Top Tips to Get Your Home Safe for the Holidays

With the holiday season fast approaching, we want to help put your mind at ease and focus on the things that matter, like spending more time with friends and family. While it’s a very festive time of year, it’s also a prime time for thefts, burglaries, house fires and more.

That’s why we’ve compiled a few ways you can keep your home and family safe, either while you’re away or just simply busy hosting guests.

Deter porch pirates

The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving are a popular time for ordering packages, especially with online deals underway. It’s also a time of year when thieves are on the lookout for these doorstep goodies. Install an indoor/outdoor weatherproof home security camera like our Logitech Circle 2 Camera to monitor your front door and also deter burglars from stealing your holiday gifts with the use of our Talk & Listen feature.

Create obstacles for burglars

No, we’re not thinking of a “Home Alone”-style burglar trap (although we love the idea of it), but rather adding high-quality door locks that are clearly visible, such as on a backyard or garden gate. You can also place window locks and latches inside, to prevent windows from easily opening. Burglars prefer simpler break-ins, so the more visible obstacles there are, the less inclined they’ll be to break in.

Try timed lights or smart lights

If you’re traveling away for the holidays, keep your home looking like it’s lived in with lights set on timers to go off every few hours. This can be done by installing a light switch timer, or by installing smart light bulbs, like Philips Hue, which can easily be controlled with an app.

Don’t overshare

It’s easy to get caught up in posting holiday photos on social media, but try to refrain from sharing your location or upcoming holiday travel plans. Social media has quickly become a tool for thieves to use when checking on empty homes or who has the best gifts. Even if your social privacy settings are up-to-date, try turning off your location (if you’re away) or sharing family moments rather than the awesome 4K TV you just got.

Keep an eye on little ones

If you’re hosting family with young children or traveling to someone’s home that isn’t childproofed, keep an eye out for danger spots like unlocked cabinets, unattended purses, accessible cleaning/laundry products, stairways, or hot radiators. Between decorations and delicious holiday treats, children can have wandering hands and hurt themselves.

Protect your pets

We love our pets like our family, so it’s important to keep hazards away from them like tinsel, chocolates, or other items they could ingest. Holiday trees are also a playground for cats, so if you do have one in your home, try securing it to your ceiling using fishing line. You don’t want your tree and ornaments to come crashing down after your feline friend decides to climb up.

Be careful with the decorations

Try to choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant and keep lit candles away from items that can burn easily. Also, if you’re decorating with string lights, make sure to check if they are for indoor or outdoor use. Be sure to unplug lights on trees and other areas of your home when you’re away or going to bed.

Test smoke alarms

Test smoke alarms once a month to ensure they’re always working, but especially during the holiday season. If you’re hosting guests, share your fire safety plan, so they’re aware of the best escape routes in your home.

Cook responsibly

The NFPA reports that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by the Christmas holidays. Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food–even if the kids are doing something Instagram-worthy in the living room, it’s best to stay nearby food that’s cooking. Also, if you’re planning on deep frying a turkey, go for oil-less solutions or take it outdoors and follow these tips.

Do you have any home safety tips to prepare for the busy holiday season? Share with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with hashtag #HomeSafety and #CircleIt! You will be entered to win your own Circle 2 Wired camera to keep an eye on your home, inside and out! (See contest rules here)

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