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

Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas gatherings, and sharing quality time with family members are some of the activities we look forward to during the holidays. It’s a time to celebrate, but the season also brings an increased number of safety risks. Thankfully, adhering to some easy recommendations and using a well-equipped security system at your Monroe home can help ensure safety during the holidays.

Are you traveling? Prevent burglaries at your Monroe home with advanced video cameras and automation

Venturing out to see relatives is a holiday custom, but leaving your Monroe home empty increases the threat of break-ins. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems permit you to watch over your home regardless of your whereabouts with the latest surveillance. You are able to view live streams from your cameras with the home security app on your smartphone.

Top surveillance tools can even actively protect your home from prowlers. If someone creeps too close, cameras will generate a sound or cast a light to send them running. Here are a few more ways you can prevent break-ins when you’re out: 

• Schedule lights to turn on at various moments to make your home appear active
• Confirm that your home security yard sign is visible
• Check to verify doors are secured and your alarm is on through the mobile app
• Avoid announcing on social media that you’re traveling

Safeguard against seasonal porch pirates in Monroe

For numerous families, the holidays mean a consistent stream of packages to the front door. Don’t tempt prowlers by allowing them to sit on your stoop. Rather, obtain an automatic alert to your smartphone whenever something appears so you are reminded to grab it. 

Whenever possible, plan deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. Alternatively, have a neighbor take them in. You can unlock your door and temporarily deactivate your alarm from your mobile device. If a person is on your porch, you can talk to them via your video doorbell’s 2-way talk function. 

Practice accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Monroe home 

Decorative lights, candles, Christmas trees, and home-cooked meals are a part of the holidays, but they also increase the risk of fires. Here are a few tips on how to prevent them:

• Kitchen blazes increase during the holiday season, particularlly at Thanksgiving. Avoid turning your back on an active stovetop. Keep little ones at a distance to prevent burns. Always follow manufacturer guidelines when using fryers.
• Hydrate Christmas trees and keep them away from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Remember that trees get more combustible as they dehydrate.
• Avoid overtaxing electrical outlets with extension cords and lights. Improper connections and older outlets are at risk of sparking and may result in fires.
• Lit candles are lovely but also dangerous around trees and other decor. Place them thoughtfully and always put out flames when exiting an area.

Monitored fire alarms are a great way to enhance your protection. When safety devices like fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors link to your property’s security, you and your 24-hour monitoring specialists will be alerted whenever an alarm trips, whether you’re on site or not.

Remain safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Monroe

Get all the equipment you need to keep your family safe during the holidays and all year long from Vivint. Our Monroe home security systems offer advanced features like video cameras with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored environmental alarms. Contact us at (318) 758-9140 and give your household the gift of better protection this holiday.