12 Things To Do Before Christmas!

07.12.2023 MDfx Ltd Christmas Tips & Tricks

As we embrace the festive season, we want to ensure that your home is not only merry and bright but also secure and well-protected.

Our offices will be closed from 5pm on Friday 22nd December 2023 and reopen at 8am on Tuesday 2nd January 2024.

But our commitment to your safety extends through the holiday season with our Fire and Intruder alarm emergency support ensuring that your home remains safe and secure during this joyous season.

In the event of an out-of-hours Fire or Intruder emergency only, you can call this number below.

0844 248 3516

*Please note, that this number is for fire & intruder alarm emergency use only.

But here are some tips and tricks you can carry out yourself to ensure your smart home is in tip top shape for the holidays.

1. Fire & Intruder Alarms

If you’re heading off on holiday, give your alarms a test by fully arming the system and making sure it sets, at least a few days before you leave.

If you experience any issues, or if you’d like us to carry out a test, and it’s an MDfx alarm, please call us during working hours on 01895 262 600 and we will arrange a visit to check it over.

2. CCTV Testing

Check that all cameras are displaying an image. Check that they are not obscured by dirt, spiders webs and foliage. Also, check that the recording functionality is working as it should by checking through some recent footage the night and day before.

Checking through the night time footage will give you confidence that the night time viewing is working as it should too.

3. Whole Home Automation

Most whole home control systems will have a holiday mode setting which you can find on your control panel. This will replicate your regular technological movements around the house to give the appearance someone is home.

4. Lighting Controls

If you have a lighting control system with a holiday mode, such as Crestron or Lutron, don’t forget to turn this on before you leave.

Our lighting systems typically have an ‘Away’ button on a keypad near the front door. This will make use of your random usage of lights will be replayed on key lights helping to make the house look occupied.

5. Heating & Cooling

If you have an intelligent heating and cooling system you can turn this down or also put this into a holiday mode. This will make sure your home remains frost free, your furniture remains protected, whilst ensuring your system doesn’t waste energy on heating an empty house.

6. No Holiday Mode?

If your home does not currently benefit from holiday mode features and they sound like something you may wish to add, please feel free to get in touch. Depending on the system you are currently using, you may be surprised how easy these things might be to add!

7. Staying Home For Christmas?

With an MDfx home cinema, it’s likely you’ll be hosting the family at Christmas!

We recommend giving your projector a good test before your family comes over and check the lamp hours. If your lamp hours are at or over the manufacturer’s lamp life then we would recommend purchasing a new lamp and having it fitted.

If you would like us to check your cinema over or if you need any assistance checking your lamp life then just give us a call during our work hours.

8. Sky, Virgin & Freeview Boxes

Anyone that’s owned one of these digital television receivers will know that they lock up from time to time.

If you have a Crestron system you will usually find the reset button either on the sky menu page or your home page usually labelled as “Digital receiver reset”. Press this and allow a few minutes for the box to reset. Then go to the home page. Press the off button and allow a few moments before selecting your receiver again.

If you have Control4, there’s typically a tab on the home page labelled reset and here you’ll find the button you need. Press this and allow a few minutes for the boxes to restart.

If you have a stand-alone setup, then unplug the receiver from the power for a minute. Plug it back in and allow a couple of minutes for the box to boot up and turn it on.

9. Broadband

Should any problems arise with your internet the first place to start is resetting your router. The usual IT response is to try turning it off and on again. This will usually rectify minor issues.

If you still have a problem, try resetting your computer or checking the broadband from another computer or device. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to call your broadband provider.

10. Door Entry

If you’re hosting Christmas this year don’t forget to check your door entry is in perfect working order, or you may miss those deliveries!

Give MDfx a call should any problems arise, such as audio or video not working, and we can arrange a visit at your convenience.

11. Crestron

If you have any problems then the first thing to try is a system reset. This can usually be found by going to the home page, pressing the room name (e.g. Kitchen), press the reset tab and you should see a button labelled “System Reset”. Press this and allow the system a few minutes to fully reboot. 9 times out of 10 this will resolve any issues.

On most occasions, a simple reboot will get things going if you ever experience a problem. If problems persist please drop us an email at info@mdfx.co.uk and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

12. Annnnnnnd relax!

You’ve completed your list and you’ve checked it twice!

Make sure all of the above are checked and are in tip top working order before the holidays!

If you require any assistance or need to arrange a visit to rectify any problems, please give our team a call and we will do everything we can to help your holidays run as smoothly as possible.

Now, relax, enjoy, and as you prepare to celebrate with loved ones, may your smart home technology be the silent elf enhancing your festivities

The MDfx team wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderfully bright New Year!

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Full Home Automation, Home Cinema, Lighting Control, Networking, Fire & Security, Telephony, Cloud Control, Electric Blinds & Curtains, Consultancy – All areas covered.

Adress: Unit 1, Dolphin Wharf, 3 Rockingham Rd, Uxbridge UB8 2UB

Phone: +44 01895262600

E-mail: info@mdfx.co.uk