Keep the season festive: Explore tips to improve safety during the holidays
Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas get-togethers, and enjoying precious moments with family are several of the things we look forward to around the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season also includes some unique safety risks. Fortunately, following some simple tips and using a modern security system at your Wichita Falls property can improve safety during the holidays.
Going out of town? Avoid intrusions at your Wichita Falls home with advanced video cameras and automation
Going to spend time with relatives is an important aspect of the holidays, but leaving your Wichita Falls home vacant raises the danger of break-ins. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems allow you to watch over your house no matter where you are with innovative surveillance. You can check live feeds from your cameras with the smart home app on your mobile device.
Leading surveillance tools take an active role in protecting your home. If someone comes too close, cameras will use audible and visible warnings to send them running. Here are a few more ways you can prevent intrustions when you’re out:
- Schedule lights to come on at various moments to make your house look active
- Make sure your home security signage is noticeable
- Access your smarphone app to ensure doors are secured and your alarm is set
- Don’t announce on social media that you’re traveling
Protect against Chrismastime porch pirates in Wichita Falls
For many families, the holidays include a steady wave of packages to the front door. Don’t entice thieves by allowing them to sit on your stoop. Instead, receive an instant update to your phone whenever a package shows up so you know to collect it.
Whenever possible, arrange deliveries for when you’re home. Otherwise, see if a neighbor can collect them. You can deactivate your alarm and unlock your door from your smartphone. If someone is knocking on your door, you can communicate with them via your doorbell camera’s bi-directional talk function.
Adhere to established fire safety during the holidays in your Wichita Falls home
Christmas trees, candles, ornamental lights, and family meals are common during the holidays, but they also increase the risk of fires. Here are some tips on how to circumvent them:
- Kitchen blazes escalate during the holidays, notably at Thanksgiving. Never turn your back on a crowded stovetop. Keep children at a distance to prevent burns. Remember to observe manufacturer directions when cooking with fryers.
- Hydrate Christmas trees and keep them away from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Remember that trees grow more flammable as they dry.
- Don’t overburden electrical outlets with too many lights and extension cords. Loose connections and older outlets are prone to sparks and may cause fires.
- Glowing candles are beautiful but also risky around trees and other decor. Use them carefully and always extinguish flames when stepping out of an area.
Monitored fire alarms are a great way to upgrade your protection. When safety devices like fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors link to your home’s security, you and your 24-7 monitoring professionals will be alerted whenever an alarm trips, whether you’re home or away.
Stay safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Wichita Falls
Find everything you need to remain safe during the holidays and all year long from Vivint. Our Wichita Falls home security systems offer advanced features like custom automation, monitored fire alarms and video cameras with active deterrence. Give us a call at (940) 209-1266 and give your loved ones the gift of improved protection this season.