Keep the season festive: Explore tips to improve safety during the holidays

Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas gatherings, and enjoying quality time with family members are some of the traditions we appreciate over the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season also brings some unique safety risks. Thankfully, following some basic tips and using an advanced security system at your Champaign property can boost safety during the holidays.

Leaving town? Prevent break-ins at your Champaign home with modern video cameras and automation

Going to spend time with relatives is an important part of the holidays, but leaving your Champaign house vacant raises the danger of break-ins. But there is a solution. Modern home security systems let you watch over your house no matter your location with the latest surveillance. You are able to access live footage from your cameras through the smart home app on your mobile device.

Top surveillance tools can even actively protect your home from prowlers. If an individual comes too close, cameras will use audible and visible deterrences to scare them away. Here are serveral other ways you can prevent break-ins when you’re out: 

• Program lights to come on at various intervals to make your home look occupied
• Ensure your home security signage is in clear view
• Make sure doors are locked and your alarm is on through the mobile app
• Avoid broadcasting on social media that you’re traveling

Defend against seasonal porch pirates in Champaign

For numerous families, the holidays mean a consistent flow of packages to the front door. Avoid enticing prowlers by allowing them to sit on your porch. Rather, get an automatic notification to your phone whenever something appears so you know to collect it. 

When you can, plan deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. Otherwise, have a neighbor take them in. You can turn off your alarm and unlock your door from your phone. If a person is at your door, you can communicate with them through your video doorbell’s 2-way talk function. 

Practice accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Champaign home 

Decorative lights, candles, Christmas trees, and home-cooked meals are popular during the holidays, but they also heighten your risk of fires. Here are a few tips on how to prevent them:

• Kitchen fires rise during the holiday season, especially at Thanksgiving. Avoid turning your back on an active stovetop. Keep children clear of hot burners to protect against burns. Remember to observe manufacturer instructions when using fryers.
• Keep Christmas trees hydrated and a safe distance from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Be mindful that trees become more fire-prone as they dry.
• Don’t overburden electrical outlets with too many lights and extension cords. Improper connections and damaged outlets are at risk of sparking and may lead to fires.
• Glowing candles are beautiful but also hazardous around trees and decorations. Position them thoughtfully and always put out flames when leaving a space.

Monitored fire alarms are a great way to enhance your protection. When safety devices like fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors connect to your home security, you and your 24-hour monitoring specialists will be notified any time an alarm sounds, whether you’re on site or not.

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

Find all the equipment you need to keep your family safe during the holidays and every day of the year from Vivint. Our Champaign home security systems give you modern features like custom automation, monitored environmental alarms and surveillance with active deterrence. Give us a call at (217) 759-1212 and give your household the gift of better protection this holiday.