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

Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas parties, and enjoying precious moments with family are several of the activities we appreciate around the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season has some unique safety risks. Fortunately, abiding by some easy recommendations and using an advanced security system at your Hoover residence can help ensure safety during the holidays.

Are you traveling? Deter break-ins at your Hoover home with modern video cameras and automation

Going to spend time with relatives is a big aspect of the holidays, but leaving your Hoover house unoccupied raises the threat of intrusions. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems let you monitor your home regardless of your whereabouts with advanced surveillance. You are able to check live streams from your video cameras through the smart home app on your cell phone.

Top surveillance devices can even actively protect your home from prowlers. If someone comes too close, cameras will produce a sound or shine a light to scare them away. Here are serveral other ways you can avoid intrustions when you’re out: 

• Program lights to activate at various moments to make your home appear inhabited
• Confirm that your home security sign is visible
• Make sure doors are locked and your alarm is set through the home security app
• Avoid broadcasting on social platforms that you’re going out of town

Protect against Chrismastime porch pirates in Hoover

For numerous families, the holidays include a constant flow of packages to the front door. Don’t attract opportunistic criminals by letting them sit on your porch. Instead, get an automatic alert to your smartphone whenever a package shows up so you know to retrieve it. 

If possible, arrange deliveries for when you’ll be present. Otherwise, ask a neighbor to collect them. You can unlock your door and temporarily turn off your alarm from your smartphone. If somebody is on your porch, you can communicate with them with your video doorbell’s two-way talk function. 

Practice established fire safety during the holidays in your Hoover home 

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

• Cooking fires escalate during the holidays, notably at Thanksgiving. Don’t turn your back on a crowded stovetop. Keep kids away to avoid burns. Remember to observe manufacturer instructions when cooking with fryers.
• Water Christmas trees and keep them away from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Be mindful that trees become more combustible as they dry.
• Don’t overload electrical outlets with extension cords and lights. Loose connections and damaged outlets are at risk of sparking and may result in fires.
• Glowing candles are beautiful but also hazardous around trees and other decor. Place them carefully and always put out flames when exiting a space.

Monitored fire alarms are a great way to enhance your protection. When sensors like fire alarms and CO detectors integrate with your home’s security, you and your 24-7 monitoring professionals will know whenever an alarm sounds, whether you’re there or away.

Remain safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Hoover

Discover all the equipment you need to stay safe during the holidays and all year long from Vivint. Our Hoover smart homes give you modern features like custom automation, monitored environmental alarms and cameras with active deterrence. Give us a call at (205) 898-6989 and give your household the gift of improved protection this holiday season.