Keeping Your Family Safe: 3 Things to Consider

Home security: something we all long for and will do what we can to achieve. Having reliable home security is so important to make sure your loved ones are safe and cared for. For the benefit of our home, our possessions and our family, safety and security are constant focuses. To ensure a high-level of safety is attained, invest in a home security system as one of your first steps. There are a number of things to consider about purchasing and installing a security system, here are 4 of them:

A Home Security System Monitors Your Home

It sounds pretty basic, but a home security system does just what we think it does, but on a much more innovative and wider scale than you might have originally thought. Yes, security systems are also monitors for the activity going on in and around your home, but the advent of wireless technology has made this feature so much more convenient for users.

With wireless technology, users are able to control with their alarm system more than ever before. Now you can use your mobile device to connect to your home system and perform operations remotely. With wireless technology, users can set an alarm, provide individualized key codes to expected visitors and even view what is happening at their home (with camera systems), all with the touch of a couple of buttons.

A Home Security System Detects Danger

More than just for intruders, a monitor is a home security system that detects other dangers such as smoke, fire, water levels in the home and a number of additional hazards. For example, carbon monoxide, an odorless and potentially fatal gas, would normally go undetected in a home. With a device to assist you to the presence of this gas, you will know of the dangers and potency before it becomes too alarming. A number of home security companies also offer an identity protection service, pet protection and medical alert systems and panic buttons.

A Home Security System Deters Criminals

security-b&wImage via Flickr by *saxon*

If your home looks like an easy mark, there is a higher chance that you’ll experience a home invasion. If your home looks secure to the outside, it’ll work to actually be more secure. After all, intruders are not likely to hatch out a plan and spend a lot of time formulating what their steps will be. When installing a home security system, opt to get a sign placed in the front yard or a sticker for the windows around your home. Why would someone break into a home with an alarm warning sign when they could just go to the home next door without one?

Home security systems contribute to your safety in big ways. Given the benefits and lower cost of having such a system, there isn’t a reason to avoid installing one of these devices. Directly contribute to the safety of your family and consider purchasing a security system for your home as soon as possible.

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Preparing your teen for their very first road trip

Post graduation is an exciting time for your teen, and they’re probably going to want to have one final taste of freedom before joining the world of us grownups! If your teen is planning their very first road trip, you’ll probably have your reservations. Whether they’re going away with a big group or a couple of friends, they’ll have a lot to prepare before they set off. If you’ll be the one doing most of the preparation, though, this guide from PassSmart is designed to help you get them, and yourself, ready for the adventure!

Who’s driving?

driving-road-trip

Credit edenmorrison at Flickr.

Depending on how big the group is, they’ll need to decide on designated drivers and make sure everyone who is planning to drive is insured on the vehicle. It’s important to make sure that more than one or two people going can drive as each driver will need enough resting time between getting behind the wheel.

What they’re driving is another question you should ask. Although we’d all love to be cruising down route 66 in our vintage, classic car, it’s probably not the most sensible of ideas. Make sure the vehicle they’ll be traveling in is reliable and not likely to leave them stranded at the side of the road. This will give you peace of mind and will ensure their journey runs smoothly.

Money saving tips

There’s no doubt that a road trip can be expensive if you don’t budget for it. Make sure your teen has got some money saving tips up their sleeve before they set off, and (hopefully) they won’t overspend whilst they’re away.

Eco-driving

Eco-friendly driving is one of the easiest ways to save fuel. Teach them some simple eco-driving tips like gentle acceleration and braking, and they’ll have to fill up on gas much less frequently.

Eating in

One of the best ways to save money on a road trip is by cutting down on eating out. Depending on how long they’re going for and where they’re going, you might be able to help them pack some supplies. Pick non-perishables so they can carry them in the car with them, making the temptation to dine out much easier to ignore!

Get the App

There are loads of apps out there which are designed to make driving long distances and exploring new places much easier. We know it’s pretty much impossible to keep them off their smartphones, so this is one tip that they’re bound to use. There are lots of free GPS navigation apps out there which they might like to try, and also lots of apps designed to help them find their nearest restaurant, hotel, activity and more.

Hands-free

Sticking to the subject of smartphones, it might be a good idea to buy them a hands-free system to use on the journey. Not only will this be a useful investment for future drives, but it will also stop any temptation to use their phone whilst driving.

Keep in touch!

Finally, make sure you keep in touch. It’s important to remember that trips like these are a rite of passage but that doesn’t mean you’re not going to worry. Check in with them every couple of days, even if it’s just a message on Facebook, and you’ll feel much more at ease knowing they’re safe and enjoying their trip!

These hints and tips were provided by PassSmart.com; a British company who work in the driver training industry.

Is your Toilet Dangerous?

When we first saw this information, we were unsure about why anyone would have an exploding or dangerous toilet. But then we learned, the issue is the  Flushmate pressure-assist flushing system that is mostly found in toilets sold in home improvement stores. But the infographic says it  all …

Have Issues with a bursting toilet? Contact a Professional Plumber

This information has been provided on behalf of Spartan Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. They are a Maryland based plumbing contractor. Click Here for more.

Friday Favorite

Friday Favorites is another weekly feature here at Simply Living on a Budget. The whole point of this feature is to share some of my favorite finds. Anything is game. Food. Cleaning supplies. Kid stuff. Garden favorites. Recipes. Anything that I really like and want to randomly post about. Everything in Friday Favorites is something that I use and bought on my own.
Up this week … again (see my first post HERE)
Retractable Gate from One Step Ahead
Details …
Presto-chango: that’s how quickly this retractable safety gate “disappears!” Just pull it out when you need it, and roll it up when you don’t. Don’t let the soft mesh fool you; this gate is sturdy enough for stair tops and even outdoor use.

Our review …
We just ordered another one of these gates. It has been redesigned … for the BETTER! The open mechanism is so much easier. PLUS the gate comes with two sets of wall units. You can take the gate off the wall and move it another location in this house!! This is going to be great for the preschool area!!

Do you love this gate too? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Did you miss last week’s Friday Favorite? Find it here!

If you have a suggestion for a Friday Favorite, leave me a comment and let me know.

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites is another weekly feature here at Simply Living on a Budget. The whole point of this feature is to share some of my favorite finds. Anything is game. Food. Cleaning supplies. Kid stuff. Garden favorites. Recipes. Anything that I really like and want to randomly post about. Everything in Friday Favorites is something that I use and bought on my own.

Up this week …
Retractable Gate from One Step Ahead
Details …
Presto-chango: that’s how quickly this retractable safety gate “disappears!” Just pull it out when you need it, and roll it up when you don’t. Don’t let the soft mesh fool you; this gate is sturdy enough for stair tops and even outdoor use.

Our review …
We have had this gate for 3.5 years now. It is great and it is has held up. The only down fall is that is hard to open one handed while holding a kid. I have become skilled at stepping over it with a sleeping baby though. We have the railing adapter because the one side of our steps in a banister not a wall. If you have stairs or an opening you want to keep your little one out of, this is the way to go. No big swinging gate or something that falls over on your kid.
I now want one for our basement since we are down there more and my Little Dude can fly up the stairs. ack!

Do you love this gate too? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Did you miss last week’s Friday Favorite? Find it here!

If you have a suggestion for a Friday Favorite, leave me a comment and let me know.