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

Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas parties, and spending precious moments with loved ones are several of the things we cherish over the holidays. It’s a time to celebrate, but the season also brings an increased number of safety risks. Luckily, following some simple guidelines and using a modern security system at your Johnson City property can improve safety during the holidays.

Are you traveling? Avoid break-ins at your Johnson City home with modern video cameras and automation

Traveling to visit relatives is a holiday tradition, but leaving your Johnson City house unoccupied increases the risk of burglaries. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems permit you to watch over your home regardless of where you are with advanced surveillance. You are able to check real-time feeds from your video cameras through the smart home app on your mobile device.

The best surveillance systems can actively protect your home from thieves. If a person gets within range, cameras will cast a light or produce a sound to frighten them away. Here are serveral other ways you can prevent invasions when you’re out: 

• Schedule lights to come on at different intervals to make your home seem inhabited
• Ensure your home security signage is in clear view
• Check to confirm doors are locked and your alarm is on through the smartphone app
• Don’t announce on social media that you’re leaving town

Defend against holiday porch pirates in Johnson City

For many families, the holidays bring a constant stream of packages to your front door. Don’t attract prowlers by leaving them on your porch. Instead, get an automatic alert to your phone whenever a package shows up so you are reminded to grab it. 

When you can, arrange deliveries for when you’re home. When that’s not possible, have a neighbor take them in. You can unlock your door and temporarily turn off your alarm from your phone. If a person is knocking on your door, you can speak to them with your doorbell camera’s 2-way talk function. 

Practice proper fire safety during the holidays in your Johnson City home 

Ornamental lights, candles, Christmas trees, and homemade meals are a part of the holidays, but they also put you at risk for fires. Here are a few tips on how to circumvent them:

• Cooking fires increase during the holidays, notably at Thanksgiving. Keep a close eye on a busy stovetop. Keep kids away to protect against burns. Always adhere to manufacturer guidelines when cooking with fryers.
• Keep Christmas trees hydrated and a safe distance from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Keep in mind that trees grow more fire-prone as they dry.
• Avoid overburdening electrical outlets with too many lights and extension cords. Insecure connections and older outlets are known to spark and may lead to fires.
• Burning candles are lovely but also hazardous around trees and decorations. Use them thoughtfully and always blow out flames when stepping out of an area.

Monitored fire alarms are a great way to improve your protection. When safety devices like fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors connect to your home security, you and your 24-hour monitoring specialists will know whenever an alarm goes off, whether you’re home or away.

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

Find all the equipment you need to stay safe during the holidays and all year round from Vivint. Our Johnson City smart security systems give you modern features like custom automation, monitored fire alarms and surveillance with active deterrence. Give us a call at (423) 537-4338 and give your loved ones the gift of better security this holiday season.