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

Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas parties, and enjoying quality time with family members are several of the traditions we cherish during the holidays. It’s a time to celebrate, but the season also brings more safety risks. Fortunately, adhering to some easy recommendations and using a modern security system at your Mesa residence can help ensure safety during the holidays.

Leaving town? Deter intrusions at your Mesa home with advanced video cameras and automation

Venturing out to see relatives is an important part of the holidays, but leaving your Mesa home vacant increases the risk of break-ins. But there is a solution. Modern home security systems permit you to watch over your home no matter your whereabouts with the latest surveillance. You are able to view live footage from your cameras with the home security app on your mobile device.

The best surveillance systems can even actively defend your home from trespassers. If someone comes within range, cameras will emit a sound or beam a light to frighten them away. Here are some additional ways you can avoid break-ins when you’re out: 

• Set lights to come on at various moments to make your home appear active
• Make sure your home security signage is visible
• Go to your smarphone app to ensure doors are locked and your system armed
• Avoid broadcasting on social platforms that you’re going out of town

Protect against Chrismastime porch pirates in Mesa

For numerous families, the holidays mean a consistent stream of packages to the front door. Avoid attracting prowlers by letting them sit on your stoop. Rather, get an instant update to your phone whenever a package shows up so you know to collect it. 

Whenever possible, plan deliveries for when you’re home. When that’s not possible, have a neighbor collect them. You can open your door and temporarily disarm your system from your phone. If a person is at your door, you can speak to them via your video doorbell’s two-way talk function. 

Follow accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Mesa home 

Christmas trees, candles, ornamental lights, and home-cooked meals are popular during the holidays, but they also increase the risk of fires. Here are a few tips on how to circumvent them:

• Cooking fires rise during the holidays, notably at Thanksgiving. Avoid turning your back on a crowded stovetop. Keep kids away to avoid burns. Be sure to observe manufacturer instructions when operating fryers.
• Keep Christmas trees watered and a safe distance from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Remember that trees get more fire-prone as they dry.
• Don’t overload electrical outlets with excessive lights and cords. Insecure connections and faulty outlets are prone to sparks and may cause fires.
• Lit candles are lovely but also dangerous around trees and other decor. Place them carefully and always extinguish flames when leaving a room.

Monitored fire alarms are a great way to enhance your protection. When sensors like carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms connect to your home’s security, you and your 24-7 monitoring specialists will be notified any time an alarm trips, whether you’re there or not.

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

Get all the tools you need to keep your family safe during the holidays and every day of the year from Vivint. Our Mesa smart security systems give you advanced features like surveillance systems with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored environmental alarms. Reach us at (480) 568-6350 and give your household the gift of improved protection this season.