Keep the season full of cheer: Discover tips to boost safety during the holidays
Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, and enjoying quality time with loved ones are a few of the traditions we look forward to around the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season also brings more safety risks. Luckily, abiding by some simple guidelines and using a well-equipped security system at your State College residence can boost safety during the holidays.
Are you traveling? Deter burglaries at your State College home with advanced video cameras and automation
Going to spend time with relatives is a holiday tradition, but leaving your State College house unoccupied raises the risk of break-ins. But there is a solution. Modern home security systems let you monitor your house regardless of where you are with advanced surveillance. You can view live streams from your video cameras via the home security app on your cell phone.
Leading surveillance devices take an active role in protecting your home. If an individual comes within range, cameras will beam a light or emit a sound to send them running. Here are a few more ways you can prevent break-ins when you’re away:
- Program lights to turn on at various intervals to make your home look inhabited
- Confirm that your home security sign is noticeable
- Check to confirm doors are locked and your system is armed through the home security app
- Avoid sharing on social platforms that you’re going out of town
Safeguard against holiday porch pirates in State College
For countless families, the holidays bring a constant stream of packages to the front door. Avoid attracting prowlers by letting them sit outside. Alternatively, get an automatic notification to your smartphone whenever something arrives so you are reminded to retrieve it.
If possible, plan deliveries for when you’ll be present. When that’s not possible, have a neighbor bring them in. You can disarm your system and unlock your door from your smartphone. If someone is on your porch, you can talk to them through your doorbell camera’s bi-directional talk function.
Practice established fire safety during the holidays in your State College home
Christmas trees, candles, decorative lights, and family meals are popular during the holidays, but they also put you at risk for fires. Here are a few tips on how to prevent them:
- Kitchen blazes increase during the holidays, notably at Thanksgiving. Keep a close eye on a busy stovetop. Keep kids at a distance to protect against burns. Always observe manufacturer directions when operating fryers.
- Keep Christmas trees watered and away from fireplaces and candles. Remember that trees grow more flammable as they dry.
- Don’t overburden electrical outlets with extension cords and lights. Loose connections and faulty outlets are prone to sparks and may result in fires.
- Glowing candles are lovely but also risky around trees and other decor. Position them thoughtfully and always extinguish flames when exiting a space.
Monitored fire alarms are a great way to improve your protection. When safety devices like CO detectors and fire alarms integrate with your home security, you and your dedicated monitoring specialists will be alerted whenever an alarm sounds, whether you’re home or not.
Keep your family safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in State College
Find all the equipment you need to remain safe during the holidays and all year round from Vivint. Our State College home security systems include advanced features like video cameras with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored environmental alarms. Contact us at (814) 752-4276 and give your loved ones the gift of better security this holiday season.