Keep the season merry: Find tips to ensure safety during the holidays
Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas parties, and spending precious moments with family members are a few of the things we look forward to around the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season also includes more safety risks. Fortunately, abiding by some easy recommendations and using a modern security system at your Charleston home can help ensure safety during the holidays.
Going out of town? Prevent intrusions at your Charleston home with advanced video cameras and automation
Venturing out to visit relatives is a holiday custom, but leaving your Charleston home empty raises the risk of intrusions. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems allow you to watch over your property no matter your location with the latest surveillance. You may access real-time streams from your cameras through the smart home app on your cell phone.
Leading surveillance tools take an active role in defending your home. If a person comes within range, cameras will generate a sound or beam a light to send them running. Here are some additional ways you can avoid invasions when you’re out:
- Program lights to come on at various intervals to make your house seem active
- Ensure your home security signage is noticeable
- Go to your cell phone app to ensure doors are secured and your alarm activated
- Don’t announce on social media that you’re going out of town
Protect against holiday porch pirates in Charleston
For many families, the holidays include a constant wave of packages to your front door. Avoid enticing thieves by allowing them to sit outside. Alternatively, get an immediate update to your phone whenever a package appears so you can retrieve it.
When you can, arrange deliveries for when you’re home. Alternatively, ask a neighbor to bring them in. You can unlock your door and temporarily disarm your system from your smartphone. If somebody is knocking on your door, you can speak to them via your video doorbell’s bi-directional talk function.
Adhere to accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Charleston home
Decorative lights, candles, Christmas trees, and home-cooked meals are popular during the holidays, but they also put you at risk for fires. Here are several tips on how to prevent them:
- Kitchen blazes increase during the holiday season, notably at Thanksgiving. Always keep tabs on a busy stovetop. Keep little ones clear of hot burners to protect against burns. Remember to follow manufacturer guidelines when operating fryers.
- Keep Christmas trees hydrated and away from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Keep in mind that trees grow more flammable as they dry out.
- Don’t overload electrical outlets with extension cords and lights. Loose connections and damaged outlets are at risk of sparking and may cause fires.
- Glowing candles are beautiful but also dangerous around trees and other decor. Use them wisely and always extinguish flames when leaving an area.
Monitored fire alarms are a fantastic way to enhance your protection. When safety devices like fire alarms and CO detectors connect to your home’s security, you and your 24-hour monitoring specialists will be notified when an alarm trips, whether you’re on site or away.
Stay safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Charleston
Find all the tools you need to keep your family safe during the holidays and every day of the year from Vivint. Our Charleston smart security systems offer modern features like cameras with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored fire alarms. Contact us at (304) 902-6244 and give your household the gift of improved protection this holiday.