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

Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, and enjoying quality time with family are several of the activities we appreciate around the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season has an increased number of safety risks. Thankfully, abiding by some simple guidelines and using a well-equipped security system at your Boulder home can improve safety during the holidays.

Leaving town? Prevent break-ins at your Boulder home with the latest video cameras and automation

Venturing out to spend time with relatives is a holiday tradition, but leaving your Boulder home unoccupied raises the risk of break-ins. But there is an answer. Modern home security systems allow you to monitor your property regardless of your whereabouts with advanced surveillance. You can view live feeds from your video cameras with the home security app on your cell phone.

The best surveillance devices can actively safeguard your home from prowlers. If someone comes within range, cameras will use visible and audible warnings to scare them away. Here are some additional ways you can prevent invasions when you’re away: 

• Schedule lights to activate at various moments to make your home seem inhabited
• Ensure your home security sign is in clear view
• Go to your smarphone app to ensure doors are locked and your alarm activated
• Don’t broadcast on social media that you’re leaving town

Safeguard against holiday porch pirates in Boulder

For countless families, the holidays include a consistent wave of packages to the front door. Avoid tempting opportunistic criminals by letting them sit on your stoop. Instead, get an instant notification to your phone whenever a delivery shows up so you can grab it. 

When you can, schedule deliveries for when you’re home. Otherwise, have a neighbor collect them. You can turn off your alarm and unlock your door from your phone. If a person is on your porch, you can talk to them with your doorbell camera’s bi-directional talk function. 

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

Christmas trees, candles, ornamental lights, and homemade meals are a part of the holidays, but they also heighten your risk of fires. Here are several tips for how to circumvent them:

• Kitchen fires escalate during the holidays, especially at Thanksgiving. Never turn your back on a crowded stovetop. Keep little ones away to prevent burns. Always follow manufacturer instructions when operating fryers.
• Keep Christmas trees hydrated and clear of fireplaces and candles. Remember that trees get more combustible as they dehydrate.
• Avoid overburdening electrical outlets with excessive lights and cords. Insecure connections and damaged outlets are known to spark and may cause fires.
• Lit candles are lovely but also risky around decorations and trees. Position them carefully and always extinguish flames when stepping out of a room.

Monitored fire alarms are a fantastic way to upgrade your protection. When safety devices like carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms integrate with your home security, you and your 24-7 monitoring professionals will be notified any time an alarm goes off, whether you’re there or away.

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

Discover all the equipment you need to stay safe during the holidays and every day of the year from Vivint. Our Boulder smart security systems include innovative features like cameras with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored environmental alarms. Contact us at (720) 807-9203 and give your loved ones the gift of better protection this holiday.