Keep the season festive: Explore tips to improve safety during the holidays
Chrismas get-togethers, Thanksgiving dinners, and sharing precious moments with loved ones are a few of the things we look forward to over the holidays. It’s a time for cheer, but the season also brings an increased number of safety risks. Fortunately, following some easy guidelines and using a modern security system at your Houston residence can improve safety during the holidays.
Are you traveling? Deter break-ins at your Houston home with the latest video cameras and automation
Venturing out to spend time with relatives is a holiday custom, but leaving your Houston property unoccupied increases the risk of intrusions. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems let you keep tabs on your home regardless of your whereabouts with innovative surveillance. You can access live footage from your video cameras via the smart home app on your cell phone.
Leading surveillance devices take an active approach to safeguarding your home. If an individual gets too close, cameras will generate a sound or cast a light to send them running. Here are a few more ways you can deter invasions when you’re traveling:
- Schedule lights to come on at different moments to make your house seem occupied
- Confirm that your home security signage is in clear view
- Check to confirm doors are locked and your system is armed through the smartphone app
- Avoid sharing on social networks that you’re leaving town
Defend against seasonal porch pirates in Houston
For numerous families, the holidays mean a consistent wave of packages to your door. Don’t tempt prowlers by leaving them on your porch. Instead, receive an instant alert to your mobile device whenever a package arrives so you know to grab it.
When you can, schedule deliveries for when you’ll be present. When that’s not possible, have a neighbor collect them. You can unlock your door and disarm your system from your phone. If a person is at your door, you can communicate with them via your video doorbell’s two-way talk function.
Practice accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Houston home
Christmas trees, candles, home-cooked meals, and decorative lights are popular during the holidays, but they also heighten your risk of fires. Here are several tips on how to circumvent them:
- Kitchen fires rise during the holidays, especially at Thanksgiving. Never turn your back on an active stovetop. Keep children at a distance to prevent burns. Remember to follow manufacturer instructions when cooking with fryers.
- Keep Christmas trees hydrated and away from fireplaces and candles. Keep in mind that trees become more fire-prone as they dehydrate.
- Don’t overwhelm electrical outlets with too many lights and extension cords. Loose connections and faulty outlets are at risk of sparking and may result in fires.
- Burning candles are lovely but also risky around trees and decorations. Position them wisely and always put out flames when stepping out of an area.
Monitored fire alarms are a great way to improve your protection. When safety devices like fire alarms and CO detectors integrate with your home security, you and your dedicated monitoring professionals will be notified any time an alarm goes off, whether you’re home or not.
Remain safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Houston
Get all the equipment you need to remain safe during the holidays and all year round from Vivint. Our Houston smart homes give you innovative features like custom automation, monitored environmental alarms and video cameras with active deterrence. Give us a call at (713) 597-3506 and give your loved ones the gift of better protection this holiday season.