Few would argue the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and your personal life. The more work occupies your brain and stresses you out when the workday is over is not time well spent. That can be especially true if you work from home where it’s often difficult to separate one from the other.

Add to that – for health reasons and otherwise – more and more people working from home not necessarily by choice, and associated problems only compound themselves.

While we don’t have all the answers, we do have some helpful tips on how and where to create a home office space that keeps life and work at least a little more apart.

Location, location. Choose a space where household traffic and distractions are minimal. Ideally, this area would be separated by a door from the rest of the house, but if that is not an option, consider using a screen or partition around your workspace to minimize visual distractions.

Eliminate outside noise. No matter how quiet your home might be, outdoor distractions like traffic, nearby construction, and rowdy neighbors can make focus and productivity a challenge. Keep it to a minimum by sealing gaps around windows and exterior doors, use a draft guard to seal the gap between door and floor, or invest in good-quality noise cancelling headphones.

Keep it light and bright. If possible, set up your workstation near a window to reap the health benefits of natural sunlight. If the window is small, hang a mirror on the opposite wall to bounce sunlight around the space.

Get – and stay – connected. Dropped calls, poor connections during video conferencing, and slow file-sharing can make you seem unprepared and unprofessional. There also can be a significant loss or productivity. Contact your local internet provider to ensure your service plan matches the needs of your household.

Consider your equipment. Think about how you use your office equipment – does it help or hinder your ability to work comfortably and efficiently? Make sure your chair offers the comfort and support you need, replace that old sticky keyboard for a newer model, or consider adding a second computer monitor to reduce going back and forth between files.

Creative storage.  If your room is tight on space or serves double duty as a guest bedroom or hobby room, look for creative ways to use wall shelving, bookcases, and other storage ideas to eliminate floor clutter.

Reduce the clutter. Use drawer organizers to keep sticky notes, pens, paper clips and other office essentials within easy access. Keep paper clutter to a minimum by scanning those documents you can while filing the rest away. And bundle wires, cords, and cables with double-sided Velcro, or invest in a cord management system.

At the end of the day, put it away. Make it easier to switch from work to life by organizing and putting away documents and shutting electronics down. You’ll be less tempted to “check one more thing” and keep your work area safe from exploring kids and curious pets.

If you’ve converted basement or attic space to a home office and that area is not covered by your home security system, you have one very good reason to expand your system’s capabilities – especially if your office contains expensive equipment and gear. Contact Now Security Systems today to learn how we can help protect not just some of your home, but all of it.

Nothing quite beats the summer heat and humidity like a refreshing swim. Even better and more convenient when that swim takes place in the comfort of your own backyard. But if you’re a pool owner, you know all too well that proper maintenance is the key to keeping your backyard oasis enjoyable and safe all season long.

So, before you take your next dip, make sure you’re following these pool care tips.

• After months of non-use, take the time to thoroughly inspect the pool area for damage, clear away leaves, branches, and debris with a pool net, and run the filter to get things moving again.

• Closely follow your pool kit’s instructions when treating the water. Achieving just the right balance of pH, calcium, and alkalinity will keep the water crystal clear, keep the filter clog free, and prevent skin and eye irritation.
• Chlorine is an essential ingredient in the fight against bacteria. Take the time to research your options. Would you prefer liquid or chlorine tabs? Do you want an all-in-one solution or a separate algaecide?
• Pool professionals recommend shocking a pool at least twice a month – more frequently if your pool is used often. Apply three to five times the normal amount of chlorine to quickly raise chlorine levels and kill algae, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens.
• Wind and rain can cause plant life to make itself at home in your pool where it can bloom and take over. Apply a weekly or biweekly algaecide treatment to keep the water sparkling clean and safe.
• Invest in a pool cover to prevent debris and little critters from ending up in your water. When rinsing the pool deck, direct the hose away from the pool so that whatever you’re washing away doesn’t end up in the water.

Then there’s the pool safety – there’s nothing more important for making the most of your outdoor time and investment. Our advice? Add one or more backyard video cameras to your home security system so you can keep an eye on things. While we don’t recommend leaving kids alone in a pool even for a minute, things have a way of happening anyway, however briefly. Video cameras can help relieve at least some of that worry.

