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

Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas parties, and spending quality time with family are some of the traditions we cherish during the holidays. It’s a time for cheer, but the season also brings an increased number of safety risks. Luckily, following some easy guidelines and using an advanced security system at your Hammond home can improve safety during the holidays.

Are you traveling? Deter burglaries at your Hammond home with advanced video cameras and automation

Venturing out to spend time with relatives is a holiday custom, but leaving your Hammond property unoccupied increases the risk of break-ins. But there is a solution. Modern home security systems permit you to watch over your house no matter your whereabouts with advanced surveillance. You can check live footage from your video cameras via the home security app on your smartphone.

Leading surveillance tools take an active approach to safeguarding your home. If someone creeps too close, cameras will shine a light or generate a sound to frighten them away. Here are a few more ways you can deter invasions when you’re traveling: 

• Set lights to come on at different times to make your home look occupied
• Make sure your home security signage is visible
• Check your smarphone app to ensure doors are secured and your alarm is set
• Avoid broadcasting on social platforms that you’re going out of town

Safeguard against seasonal porch pirates in Hammond

For numerous families, the holidays include a steady wave of packages to your front door. Avoid enticing thieves by leaving them on your porch. Alternatively, get an immediate update to your mobile device whenever a delivery shows up so you know to grab it. 

When you can, plan deliveries for when you’ll be present. When that’s not possible, ask a neighbor to take them in. You can turn off your alarm and open your door from your smartphone. If somebody is at your door, you can talk to them through your video doorbell’s 2-way talk function. 

Follow accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Hammond home 

Christmas trees, candles, homemade meals, and ornamental lights are a part of the holidays, but they also increase the risk of fires. Here are some tips for how to prevent them:

• Kitchen fires rise during the holidays, particularlly at Thanksgiving. Don’t turn your back on an active stovetop. Keep kids at a distance to protect against burns. Always follow manufacturer instructions when cooking with fryers.
• Water Christmas trees and keep them a safe distance from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Be mindful that trees get more flammable as they dehydrate.
• Avoid overburdening electrical outlets with excessive lights and cords. Insecure connections and damaged outlets are known to spark and may lead to fires.
• Lit candles are enchanting but also hazardous around decorations and trees. Place them carefully and always put out flames when exiting a space.

Monitored fire alarms are a great way to enhance your protection. When environmental sensors like CO detectors and fire alarms connect to your property’s security, you and your dedicated monitoring specialists will know any time an alarm trips, whether you’re on site or not.

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

Get all the equipment you need to stay safe during the holidays and every day of the year from Vivint. Our Hammond smart homes include modern features like custom automation, monitored fire alarms and cameras with active deterrence. Give us a call at (219) 500-8943 and give your loved ones the gift of improved protection this holiday season.