Keep the season festive: Explore tips to improve safety during the holidays
Chrismas gatherings, Thanksgiving feasts, and spending precious moments with family are several of the things we appreciate around the holidays. It’s a time to celebrate, but the season also brings more safety risks. Thankfully, following some easy guidelines and using a modern security system at your Minneapolis residence can boost safety during the holidays.
Are you traveling? Prevent break-ins at your Minneapolis home with modern video cameras and automation
Traveling to spend time with relatives is a cherished part of the holidays, but leaving your Minneapolis house vacant ehances the risk of intrusions. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems permit you to watch over your house no matter your location with innovative surveillance. You are able to check real-time feeds from your cameras with the smart home app on your smartphone.
Leading surveillance systems take an active role in safeguarding your home. If a person gets within range, cameras will shine a light or emit a sound to send them running. Here are serveral other ways you can prevent break-ins when you’re traveling:
- Program lights to activate at various moments to make your home look occupied
- Confirm that your home security signage is noticeable
- Go to your home security app to ensure doors are locked and your alarm activated
- Avoid announcing on social platforms that you’re leaving town
Protect against seasonal porch pirates in Minneapolis
For many families, the holidays include a steady stream of packages to your door. Don’t attract thieves by letting them sit outside. Rather, obtain an instant notification to your phone whenever something arrives so you are reminded to collect it.
If possible, plan deliveries for when you’re home. Alternatively, have a neighbor bring them in. You can open your door and deactivate your alarm from your smartphone. If someone is at your door, you can communicate with them via your doorbell camera’s 2-way talk function.
Follow proper fire safety during the holidays in your Minneapolis home
Christmas trees, candles, string lights, and homemade meals are popular during the holidays, but they also put you at risk for fires. Here are several tips on how to prevent them:
- Cooking fires rise during the holidays, especially at Thanksgiving. Maintain a close watch of an active stovetop. Keep children at a distance to protect against burns. Remember to follow manufacturer directions when operating fryers.
- Keep Christmas trees hydrated and clear of fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Be mindful that trees become more flammable as they dehydrate.
- Don’t overburden electrical outlets with excessive lights and cords. Insecure connections and damaged outlets are at risk of sparking and may cause fires.
- Lit candles are beautiful but also risky around trees and other decor. Place them carefully and always extinguish flames when exiting an area.
Monitored fire alarms are a fantastic way to enhance your protection. When safety devices like fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors integrate with your property’s security, you and your dedicated monitoring agents will be notified whenever an alarm sounds, whether you’re home or away.
Stay safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Minneapolis
Get everything you need to stay safe during the holidays and every day of the year from Vivint. Our Minneapolis home security systems give you advanced features like surveillance systems with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored fire alarms. Contact us at (612) 662-1765 and give your household the gift of better security this holiday season.