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

Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas gatherings, and sharing quality time with loved ones are several of the things we appreciate around the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season also includes an increased number of safety risks. Thankfully, following some simple recommendations and using an advanced security system at your Bellingham home can boost safety during the holidays.

Leaving town? Avoid break-ins at your Bellingham home with modern video cameras and automation

Traveling to spend time with relatives is an important part of the holidays, but leaving your Bellingham house empty raises the risk of intrusions. But there is a solution. Modern home security systems permit you to watch over your home regardless of your location with advanced surveillance. You may check real-time feeds from your video cameras with the smart home app on your cell phone.

Top surveillance tools take an active approach to protecting your home. If a person comes within range, cameras will shine a light or generate a sound to scare them away. Here are some additional ways you can prevent break-ins when you’re traveling: 

• Program lights to come on at different moments to make your house appear occupied
• Make sure your home security sign is visible
• Check to confirm doors are secured and your alarm is on through the home security app
• Don’t announce on social networks that you’re leaving town

Protect against Chrismastime porch pirates in Bellingham

For numerous families, the holidays mean a consistent flow of packages to your front door. Avoid enticing opportunistic criminals by letting them sit on your porch. Alternatively, receive an immediate update to your mobile device whenever a package appears so you can collect it. 

If possible, plan deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. Alternatively, see if a neighbor can take them in. You can unlock your door and disarm your system from your smartphone. If a person is knocking on your door, you can talk to them with your video doorbell’s bi-directional talk function. 

Adhere to proper fire safety during the holidays in your Bellingham home 

String lights, candles, Christmas trees, and family meals 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 holiday season, particularlly at Thanksgiving. Don’t turn your back on an active stovetop. Keep children away to protect against burns. Be sure to observe manufacturer guidelines when cooking with fryers.
• Hydrate Christmas trees and keep them clear of fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Be mindful that trees grow more combustible as they dry out.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many lights and extension cords. Loose connections and faulty outlets are known to spark and may lead to fires.
• Burning candles are lovely but also dangerous around decorations and trees. Use them thoughtfully and always extinguish flames when exiting a room.

Monitored fire alarms are a fantastic way to upgrade your protection. When environmental sensors like carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms link to your home security, you and your dedicated monitoring specialists will be alerted any time an alarm sounds, whether you’re there or not.

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

Find all the tools you need to stay safe during the holidays and all year long from Vivint. Our Bellingham smart security systems include innovative features like custom automation, monitored environmental alarms and surveillance with active deterrence. Give us a call at (360) 968-8970 and give your family the gift of better security this holiday season.