Keep the season merry: Find tips to ensure safety during the holidays
Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas gatherings, and spending quality time with loved ones are some of the activities we look forward to during the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season also includes an increased number of safety risks. Fortunately, abiding by some easy tips and using a well-equipped security system at your Binghamton property can improve safety during the holidays.
Going out of town? Deter burglaries at your Binghamton home with advanced video cameras and automation
Traveling to spend time with relatives is a holiday custom, but leaving your Binghamton home unoccupied raises the risk of break-ins. But there is an answer. Modern home security systems allow you to watch over your home no matter where you are with innovative surveillance. You may check real-time streams from your cameras via the home security app on your cell phone.
Leading surveillance devices take an active approach to safeguarding your home. If someone comes within range, cameras will generate a sound or shine a light to frighten them away. Here are a few more ways you can prevent break-ins when you’re out:
- Schedule lights to activate at various intervals to make your house seem active
- Make sure your home security yard sign is noticeable
- Check your smarphone app to ensure doors are locked and your alarm activated
- Don’t share on social networks that you’re going out of town
Defend against holiday porch pirates in Binghamton
For countless families, the holidays mean a steady wave of packages to your front door. Avoid attracting prowlers by leaving them on your stoop. Instead, obtain an instant update to your mobile device whenever a package appears so you can retrieve it.
When you can, schedule deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. Otherwise, see if a neighbor can collect them. You can deactivate your alarm and unlock your door from your phone. If someone is at your door, you can speak to them with your video doorbell’s two-way talk function.
Adhere to established fire safety during the holidays in your Binghamton home
Christmas trees, candles, homemade meals, and ornamental lights are popular during 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. Maintain a close watch of an active stovetop. Keep children at a distance to prevent burns. Always follow manufacturer guidelines when operating fryers.
- Water Christmas trees and keep them away from fireplaces and candles. Be mindful that trees become more fire-prone as they dry.
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many lights and extension cords. Insecure connections and faulty outlets are at risk of sparking and may lead to fires.
- Lit candles are lovely but also risky around decorations and trees. Place them thoughtfully and always extinguish flames when exiting a space.
Monitored fire alarms are a great way to improve your protection. When environmental sensors like carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms connect to your home’s security, you and your 24-7 monitoring agents will be notified when an alarm trips, whether you’re on site or not.
Stay safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Binghamton
Discover everything you need to keep your family safe during the holidays and all year long from Vivint. Our Binghamton smart homes include advanced features like custom automation, monitored environmental alarms and cameras with active deterrence. Contact us at (607) 600-9610 and give your loved ones the gift of improved protection this holiday.