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

Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas get-togethers, and sharing precious moments with family are some of the activities we appreciate around the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season also brings some unique safety risks. Thankfully, abiding by some basic recommendations and using a modern security system at your Des Moines residence can help ensure safety during the holidays.

Going out of town? Avoid intrusions at your Des Moines home with modern video cameras and automation

Traveling to spend time with relatives is a holiday custom, but leaving your Des Moines home unoccupied increases the risk of burglaries. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems allow you to watch over your house no matter your whereabouts with advanced surveillance. You are able to check live streams from your cameras through the smart home app on your mobile device.

Top surveillance tools take an active role in safeguarding your home. If someone creeps too close, cameras will cast a light or generate a sound to frighten them away. Here are some additional ways you can prevent invasions when you’re traveling: 

• Schedule lights to turn on at various times to make your home look active
• Confirm that your home security yard sign is visible
• Check your cell phone app to ensure doors are locked and your alarm activated
• Don’t announce on social networks that you’re going out of town

Safeguard against holiday porch pirates in Des Moines

For many families, the holidays bring a consistent flow of packages to the front door. Avoid enticing opportunistic criminals by letting them sit on your porch. Alternatively, receive an immediate update to your mobile device whenever a delivery arrives so you can retrieve it. 

If possible, plan deliveries for when you’ll be present. Alternatively, have a neighbor bring them in. You can open your door and temporarily disarm your system from your smartphone. If somebody is at your door, you can talk to them via your video doorbell’s two-way talk function. 

Practice established fire safety during the holidays in your Des Moines home 

Ornamental lights, candles, Christmas trees, and home-cooked meals are popular during the holidays, but they also heighten your risk of fires. Here are some tips for how to prevent them:

• Kitchen blazes increase during the holiday season, notably at Thanksgiving. Keep a close eye on an active stovetop. Keep kids away to prevent burns. Always observe manufacturer guidelines when cooking with fryers.
• Water Christmas trees and keep them away from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Keep in mind that trees grow more combustible as they dry.
• Avoid overburdening electrical outlets with excessive lights and cords. Improper connections and older outlets are prone to sparks and may result in fires.
• Lit candles are enchanting but also risky around decorations and trees. Use them wisely and always put out flames when leaving an area.

Monitored fire alarms are a fantastic way to improve your protection. When sensors like CO detectors and fire alarms connect to your home’s security, you and your 24-7 monitoring professionals will know any time an alarm goes off, whether you’re on site or not.

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

Get all the equipment you need to keep your family safe during the holidays and all year long from Vivint. Our Des Moines smart homes offer innovative features like surveillance systems with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored environmental alarms. Contact us at (515) 972-5232 and give your family the gift of better protection this season.