Keep the season full of cheer: Discover tips to boost safety during the holidays

Chrismas parties, Thanksgiving feasts, and spending precious moments with family are several of the activities we look forward to around the holidays. It’s a time for cheer, but the season also brings an increased number of safety risks. Luckily, adhering to some simple guidelines and using a modern security system at your Rochester home can boost safety during the holidays.

Are you traveling? Deter intrusions at your Rochester home with advanced video cameras and automation

Traveling to visit relatives is a holiday custom, but leaving your Rochester home vacant increases the risk of break-ins. But there is a solution. Modern home security systems let you keep tabs on your property regardless of your location with advanced surveillance. You are able to view live footage from your cameras with the home security app on your cell phone.

Leading surveillance tools can even actively protect your home from thieves. If an individual gets within range, cameras will use audible and visible cues to frighten them away. Here are a few more ways you can deter intrustions when you’re away: 

• Set lights to turn on at different intervals to make your home look active
• Ensure your home security signage is noticeable
• Check to confirm doors are secured and your alarm is set through the mobile app
• Avoid broadcasting on social networks that you’re leaving town

Protect against Chrismastime porch pirates in Rochester

For many families, the holidays mean a consistent flow of packages to the front door. Don’t entice opportunistic criminals by leaving them on your stoop. Instead, obtain an immediate alert to your smartphone whenever a delivery appears so you can collect it. 

If possible, schedule deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. When that’s not possible, see if a neighbor can take them in. You can open your door and temporarily disarm your system from your mobile device. If someone is on your porch, you can talk to them via your video doorbell’s bi-directional talk function. 

Practice proper fire safety during the holidays in your Rochester home 

Christmas trees, candles, string lights, and family meals are popular during the holidays, but they also increase the risk of fires. Here are a few tips on how to prevent them:

• Cooking fires increase during the holiday season, particularlly at Thanksgiving. Never turn your back on a busy stovetop. Keep children away to avoid burns. Always adhere to manufacturer instructions when operating fryers.
• Keep Christmas trees watered and away from fireplaces and candles. Remember that trees get more combustible as they dry.
• Avoid overtaxing electrical outlets with extension cords and lights. Insecure connections and older outlets are known to spark and may result in fires.
• Glowing candles are lovely but also dangerous around decorations and trees. Use them wisely and always blow out flames when stepping out of a space.

Monitored fire alarms are an excellent way to upgrade your protection. When environmental sensors like CO detectors and fire alarms link to your property’s security, you and your dedicated monitoring agents will know any time an alarm trips, whether you’re on site or not.

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

Get everything you need to keep your family safe during the holidays and all year round from Vivint. Our Rochester smart security systems offer modern features like cameras with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored environmental alarms. Reach us at (507) 710-3863 and give your household the gift of better protection this holiday season.