Keep the season merry: Find tips to ensure safety during the holidays

Chrismas gatherings, Thanksgiving feasts, and spending precious moments with loved ones are some of the things we cherish during the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season also includes an increased number of safety risks. Luckily, abiding by some simple tips and using a well-equipped security system at your Utica home can improve safety during the holidays.

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

Traveling to see relatives is an important part of the holidays, but leaving your Utica house empty increases the risk of intrusions. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems let you watch over your property regardless of your location with the latest surveillance. You may check real-time footage from your video cameras via the home security app on your mobile device.

The best surveillance systems take an active approach to safeguarding your home. If someone gets within range, cameras will generate a sound or shine a light to frighten them away. Here are serveral other ways you can avoid break-ins when you’re out: 

• Program lights to turn on at various moments to make your house seem inhabited
• Confirm that your home security yard sign is visible
• Go to your home security app to ensure doors are locked and your system armed
• Avoid announcing on social platforms that you’re traveling

Defend against seasonal porch pirates in Utica

For many families, the holidays mean a consistent stream of packages to your door. Avoid attracting prowlers by leaving them on your stoop. Instead, receive an instant notification to your phone whenever a package shows up so you are reminded to collect it. 

If possible, plan deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. Otherwise, ask a neighbor to collect them. You can open your door and disarm your system from your mobile device. If someone is at your door, you can speak to them with your video doorbell’s bi-directional talk function. 

Practice accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Utica home 

Christmas trees, candles, homemade meals, and string lights are a part of the holidays, but they also heighten your risk of fires. Here are several tips for how to avoid them:

• Cooking fires rise during the holiday season, notably at Thanksgiving. Maintain a close watch of an active stovetop. Keep little ones away to prevent burns. Remember to observe manufacturer instructions when cooking with fryers.
• Water Christmas trees and keep them a safe distance from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Keep in mind that trees grow more combustible as they dehydrate.
• Avoid overburdening electrical outlets with extension cords and lights. Improper connections and damaged outlets are known to spark and may cause fires.
• Burning candles are enchanting but also hazardous around decorations and trees. Position them thoughtfully and always blow out flames when exiting a space.

Monitored fire alarms are an excellent way to upgrade your protection. When safety devices like carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms connect to your home’s security, you and your 24-hour monitoring professionals will be notified any time an alarm goes off, whether you’re on site or not.

Stay safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Utica

Discover everything you need to remain safe during the holidays and all year round from Vivint. Our Utica smart security systems give you modern features like video cameras with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored fire alarms. Contact us at (315) 819-0721 and give your family the gift of better protection this season.