Keep the season full of cheer: Discover tips to boost safety during the holidays
Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, and enjoying precious moments with loved ones are several of the traditions we look forward to around the holidays. It’s a time to celebrate, but the season also brings some unique safety risks. Thankfully, adhering to some basic recommendations and using an advanced security system at your Evanston property can help ensure safety during the holidays.
Are you traveling? Avoid break-ins at your Evanston home with the latest video cameras and automation
Venturing out to spend time with relatives is an important element of the holidays, but leaving your Evanston house unoccupied raises the threat of break-ins. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems permit you to watch over your house regardless of your location with innovative surveillance. You can access real-time feeds from your cameras through the smart home app on your mobile device.
Leading surveillance tools take an active approach to protecting your home. If someone creeps within range, cameras will cast a light or generate a sound to frighten them away. Here are some additional ways you can avoid intrustions when you’re traveling:
- Schedule lights to come on at different moments to make your house appear inhabited
- Ensure your home security signage is visible
- Check your smarphone app to ensure doors are secured and your alarm activated
- Don’t broadcast on social networks that you’re going out of town
Protect against holiday porch pirates in Evanston
For numerous families, the holidays bring a steady flow of packages to your front door. Avoid enticing prowlers by allowing them to sit outside. Rather, get an automatic alert to your mobile device whenever something arrives so you can retrieve it.
Whenever possible, arrange deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. Alternatively, ask a neighbor to bring them in. You can deactivate your alarm and unlock your door from your phone. If somebody is on your porch, you can communicate with them through your video doorbell’s 2-way talk function.
Practice established fire safety during the holidays in your Evanston home
Christmas trees, candles, home-cooked meals, and ornamental lights are common during the holidays, but they also put you at risk for fires. Here are a few tips on how to prevent them:
- Kitchen fires increase during the holidays, especially at Thanksgiving. Avoid turning your back on a crowded stovetop. Keep kids clear of hot burners to prevent burns. Be sure to follow manufacturer directions when operating fryers.
- Hydrate Christmas trees and keep them a safe distance from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Keep in mind that trees get more combustible as they dry.
- Don’t overload electrical outlets with excessive lights and cords. Improper connections and older outlets are known to spark and may result in fires.
- Glowing candles are beautiful but also hazardous around trees and other decor. Use them carefully and always put out flames when leaving a room.
Monitored fire alarms are a fantastic way to upgrade your protection. When safety devices like fire alarms and CO detectors link to your home security, you and your 24-7 monitoring professionals will know whenever an alarm goes off, whether you’re there or not.
Stay safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Evanston
Discover everything you need to remain safe during the holidays and every day of the year from Vivint. Our Evanston smart homes include innovative features like custom automation, monitored fire alarms and cameras with active deterrence. Contact us at (847) 925-7636 and give your loved ones the gift of improved protection this season.