Keep the season merry: Find tips to ensure safety during the holidays

Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas gatherings, and spending precious moments with family members are a few of the things we cherish over the holidays. It’s a time for celebration, but the season also includes more safety risks. Fortunately, adhering to some basic recommendations and using a modern security system at your Newburgh home can boost safety during the holidays.

Going out of town? Avoid break-ins at your Newburgh home with modern video cameras and automation

Traveling to visit relatives is a big part of the holidays, but leaving your Newburgh property unoccupied raises the threat of break-ins. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems allow you to monitor your house no matter where you are with advanced surveillance. You are able to access real-time streams from your cameras through the home security app on your cell phone.

The best surveillance devices take an active role in defending your home. If someone comes within range, cameras will use visible and audible cues to frighten them away. Here are some additional ways you can avoid break-ins when you’re traveling: 

• Set lights to turn on at different moments to make your home seem active
• Make sure your home security sign is in clear view
• Check to verify doors are secured and your alarm is on through the home security app
• Don’t share on social networks that you’re traveling

Protect against holiday porch pirates in Newburgh

For countless families, the holidays mean a consistent stream of packages to your front door. Don’t tempt opportunistic criminals by allowing them to sit outside. Instead, get an immediate notification to your mobile device whenever a package shows up so you can collect it. 

Whenever possible, arrange deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. When that’s not possible, have a neighbor collect them. You can open your door and deactivate your alarm from your mobile device. If someone is on your porch, you can talk to them via your doorbell camera’s bi-directional talk function. 

Adhere to accepted fire safety during the holidays in your Newburgh home 

Christmas trees, candles, homemade meals, and ornamental lights are popular during the holidays, but they also increase the risk of fires. Here are several tips on how to prevent them:

• Kitchen blazes rise during the holidays, particularlly at Thanksgiving. Keep a close eye on an active stovetop. Keep children at a distance to protect against burns. Always adhere to manufacturer instructions when cooking with fryers.
• Keep Christmas trees watered and a safe distance from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Remember that trees grow more fire-prone as they dry out.
• Avoid overburdening electrical outlets with extension cords and lights. Loose connections and older outlets are known to spark and may cause fires.
• Glowing candles are beautiful but also dangerous around decorations and trees. Position them carefully and always put out flames when exiting an area.

Monitored fire alarms are a fantastic way to enhance your protection. When sensors like fire alarms and CO detectors link to your home’s security, you and your 24-hour monitoring professionals will know whenever an alarm goes off, whether you’re on site or away.

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

Discover all the equipment you need to stay safe during the holidays and every day of the year from Vivint. Our Newburgh home security systems give you modern features like custom automation, monitored environmental alarms and cameras with active deterrence. Reach us at (845) 640-5419 and give your household the gift of improved protection this holiday.