The holidays are traditionally known as the season for giving for many families, but for burglars, the holidays are the prime season for taking. Burglars seek to steal your hard-earned money, possessions, new gifts, and also the joy and peace that are the true meaning behind the holidays.

Protecting your home from burglary is a necessity all year round, but even more so during the holidays. Around Christmas time, homes are likely to be filled with brand new gifts—electronics, jewelry, cash and other expensive items. As a result, extra security measures need to be put in place.

The best way to protect your home and gain peace of mind is through a monitored security system. If some one tries to break in, our local 24-hour Monitoring Response Center will receive the notification and respond promptly.

Not only does a monitored security system protect against burglary, but it can also be an effective way to detect fire quickly and decrease the response time of the fire department. Each year approximately 240 home fires involve Christmas trees while approximately 150 home fires are linked to holiday lights, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). Minimize the risk of a fire in your home by keeping tree stands full of water, placing the tree and decorations so that they do not block exits in case of a fire or other emergency and by inspecting holiday lights every year before you use them.

In addition, burglars look for homes that are easy to access. Avoid placing your Christmas tree and gifts in plain site or an accessible window to avoid providing a welcome invitation for burglars.

Protect your porch during the holiday season with instant video alerts delivered to your smart phone. With deliveries, visiting guests and even the occasional caroler, there’s a lot of activity around your front porch.Customize your alerts to avoid alert overload, and record when there is certain activity like the front door opening or motion being detected. Receive pre and post alarm footage automatically in the case of an alarm.

You can even place a camera that looks out through a window or use an image sensor that can take snap shots when motion is detected to know who is at the front door or on your porch.

From all of us here at Amherst Alarm, we wish you a happy and safe holiday. For more information, give us a call today!