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

Chrismas gatherings, Thanksgiving feasts, and spending precious moments with family members are several of the activities we look forward to around the holidays. It’s a time for cheer, but the season also brings more safety risks. Thankfully, abiding by some simple guidelines and using an advanced security system at your Rockford property can boost safety during the holidays.
Leaving town? Avoid break-ins at your Rockford home with advanced video cameras and automation
Going to visit relatives is an important element of the holidays, but leaving your Rockford house empty raises the risk of break-ins. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems permit you to keep tabs on your house no matter your location with innovative surveillance. You may check live feeds from your cameras via the home security app on your smartphone.
Leading surveillance devices can even actively defend your home from prowlers. If a person gets within range, cameras will shine a light or emit a sound to scare them away. Here are some additional ways you can prevent break-ins when you’re away:
- Schedule lights to activate at various moments to make your home seem active
- Ensure your home security yard sign is visible
- Access your home security app to ensure doors are secured and your system armed
- Avoid sharing on social media that you’re going out of town
Safeguard against holiday porch pirates in Rockford
For numerous families, the holidays include a constant flow of packages to your door. Avoid attracting prowlers by leaving them on your porch. Rather, get an immediate notification to your mobile device whenever something appears so you are reminded to retrieve it.
If possible, schedule deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. Otherwise, have a neighbor collect them. You can disarm your system and open your door from your phone. If someone is at your door, you can speak to them via your video doorbell’s two-way talk function.
Follow accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Rockford home
String lights, candles, Christmas trees, and home-cooked meals are a part of the holidays, but they also increase the risk of fires. Here are several tips on how to avoid them:
- Kitchen blazes rise during the holiday season, notably at Thanksgiving. Keep a close eye on a crowded stovetop. Keep kids at a distance to avoid burns. Remember to observe manufacturer directions when cooking with fryers.
- Keep Christmas trees hydrated and clear of fireplaces and candles. Remember that trees get more combustible as they dry out.
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets with excessive lights and cords. Improper connections and damaged outlets are at risk of sparking and may result in fires.
- Burning candles are enchanting but also risky around trees and decorations. Place them carefully and always blow out flames when stepping out of a space.
Monitored fire alarms are a great way to enhance your protection. When environmental sensors like fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors link to your home’s security, you and your dedicated monitoring specialists will know any time an alarm sounds, whether you’re home or not.
Remain safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Rockford
Discover everything you need to stay safe during the holidays and all year long from Vivint. Our Rockford home security systems include innovative features like video cameras with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored fire alarms. Contact us at (815) 362-1830 and give your loved ones the gift of better security this holiday season.