For more information and a free in-home security analysis, contact Now Security Systems today.

Home security comes in all shapes and sizes. But here’s one you may not have previously considered – a whole-house water shut-off valve.

Water leaks are never to be taken lightly. Especially when you consider how much damage they can cause. Take a leak in your water heater storage tank that starts when no one’s home and doesn’t end until every drop of water has been drained.

At the very least, you’ll have quite a mess on your hands. If the problem occurs while you’re away on vacation, mold can become an issue. And, depending on where your storage tank is located, you also face the risk of property and structural damage.

To solve the problem, call a plumbing company you trust and ask them to install a whole-house water shut-off valve. Let’s say you have a multi-sensor system and a leak occurs under your kitchen sink. The nearest sensor will detect the leak and send a signal to the next one in line, and so on, until it reaches and shuts off your water main.  That means almost no wasted water, no damage, and no clean-up headaches.

Better yet, your water shut-off valve with strategically placed sensors can be integrated with a home security system from Now Security Systems. That gives you one more way to protect your home, family, and personal possessions, even while you’re away. Contact us today for more information on how to get the most from your home security system – from Now!

When self-quarantining and working from home become necessary, you might also be scaling back your budget either of necessity or by choice. And yet in the process, you’re also spending more time cooking which, if you let it, can significantly increase your weekly grocery spend.

Yet by changing a few habits you can keep your grocery budget in check without sacrificing meal quality or quantity. Here are a few suggestions.

Meal Plan – One of the easiest ways to make your grocery dollar go farther is to plan your meals a week at a time. Choose meals you can double and freeze half for later in the week or use ingredients that can be turned into two meals. For example, roast two chickens and serve one as the main course one night, then use the leftovers to make chicken fajitas the next.

Mix and Match – Add fruit to savory dishes, make breakfast for dinner, add protein to a basic tossed salad by mixing in sliced up hard-boiled eggs, and use herbs and spices to enhance the flavor factor of your old standbys.

Make Your Own Stock – Simmer food scraps like veggies, leftover poultry (including bones) in water for at least four hours to make a large batch of stock or broth that can be used for soups, sauces, and more.

Raid Your Stash – Dig way back into your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Chances are you have more meal-worthy items on hand than you realize.

Remix Old Favorites – Make healthier versions of your favorite comfort foods. Add lots of veggies to your grandma’s pasta sauce recipe; stuff peppers with beans for a filling, inexpensive, vegetarian option to ground meat; or use cauliflower mash instead of potatoes for a healthier version of shepherd’s pie.

Learn How to Preserve – Preserving and canning extends the shelf-life of food while sealing in nutrients. Plus, it allows you to have out-of-season food any time of year. You can even find hands-on online classes if you’re unsure how to get started.

Grow Your Own – Whether it’s a small indoor garden or a large, raised outdoor bed, growing your own fruit, vegetables, and herbs will help you stretch your grocery dollars and provide you with fresh, healthy food at your fingertips. Plus, it gives you something to do while you spend more time at home.

Drink More Water – Sometimes, the body mistakes thirst for hunger. If you find yourself snacking more than you’d like, try to replace some of those snacks with a refreshing glass of water. Add flavor with strawberries, cucumbers, or citrus slices.

At Now Security Systems, we’re happy to pass along smart household moves just as we are to help keep your family and home safe from harm and unlawful entry. As always, just let us know how we can help.

Outdoor improvements, when properly planned and executed, generally help but increase your property value – but not always. So, you naturally want to be careful in choosing which projects to implement. Here are several you can’t go wrong with:

Fire Pit – Nothing beats gathering around a crackling fire with family and friends. Installing an outdoor fire pit is simple and inexpensive with basic supplies found at your local home improvement store. Or you can step it up a notch and install a fire pit with a gas burner.

Garage Door – If your garage door is looking a little sad and weathered, replacing it will quickly up the curb appeal factor and give your home’s value a little boost. No replacement budget just now? A fresh coat of paint also can work wonders.

Front Door – Just like your garage door, updating the look of your front door can add a fresh new look to your home’s exterior. While you’re at it, update your mailbox and house numbers.

