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

October 20, 2025
Children opening a gift in the family room beside a Christmas tree.

Chrismas gatherings, Thanksgiving meals, and sharing special moments with family members are several of the traditions we cherish during the holidays. It’s a time to celebrate, but the season has more safety risks. Thankfully, following some basic recommendations and using a well-equipped security system at your Rochester residence can help ensure safety during the holidays.

Leaving town? Deter intrusions at your Rochester home with the latest video cameras and automation

Going to spend time with relatives is a holiday custom, but leaving your Rochester home vacant raises the risk of break-ins. But there is an answer. Modern home security systems permit you to keep tabs on your home regardless of your whereabouts with the latest surveillance. You can check live footage from your video cameras via the smart home app on your cell phone.

Leading surveillance systems can actively protect your home from trespassers. If a person creeps within range, cameras will beam a light or emit a sound to frighten them away. Here are serveral other ways you can avoid intrustions when you’re out: 

  • Schedule lights to activate at different times to make your house appear inhabited
  • Make sure your home security yard sign is visible
  • Go to your home security app to ensure doors are locked and your alarm is set
  • Don’t share on social networks that you’re leaving town

Protect against Chrismastime porch pirates in Rochester

For numerous families, the holidays include a steady flow of packages to the front door. Avoid attracting opportunistic criminals by allowing them to sit on your stoop. Alternatively, obtain an automatic update to your smartphone whenever something appears so you can grab it. 

Whenever possible, schedule deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. Alternatively, have a neighbor bring them in. You can deactivate your alarm and unlock your door from your mobile device. If somebody is at your door, you can talk to them via your video doorbell’s 2-way talk function. 

Practice established fire safety during the holidays in your Rochester home 

Decorative lights, candles, Christmas trees, and home-cooked meals are a part of the holidays, but they also heighten your risk of fires. Here are a few tips on how to prevent them:

  • Cooking fires rise during the holiday season, particularlly at Thanksgiving. Don’t turn your back on a busy stovetop. Keep little ones clear of hot burners to avoid burns. Always follow manufacturer guidelines when operating fryers.
  • Keep Christmas trees hydrated and away from fireplaces and open flames, such as candles. Remember that trees grow more fire-prone as they dry.
  • Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many lights and extension cords. Improper connections and damaged outlets are at risk of sparking and may lead to fires.
  • Lit candles are lovely but also dangerous around trees and decorations. Use them wisely and always extinguish flames when stepping out of a space.

Monitored fire alarms are a fantastic way to enhance your protection. When safety devices like fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors link to your property’s security, you and your dedicated monitoring professionals will be notified when an alarm sounds, whether you’re there or not.

Stay safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Rochester

Discover all the tools you need to keep your family safe during the holidays and every day of the year from Vivint. Our Rochester smart security systems give you innovative features like surveillance systems with active deterrence, custom automation, and monitored environmental alarms. Reach us at (585) 534-3389 and give your household the gift of better security this holiday.