More than 50 million Americans plan to travel to spend Thanksgiving with friends and family this year [1], leaving their homes empty for opportunistic burglars. Whether you're celebrating at home or hitting the road, follow these simple safety tips from ADT for a safe and worry-free holiday for you and your family.  

Make your home smarter

  • Before heading out of town, use timers to operate lights, or adjust your ADT smart lights remotely with the ADT app.
  • Relax knowing ADT has your back with 24-hour fire monitoring  that automatically dispatches the fire or police department in an emergency.
  • With your ADT smart home security system, you can use the ADT app to arm and disarm your system remotely, adjust smart lights and locks, view your security cameras and receive alerts if motion is detected.
  • At home, use your doorbell camera to greet holiday guests and get packages safely inside and away from porch pirates.

Help protect your home

  • Don’t post your travel plans or photos on social media, letting people know you’re away.
  • Have all mail and deliveries stopped or picked up by a neighbor, friend or relative.
  • Never leave a key hidden outside. Burglars know all the best hiding places.
  • Secure all windows, including those upstairs, and reduce the chance of easy entry by cutting tree limbs away from second-story windows. Put away any ladders.
  • Have a friend move your car occasionally if it’s parked in the driveway.

Use caution in the kitchen

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving and the day before Thanksgiving are the two leading days for home-cooking fires [2]. Follow these fire-safety tips to help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable Turkey Day.

  • Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop, especially when frying or sauteing with oil, and avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing or long open sleeves, which can catch fire from a flame or hot burner.  
  • Set a timer to keep track of your turkey or other food in the oven and check on it often. Always stay in your home when cooking.
  • Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, kitchen towels and food wrappers away from the stovetop and cooking area.
  • The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
  • Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire.
  • Be sure to keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency, and teach your family how to use it.
  • Be cautious when using turkey fryers as they pose a number of distinct safety concerns, including burn and fire hazards. The NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers.
  • Test your smoke alarms and ADT system to be sure they are working properly. Click here to learn more.


At ADT, we’re grateful for your trust and wish you and yours a happy Thanksgiving. 

 

[1] Source: AAA, November 2021.

[2] Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), November 2020.

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