Keep the season festive: Explore tips to improve safety during the holidays

Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, and spending precious moments with family are some of the traditions we look forward to around the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season also includes more safety risks. Thankfully, following some easy recommendations and using a modern security system at your Charlottesville home can help ensure safety during the holidays.
Leaving town? Avoid intrusions at your Charlottesville home with modern video cameras and automation
Traveling to spend time with relatives is an important aspect of the holidays, but leaving your Charlottesville house empty ehances the threat of burglaries. But there is an answer. Modern home security systems permit you to monitor your house no matter your location with innovative surveillance. You can view real-time streams from your video cameras through the home security app on your smartphone.
The best surveillance systems take an active approach to defending your home. If someone creeps too close, cameras will use audible and visible warnings to scare them away. Here are serveral other ways you can prevent break-ins when you’re away:
- Program lights to activate at various intervals to make your house seem inhabited
- Confirm that your home security sign is visible
- Access your home security app to ensure doors are secured and your system armed
- Don’t announce on social media that you’re traveling
Defend against Chrismastime porch pirates in Charlottesville
For numerous families, the holidays mean a constant wave of packages to your front door. Avoid attracting prowlers by letting them sit outside. Rather, get an automatic update to your phone whenever a package arrives so you know to grab it.
Whenever possible, arrange deliveries for when you’ll be present. Otherwise, see if a neighbor can collect them. You can open your door and temporarily disarm your system from your mobile device. If somebody is knocking on your door, you can talk to them via your video doorbell’s two-way talk function.
Practice established fire safety during the holidays in your Charlottesville home
Decorative lights, candles, Christmas trees, and homemade meals are a part of the holidays, but they also heighten your risk of fires. Here are several tips for how to prevent them:
- Kitchen blazes rise during the holidays, notably at Thanksgiving. Always keep tabs on a busy stovetop. Keep little ones away to prevent burns. Always follow manufacturer instructions when operating fryers.
- Keep Christmas trees hydrated and away from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Remember that trees get more combustible as they dehydrate.
- Avoid overburdening electrical outlets with extension cords and lights. Insecure connections and older outlets are at risk of sparking and may lead to fires.
- Lit candles are enchanting but also dangerous around trees and decorations. Use them thoughtfully and always put out flames when leaving a room.
Monitored fire alarms are an excellent way to enhance your protection. When environmental sensors like CO detectors and fire alarms connect to your home security, you and your dedicated monitoring professionals will be notified when an alarm goes off, whether you’re there or not.
Stay safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Charlottesville
Discover all the tools you need to remain safe during the holidays and all year round from Vivint. Our Charlottesville smart homes include advanced features like custom automation, monitored fire alarms and cameras with active deterrence. Contact us at (434) 404-5302 and give your household the gift of better security this season.