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

Chrismas gatherings, Thanksgiving dinners, and spending special moments with family are some of the activities we look forward to around the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season also includes more safety risks. Fortunately, abiding by some simple recommendations and using a modern security system at your El Paso property can boost safety during the holidays.

Going out of town? Deter burglaries at your El Paso home with modern video cameras and automation

Venturing out to spend time with relatives is a holiday tradition, but leaving your El Paso home vacant increases the threat of break-ins. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems let you watch over your home regardless of where you are with innovative surveillance. You can check real-time feeds from your cameras via the smart home app on your mobile device.

Top surveillance tools take an active approach to defending your home. If someone gets too close, cameras will generate a sound or shine a light to frighten them away. Here are a few more ways you can avoid break-ins when you’re out: 

• Set lights to come on at various moments to make your house appear active
• Make sure your home security sign is noticeable
• Check to verify doors are secured and your system is armed through the home security app
• Don’t announce on social platforms that you’re traveling

Safeguard against seasonal porch pirates in El Paso

For countless families, the holidays include a steady wave of packages to the front door. Don’t attract opportunistic criminals by allowing them to sit on your stoop. Alternatively, obtain an immediate alert to your smartphone whenever a delivery appears so you know to retrieve it. 

If possible, arrange deliveries for when you’re home. Alternatively, have a neighbor collect them. You can disarm your system and open your door from your smartphone. If a person is knocking on your door, you can speak to them through your video doorbell’s 2-way talk function. 

Adhere to established fire safety during the holidays in your El Paso home 

Christmas trees, candles, homemade meals, and string lights are popular during the holidays, but they also put you at risk for fires. Here are a few tips for how to avoid them:

• Cooking fires increase during the holidays, particularlly at Thanksgiving. Keep a close eye on a crowded stovetop. Keep little ones at a distance to avoid burns. Remember to adhere to manufacturer directions when operating fryers.
• Keep Christmas trees watered and away from fireplaces and candles. Remember that trees become more flammable as they dry.
• Don’t overwhelm electrical outlets with too many lights and extension cords. Insecure connections and damaged outlets are known to spark and may lead to fires.
• Glowing candles are lovely but also dangerous around decorations and trees. Use them wisely and always extinguish flames when stepping out of a space.

Monitored fire alarms are an excellent way to improve your protection. When safety devices like carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms connect to your home security, you and your 24-hour monitoring agents will be alerted whenever an alarm goes off, whether you’re on site or away.

Remain safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in El Paso

Discover everything you need to remain safe during the holidays and all year long from Vivint. Our El Paso home security systems offer innovative features like video cameras with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored fire alarms. Contact us at (915) 465-3064 and give your family the gift of improved protection this holiday.