Landscaping – Sure, you keep your lawn lush and trimmed, but what about the rest of the landscaping? Trimming back hedges and shrubs, laying down fresh mulch, and adding some colorful flowering plants will greatly improve your home’s exterior.

Deck or Patio – Enjoy spending time outdoors? Then consider installing a backyard patio or deck to enhance your outdoor living space. While not an inexpensive upgrade, you can count of recouping about 70 percent of the cost come time to sell.

Outdoor Lighting – Strategically placed outdoor lighting creates ambience, ups curb appeal, and helps deter burglars. Now that’s a win-win-win.

Trees and Shrubs – Increase curb appeal while providing your home with shade. Shrubs offer added privacy between you and your neighbors without the need for a fence. A tree or two also can shade the sides of your home which, in turn, will help cut your summertime cooling costs.

While you’re focused on the outdoor areas of your home, think about adding video cameras to alert you to unwanted guests. One quick call to Now Security Systems will jump-start the process to provide an added layer of home safety.

Nothing tastes better than a home-made meal prepared with vegetables, fruit, and herbs from your own garden. Living here in Connecticut, your outdoor garden is good for five months at best. And that’s assuming you have the space for it. But what if climate and outdoor space didn’t matter?

Read on to learn how you can grow food at home with an indoor garden. In fact, follow these simple steps and you’ll be enjoying the fruits (and veggies and herbs) of your labor in no time.

Choose your plants wisely. Not all fruits and vegetables are intended for indoor growth. For example, corn can grow up to 10 feet high – not exactly something you can easily squeeze into your kitchen or basement. Instead, choose dwarf varieties of vegetables and low-growing fruit like strawberries.

Start with the right containers. Make sure the pots are large enough to give roots ample room to grow. Root crops like carrots and potatoes need at least 12 inches of soil depth while lettuce, spinach, and other greens only need about 5 inches.

Buy the soil right. Now that you have the correct containers, invest in a lightweight, sterile potting mix that will promote root growth and plant health. Avoid the urge to use soil from your yard as it could be filled with microscopic pests and disease.

Let there be light. Most vegetation needs at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive, so place your garden in front of a south-facing window. If that’s not an option, you’ll need to augment or replace nature with a grow light.

Water consistently. Soil should be springy and damp; otherwise, roots that alternate between wet and dry may fail to develop properly. Check moisture levels daily by pressing a finger on the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Or, consider a self-watering planter that will dispense just the right amount of water to keep the soil consistently damp.

Maintain a stable temperature. Many fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers like it warm, around 75 degrees during daylight hours. If you have central air, be sure to supplement your indoor garden with a little extra heat with a small space heater. Cooler-season plants like lettuce and spinach prefer milder temps, around 65 degrees, and will wilt if it gets too warm.

Maintain proper indoor humidity levels. If humidity levels are too high, your garden is at risk of fungal disease. Running a dehumidifier or your home’s central air system can help keep humidity levels between 40 and 50 percent.

Add nutrients. Most potting mix won’t supply your fruits, vegetables, and herbs with the nutrients they need to produce a bountiful harvest. Choose a high quality fertilizer and apply according to manufacturer directions.

While eating home-grown produce is good for your body, a custom-designed security system is good for your family’s protection. If you don’t have one or it’s time to consider an upgrade, contact us today for a free in-home consultation.

How to Improve Family Wellness

You know why a certain events, pastimes, and issues of general interest have a month named after them?  When they aren’t getting enough attention all by itself.

Just for the record, May is national Family Wellness Month.  And yet if it’s observed and practiced only once per year, not much good will be accomplished.  That’s why we encourage you to put these and other family wellness steps into your family’s routine.

1. Eat together. It sounds simple, but most American families eat their dinner at different times. So, to the extent possible, find a meal time that works for everyone, even if it’s not seven days a week.  Next, turn off the TV and any other distracting electronic device.  That includes cell phones!  Studies show that family dinners may be more important to a child’s academic success than athletics, art, homework and religious participation!
2. Play together. Sit in front of the TV after dinner, just don’t turn it on. Instead, play a board game the whole family can enjoy. A family game night not only allows you to spend time together, but lets the kids use their problem-solving skills.
3. Exercise together. Imagine spending time together while improving everyone’s emotional and physical health. From walks in the woods to traditional sports like basketball and tennis, kids enjoy getting exercise while both children and adults need it for a healthier lifestyle.
4. Read together. Kids love stories, whether reading from a book or making them up. And what better time to tell a story than bedtime…depending on the child’s age, or course.
5. Talk about your childhood. While history is becoming a lost art in our school systems, kids still enjoying about the past, whether it’s yours or our country’s. It’s a great learning tool, one more chance to bond, and an opportunity for kids to ask questions and maybe even continue learning in their own time.

