Big events—whether city-wide festivals, holiday celebrations, or friendly gatherings at home—bring big excitement. But with the hustle and bustle of planning for events, home security can sometimes take a back seat, if not neglected altogether. The good news? A few simple steps can help keep your home safe so you can enjoy every moment of the festivities.
From securing your home before heading to a festival to making sure your property stays protected during small, intimate gatherings or big, exciting events, home security solutions can help you safeguard your home and provide peace of mind.
Canadian Holidays and Home Security
There are so many dates and ways to celebrate. During the winter and spring, you may enjoy:
- Quebec Winter Carnival (mid-February): A major winter festival that brings thousands of visitors to Quebec City
- St. Patrick’s Day (March 17): Popular for pub crawls and house parties
- Canadian Grand Prix (mid-June): one of the most well-attended sporting events in Canada
- Canada Day (July 1): With fireworks and celebrations throughout the country
- The Calgary Stampede (early July): a world-famous event that attracts massive crowds
- Montreal International Jazz Festival (summer): which brings thousands of music lovers to the city
- Toronto International Film Festival (September): one of the largest and most prestigious film festivals, welcoming people from around the world
- Thanksgiving (October): inviting friends and families into your home
Not to mention game-day celebrations, dinner parties with friends, or perhaps hosting a wedding or reunion for a more personal celebration. Each of these events can impact home security in different ways. And planning ahead can make a big difference—whether you’re turning on your system and heading out or opening the doors to host at home.
Holidays and Home Security for Public Events and Festivals
If you live near a large event site or are attending a festival or big game, your home may be at increased risk of a break-in, package theft, or other property damage.
To ensure your home is protected before you leave:
- Activate your home security system, ensuring it’s armed in “away” mode.
- Use remote monitoring on your mobile app to get alerts and to check in while you’re away.
- Enable smart locks, so if someone needs to enter your home (such as a home or pet sitter, family member, or trusted neighbor), you can provide a temporary access code rather than handing them a physical key.
- Make sure outdoor lighting and motion sensors are set with dusk-to-dawn security lighting. Well-lit properties deter trespassers.
- Check your doorbell cameras and set up alerts so you’re notified when someone is at your door, even if you’re miles away.
- Secure windows, entrances—including side and backdoors as well as garages. That includes accessible balconies and outbuildings. Many break-ins occur through entrances that aren’t as visible from the front of the house.
- Be cautious with social media, and avoid posting while you’re away or advertising that you’ll be heading out of town or to an event. You can share memories once you’re safely at home rather than letting strangers or others know your house may be vulnerable.
- Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye out for any unexpected changes.
Holidays and Home Security When Hosting
Hosting parties can be exciting! Whether it’s an intimate dinner party or a huge celebration like a wedding, home security remains a priority. To ensure your home is prepared for your guests to arrive:
- If you won’t be at the door greeting your guests as they arrive, set up smart locks for temporary access. This allows more controlled entry as you focus on being an amazing host.
- Secure valuables like jewelry, passports, and important documents in a safe or secure location.
- Use indoor motion alerts and activate indoor security features for areas that you would like to keep off-limits, such as children’s bedrooms or your home office.
- Notify your neighbors, especially if you’re expecting a larger crowd. This will help you avoid any misunderstandings if they see increased activity in and around your home.
During the event itself, you can:
- Keep an eye on who’s coming and going with a smart doorbell or security camera to monitor entry points.
- If you’re hosting a large gathering, use indoor smart locks to keep private rooms or areas off-limits.
- Don’t forget cyber security. Use a guest Wi-Fi network to protect your smart home devices and connection.
Once the event is over, there are a few last steps to ensure your home is fully protected.
- If you used smart locks, update codes so no one has lingering access.
- Give your security camera footage a quick review to ensure no suspicious activity occurred during the event. Even if you feel you can trust your guests, this is a good habit to get into.
- If you received gifts (for example, for a wedding or anniversary), dispose of your packaging carefully. Avoid leaving boxes of potentially expensive gifts hanging out of your trash for everyone to see.
Renting? Additional Security Tips
Especially if they have a prime location (and prefer to miss the crowds), some homeowners rent out their homes during major events, such as TIFF or the Calgary Stampede. If this is something you are considering, you may want to take additional precautions to keep your home secure.
Home Alarm CA’s experts can help direct you on your security set-up so it supports short-term rentals while also ensuring your guests have privacy. For instance, cameras can be set up in common outdoor areas to deter unwanted activities. You can also restrict guest access to security features so your guests can’t turn off cameras or security settings.
As mentioned above, temporary codes and smart locks are a great way to ensure your home remains safe long after the event. Just change the codes before and after your guests leave.
You’ll also want to communicate your security policies clearly. For example, let your renters know in advance about the cameras, alarms, and access points designed for their safety and yours.
Enjoy Your Holiday or Event, Knowing You’re Secure
Major events, holidays, and gatherings should be fun, not a source of stress or worrying about your home security. By thinking about holidays and home security in advance and taking some simple precautions, you can relax and enjoy the celebrations.
Ready to create a home security system that allows you to fully enjoy every festival, holiday, and celebration? Home Alarms CA has earned a reputation for reliability and trust. Check out our packages and call now for a free quote at 1-855-518-4458 and talk with an expert about a customized package to ensure your home is protected no matter what you’re celebrating.