Holiday Readiness Check: How to Keep Your Home and Business Secure This Season
As the holidays approach, most of us are focused on travel plans, shopping lists, and family gatherings, not home or business security.
But this time of year also brings unique risks: earlier sunsets, increased deliveries, and empty properties that attract opportunistic crime.
A few proactive steps can go a long way toward protecting what matters most. Here’s your All-Guard Holiday Readiness Checklist to keep your home or business secure all season long.
1. Arm Your System Before You Travel
Before heading out of town, double-check that your security system is armed and operating properly.
Confirm that your monitoring team, like All-Guard’s UL-listed Central Station in Livermore, CA, has your current emergency contact information.
Tip: Use the Virtual Keypad™ app to verify system status and receive instant alerts while you’re away.
2. Test Your Devices and Replace Batteries
Now’s the perfect time to run a quick system test. Check motion sensors, door and window contacts, and smoke detectors. Replace any low batteries to ensure uninterrupted protection during holiday travel.
3. Set Smart Lighting Schedules
Nothing deters unwanted visitors like a well-lit property. Use your security system’s automation features or smart home devices to simulate activity. Schedule indoor and outdoor lights to turn on at varying times throughout the evening.
Pro Tip: Combine lighting automation with motion-activated cameras for complete visibility and deterrence.
4. Secure Deliveries and Packages
With online shopping at its peak, package theft is on the rise. Use delivery lockers when possible, or schedule shipments for when someone is home. If you have an All-Guard video doorbell, enable motion recording and mobile alerts for real-time updates.
5. Update Your Emergency Contact List
Take five minutes to review and update your contact list with All-Guard’s monitoring center. Accurate, current information ensures rapid communication in the event of an alarm or emergency.
6. Double-Check Business Security
If you own or manage a business, confirm that your alarm system is set to arm automatically after hours. Verify access control permissions, especially for seasonal or temporary employees. All-Guard’s Dual Authority arming and video verification features provide added confidence when your office or storefront is closed.
7. Inspect Outdoor Equipment
Winter weather can affect security devices. Ensure outdoor cameras and sensors are clean, protected from moisture, and properly angled. Routine maintenance now prevents false alarms later.
8. Count on Local 24/7 Monitoring
Even when you’re busy celebrating, All-Guard Alarm Systems is on duty. Our UL-listed central station operates 24/7, providing fast, reliable monitoring across Northern California, every day of the year.
With All-Guard, protection never takes a holiday.
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