Keep the season full of cheer: Discover tips to boost safety during the holidays

Chrismas parties, Thanksgiving feasts, and sharing quality time with family members are a few of the traditions we look forward to during the holidays. It’s a time for cheer, but the season also includes an increased number of safety risks. Luckily, adhering to some easy tips and using a well-equipped security system at your Gaithersburg property can improve safety during the holidays.

Are you traveling? Avoid burglaries at your Gaithersburg home with advanced video cameras and automation

Traveling to visit relatives is a holiday custom, but leaving your Gaithersburg house vacant raises the danger of break-ins. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems permit you to monitor your house regardless of where you are with innovative surveillance. You may view real-time footage from your video cameras via the home security app on your smartphone.

Top surveillance tools take an active approach to defending your home. If someone gets within range, cameras will shine a light or produce a sound to frighten them away. Here are serveral other ways you can avoid intrustions when you’re traveling: 

• Schedule lights to activate at various times to make your house look occupied
• Make sure your home security sign is in clear view
• Access your home security app to ensure doors are secured and your alarm activated
• Avoid sharing on social media that you’re traveling

Defend against seasonal porch pirates in Gaithersburg

For countless families, the holidays bring a constant wave of packages to your door. Don’t attract thieves by letting them sit outside. Instead, obtain an instant alert to your mobile device whenever a delivery shows up so you can grab it. 

When you can, schedule deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. Otherwise, ask a neighbor to take them in. You can open your door and disarm your system from your phone. If somebody is knocking on your door, you can speak to them through your doorbell camera’s bi-directional talk function. 

Adhere to accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Gaithersburg home 

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

• Cooking fires escalate during the holiday season, especially at Thanksgiving. Keep a close eye on an active stovetop. Keep little ones at a distance to protect against burns. Remember to follow manufacturer directions when cooking with fryers.
• Water Christmas trees and keep them away from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Remember that trees become more fire-prone as they dry out.
• Don’t overburden electrical outlets with extension cords and lights. Loose connections and damaged outlets are at risk of sparking and may cause fires.
• Lit candles are enchanting but also dangerous around trees and other decor. Use them wisely and always extinguish flames when exiting a room.

Monitored fire alarms are a great way to upgrade your protection. When safety devices like carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms connect to your property’s security, you and your dedicated monitoring professionals will be alerted whenever an alarm goes off, whether you’re home or away.

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

Find everything you need to remain safe during the holidays and every day of the year from Vivint. Our Gaithersburg smart homes give you advanced features like surveillance systems with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored fire alarms. Contact us at (301) 923-4670 and give your household the gift of better protection this season.