At Now Security Systems, we’re all about family well-being. Let us know if there’s anything we can do to enhance yours.

These are not simple or certain times we live in.  Have you ever forgotten to arm your security system before leaving the house for the day?  If so, you’re not alone. Fake contractors and handymen knocking on your door with mischief on their minds? All too common. And let’s not forget the common burglar who seeks entry into your home, one who’s most likely to try getting in through a door before attempting another means of access.

For these and other reasons, you might just be a candidate for a smart lock for one or more of your home’s entry doors. It’s a technically advanced device that provides secure keyless access, user identification and even automated control of other devices

When installed as part of a home security system, a smart lock gives you smart access control, awareness of important events, and automated convenience.

Smart access control enables you to provide secure access to your home for friends and family members via unique four-digit codes. You also can create unique codes for your children, house cleaner, or a trusted contractor who you allow to work inside your home without supervision. Afraid that these codes can be stolen or shared? Set an expiration date for each one that only you are aware of.

For even greater peace of mind, you’ll know when someone enters your home using their four-digit code and, because each code is unique, you’ll also know who that person is. If your kids typically arrive home before you do, you can receive a smartphone alert every day when they unlock the door.

A smart lock can also trigger other devices in your home to act, saving you time and money. When you lock up in the morning, your smart lock can trigger your security system to arm, your garage door to close, and your lights to turn off. It can even trigger your smart thermostat to set back, saving energy while you’re out.

As advanced as smart locks are, a home security system – including carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, video surveillance cameras, and more – can do even more to enhance your family’s safety and peace of mind. Contact Now Security Systems today to learn more or schedule a free in-home security analysis and new system proposal.

The American population is aging, and at an increasingly rapid rate. In fact, it’s estimated that 30% of the American population will consist of seniors by 2030.

As with any such trend, opportunities and challenges are presenting themselves. In this case, the challenge is to do more to help keep seniors safe, especially at home. There are opportunities galore on how to accomplish that goal.

Let’s explore several of these now:

Keep emergency numbers handy 
Always keep a list of emergency numbers by each phone. Write this information in large enough print that you can read it easily if you are in a hurry or frightened. Be sure to list numbers for:

• 911
• Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
• Family member or friend to call in case of emergency
• Healthcare provider’s office

Prevent falls

The leading causes of emergency room visits throughout the country are injuries sustained from slips and falls. And the two population segments most susceptible are small children and seniors. What’s more, the number one location for such accidents is the bathroom. The good news is, there are numerous ways to provide added bathroom safety, including grab bars, walk-in tubs, and non-scalding shower valves.

Safety-proof your home

There are numerous ways to safety proof your home. Having fewer area rugs is a good starting point or, if you’re not willing to part with them, tape or staple them down. Also, us rails and banisters when going up and down the stairs, and never place scatter rugs at the bottom or top of stairs.

Protect against fire and related dangers

Fire is a risk every homeowner must prepare for. To help protect you and your home, keep a fire extinguisher inside or nearby your kitchen. Don’t wear loose clothes while cooking, and avoid using extension cords so you don’t overload a circuit. Notice frayed cord on an appliance? Have it replaced right away.

Prevent medication poisoning

Keep all medications in their original containers so you don’t mix them up. If you have trouble with your vision, ask your pharmacist to use large-print medicine bottle labels.  Also, take your meds in a well-lit room so there’s no mistaking which is which.

And finally, is your home protected against intruders? If not, perhaps it’s time to consider a state-of-the-art security system, expertly installed and monitored by Now Security System. Our systems also include smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors for your added protection. To learn more for or request a free and no-obligation in-home consultation, contact our office today.