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

Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas get-togethers, and spending special moments with family members are a few of the things we appreciate around the holidays. It’s a time for cheer, but the season also brings some unique safety risks. Fortunately, adhering to some basic guidelines and using a well-equipped security system at your Syracuse property can help ensure safety during the holidays.

Going out of town? Prevent intrusions at your Syracuse home with the latest video cameras and automation

Venturing out to see relatives is a holiday custom, but leaving your Syracuse property vacant raises the risk of burglaries. But there is a solution. Modern home security systems let you watch over your home regardless of your location with advanced surveillance. You may access live feeds from your cameras with the smart home app on your smartphone.

Top surveillance systems can even actively defend your home from thieves. If someone comes too close, cameras will shine a light or generate a sound to send them running. Here are serveral other ways you can prevent intrustions when you’re away: 

• Program lights to turn on at various times to make your home look inhabited
• Make sure your home security signage is in clear view
• Check your smarphone app to ensure doors are locked and your alarm activated
• Don’t share on social platforms that you’re going out of town

Defend against holiday porch pirates in Syracuse

For many families, the holidays include a constant wave of packages to your front door. Don’t entice opportunistic criminals by letting them sit outside. Rather, receive an instant alert to your mobile device whenever something arrives so you are reminded to collect it. 

When you can, arrange deliveries for when you’ll be present. Otherwise, have a neighbor bring them in. You can disarm your system and unlock your door from your smartphone. If a person is on your porch, you can speak to them through your doorbell camera’s two-way talk function. 

Practice accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Syracuse home 

Ornamental lights, candles, Christmas trees, and family meals are popular during the holidays, but they also put you at risk for fires. Here are some tips on how to circumvent them:

• Cooking fires escalate during the holiday season, notably at Thanksgiving. Avoid turning your back on a busy stovetop. Keep children at a distance to avoid burns. Remember to follow manufacturer guidelines when cooking with fryers.
• Hydrate Christmas trees and keep them away from fireplaces and candles. Be mindful that trees get more fire-prone as they dry.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many lights and extension cords. Improper connections and damaged outlets are prone to sparks and may lead to fires.
• Burning candles are lovely but also dangerous around decorations and trees. Use them carefully and always put out flames when stepping out of an area.

Monitored fire alarms are an excellent way to improve your protection. When sensors like carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms connect to your property’s security, you and your dedicated monitoring professionals will know when an alarm goes off, whether you’re there or away.

Keep your family safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Syracuse

Discover everything you need to stay safe during the holidays and every day of the year from Vivint. Our Syracuse smart homes offer advanced features like cameras with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored fire alarms. Contact us at (315) 971-4719 and give your loved ones the gift of better protection this season.