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

Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas gatherings, and spending special moments with family members are several of the traditions we cherish around the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season also brings more safety risks. Fortunately, abiding by some simple recommendations and using an advanced security system at your Pensacola residence can boost safety during the holidays.

Leaving town? Deter burglaries at your Pensacola home with modern video cameras and automation

Traveling to visit relatives is a holiday custom, but leaving your Pensacola house vacant raises the threat of break-ins. But there is a solution. Modern home security systems allow you to watch over your home no matter where you are with innovative surveillance. You can access live streams from your cameras with the smart home app on your cell phone.

Leading surveillance systems take an active role in protecting your home. If an individual creeps within range, cameras will cast a light or generate a sound to frighten them away. Here are some additional ways you can deter invasions when you’re out: 

• Program lights to turn on at various moments to make your home seem inhabited
• Confirm that your home security yard sign is in clear view
• Make sure doors are locked and your alarm is on through the mobile app
• Don’t announce on social networks that you’re traveling

Defend against holiday porch pirates in Pensacola

For numerous families, the holidays mean a steady stream of packages to the front door. Don’t tempt prowlers by letting them sit on your porch. Instead, receive an instant alert to your phone whenever a package arrives so you are reminded to retrieve it. 

If possible, schedule deliveries for when you’ll be present. When that’s not possible, see if a neighbor can take them in. You can open your door and temporarily turn off your alarm from your mobile device. If a person is knocking on your door, you can communicate with them through your doorbell camera’s bi-directional talk function. 

Follow accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Pensacola home 

Decorative lights, candles, Christmas trees, and home-cooked meals are popular during the holidays, but they also put you at risk for fires. Here are several tips for how to circumvent them:

• Cooking fires increase during the holiday season, particularlly at Thanksgiving. Maintain a close watch of an active stovetop. Keep kids at a distance to prevent burns. Remember to follow manufacturer guidelines when using fryers.
• Keep Christmas trees watered and clear of fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Keep in mind that trees grow more flammable as they dehydrate.
• Avoid overburdening electrical outlets with excessive lights and cords. Loose connections and faulty outlets are at risk of sparking and may result in fires.
• Glowing candles are lovely but also risky around trees and other decor. Use them thoughtfully and always put out flames when exiting a space.

Monitored fire alarms are an excellent way to enhance your protection. When environmental sensors like CO detectors and fire alarms connect to your property’s security, you and your 24-7 monitoring professionals will be notified any time an alarm sounds, whether you’re there or not.

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

Get all the tools you need to remain safe during the holidays and all year round from Vivint. Our Pensacola smart security systems offer innovative features like custom automation, monitored fire alarms and surveillance with active deterrence. Reach us at (850) 790-5902 and give your household the gift of better security this season.