Keep the season merry: Find tips to ensure safety during the holidays

Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas get-togethers, and sharing quality time with family members are a few of the traditions we look forward to over the holidays. It’s a time for cheer, but the season also includes an increased number of safety risks. Fortunately, adhering to some easy guidelines and using an advanced security system at your Richmond home can help ensure safety during the holidays.

Leaving town? Avoid break-ins at your Richmond home with the latest video cameras and automation

Venturing out to spend time with relatives is a big element of the holidays, but leaving your Richmond house empty increases the risk of break-ins. But there is a solution. Modern home security systems allow you to monitor your home regardless of where you are with innovative surveillance. You are able to check real-time streams from your video cameras via the home security app on your cell phone.

The best surveillance devices take an active role in defending your home. If someone gets too close, cameras will use visible and audible deterrences to frighten them away. Here are a few more ways you can deter break-ins when you’re out: 

• Program lights to turn on at various intervals to make your house appear active
• Ensure your home security yard sign is noticeable
• Make sure doors are locked and your system is armed through the smartphone app
• Avoid sharing on social media that you’re traveling

Safeguard against Chrismastime porch pirates in Richmond

For numerous families, the holidays include a constant flow of packages to the front door. Avoid tempting prowlers by leaving them on your stoop. Rather, get an immediate alert to your smartphone whenever something arrives so you can collect it. 

When you can, plan deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. When that’s not possible, ask a neighbor to take them in. You can disarm your system and open your door from your mobile device. If a person is knocking on your door, you can communicate with them with your video doorbell’s bi-directional talk function. 

Practice accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Richmond home 

Christmas trees, candles, family meals, and decorative lights are common during the holidays, but they also heighten your risk of fires. Here are several tips on how to circumvent them:

• Cooking fires increase during the holidays, particularlly at Thanksgiving. Never turn your back on a crowded stovetop. Keep kids at a distance to avoid burns. Be sure to follow manufacturer instructions when cooking with fryers.
• Water Christmas trees and keep them a safe distance from fireplaces and candles. Remember that trees become more combustible as they dry.
• Don’t overwhelm electrical outlets with too many lights and extension cords. Loose connections and damaged outlets are at risk of sparking and may lead to fires.
• Burning candles are lovely but also hazardous around decorations and trees. Place them carefully and always extinguish flames when stepping out of a room.

Monitored fire alarms are an excellent way to enhance your protection. When safety devices like fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors connect to your property’s security, you and your dedicated monitoring agents will be notified any time an alarm goes off, whether you’re there or not.

Stay safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Richmond

Find all the equipment you need to keep your family safe during the holidays and all year round from Vivint. Our Richmond smart homes offer innovative features like cameras with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored fire alarms. Contact us at (804) 534-2782 and give your household the gift of better security this season.