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.

Florida this is not, but those fortunate enough to have outdoor swimming pools still manage to take full advantage of the limited pool season.

Not that a pool comes labor or worry free, mind you. It’s a lot of work to open and maintain it.  And then there’s the safety angle, especially when it comes to keeping an eye on your children.  Well, who better to turn to than the American Red Cross. Straight from its website, they offer these important safety tips:

• Secure your pool with appropriate barriers. Completely surround your pool with a 4-feet high fence or barrier with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Place a safety cover on the pool or hot tub when not in use and remove any ladders or steps used for access. Consider installing a pool alarm that goes off if anyone enters the pool.
• Keep children under active supervision at all times. Stay in arm’s reach of young kids. Designate a responsible person to watch the water when people are in the pool—never allow anyone to swim alone. Have young or inexperienced swimmers wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• Ensure everyone in the home knows how to swim well by enrolling them in age-appropriate water orientation and learn-to-swim courses from the Red Cross.
• Keep your pool or hot tub water clean and clear. Maintain proper chemical levels, circulation and filtration. Regularly test and adjust the chemical levels to minimize the risk of earaches, rashes or more serious diseases.
• Establish and enforce rules and safe behaviors, such as “no diving,” “stay away from drain covers,” “swim with a buddy” and “walk please.”
• Ensure everyone in the home knows how to respond to aquatic emergencies by having appropriate safety equipment and taking water safety, first aid and CPR courses from the Red Cross.

For added pace of mind, consider adding one or more video cameras to your home security system.  That way, you can keep an eye on the pool even when no one’s using it to help prevent uninvited guests from crashing the party or even your own kids sneaking back outdoors for an extra dip in the pool. For more information, contact Now Security Systems today.

We have plenty of customers – so they tell us – who are incredibly well-organized at work. After all, why make things harder for yourself when efficiency is the name of the game. And yet many of these same people don’t rate themselves quite so well when it comes home organization.  Clothes here and there, cereal boxes and other food items that are hard to reach, keys and gloves that can’t be found…the list goes on and on.

So, what’s a true neatnik like you going to do about it?  Here’s a good head start:

Bins: Storage bins come in many different sizes and colors, but stackable bins enable you to make the most of available space. Use them in the kitchen, bathroom, under beds for off-season clothing, and more.

Hanging shoe bag: Here’s an exchange from an old Three Stooges short:

“Hey, what’s behind that door?”

“The other side of the door!”

Take one of your closet doors, for example? Could you hand a shoe bag on its back side? If so, you’ll free up a bunch of floor space. Put on the back of your linen closet door, and you have a ready-made space for cleaning supplies.     

Lazy Susan: A Lazy Susan not only helps you organize under-cabinet items for ease of access and so you remember what’ back there!

Stepped shelving:  Here’s another convenient way to reach items in the back spaces of a pantry, closet or cabinet shelves. With stepped shelving, you can turn one shelf into two or more to maximize the height of the space available to you.     

Pegboard: A peg board is a great addition to any pantry.  With a few S hooks attached to it, you can hang kitchen utensils and cookware and gain more drawer at the same time. Where else could you use a peg board? How about your garage of work shop?

A well-organized home can only simplify things for you and give you more time to enjoy friends and family, or simply being alone.

Once the warm weather comes, getting the gas grill going is never far behind. Light it up, cook a meal, enjoy, and go to bed nice and full.  Pretty automatic all the way around.

What’s not quite as automatic is cleaning the grill.  “Aw, it looks okay, we’ll get it next time” are words heard from one yard to yard, and neighborhood to neighborhood. And yet, like it or not, the longer you wait, the nastier the job.

So, from our house to yours, here are some friendly tips on how to clean your grill…and remember, the more often the better.

Grill Cleaning Aids 

• Bucket or basin of soapy water
• Grill brush
• Bristle brush
• Rags or paper towels
• Rubber gloves (optional) 

Grill Cleaning Instructions

1. Detach the gas tank from the grill or simply make sure the gas supply is turned off. Also take this opportunity to inspect all hoses and connections for signs of damage.
2. Remove the grill grates and clean them with the grill brush, removing as much stuck on food and grease as possible.
3. Remove anything covering the burners, like ceramic briquettes, lava stones, or V-shaped metal bars, and brush off any food or debris.
4. Gently brush the burner tubes and inspect the gas ports to make sure they are clean and open.
5. Use a brush or rag to clean any debris out of the bottom of the grill and the lid. If you notice any peeling paint, use a bristle brush to remove carbon flakes.
6. Use soapy water to clean the grease collection tray. Replace any disposable pans if needed.
7. Wipe the outside of the grill and side tables with soapy and water.
8. Once everything is dry, replace all removable parts, and get ready to fire it up!

Gas grill safety is another matter, but one we encourage you to give it’s fair due. That includes keeping your grill at least ten feet from you house and keeping a fire extinguisher close by. We’re in the safety business, too, and we want all of your backyard grilling to be free of damage and personal harm.

Warm weather and grilling go hand in hand. A weekend barbecue is a great opportunity to gather with family and friends, enjoy the beautiful weather, and savor both new and long-fancied barbecue recipes.

But as fun and delicious as summertime grilling can be, it’s not without its risks. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that grills, smokers, and hibachis cause an average of 8,300 fires each year, many of which can be prevented with a few simple – but important – safety measures.

• Thoroughly inspect your grill before firing it up for the season and check it periodicallyr. Check for rust on propane tanks, loose or corroded hoses and couplings, and damaged vents and grates.
• Position your grill on a flat, stable surface at least 10 feet away from any buildings, deck railings, overhangs or low-lying branches.

• Clean your grill often, removing any fat or grease residue from grates and catch trays.

• Do not pour any flammable liquids onto a lit grill to avoid flare ups. And only use lighter fluid to light a charcoal grill.

• Don’t wear loose, flowy clothing while cooking, and use long-handled grilling tools and heat resistant oven mitts to avoid getting burned.

• Place ashes, charcoal, and briquettes in a metal container and douse them with plenty of water, then cover that with a lid. Wait at least a few days before disposing of them permanently.

• Never leave a burning grill unattended and keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case.

• In case of a large flare up or fire, close the lid immediately. For a gas grill, turn off the gas and propane tank if you can do so safely. If the fire cannot be easily extinguished, call 911 immediately from a safe distance.

At Now Security Systems, we’re all about helping you enjoy the best of times without fearing the worst of times. With that in mind, contact us if your home security system isn’t up to par, or if you haven’t yet acquired one.

To update or not to update? Your home, that is. Well, just like always, the decision comes down to a few key variables:

• What are you trying to accomplish
• What’s your budget
• Are you planning to do the work yourself or sub it out

Obviously, there’s more to it than that, but for now, let’s assume that money IS an object, you’re going for a single and not a home run, and generally want to keep your home in the best possible shape.  Here are a few quick and easy ways to go about that.

Accessorize a room with paint. Pick a bold or contrasting color and paint just one wall. It takes less time and paint to cover one wall than it would an entire room and yet still delivers a dramatic result.

Update the kitchen or bathroom faucet. Grab a wrench and kick that old, leaky faucet to the curb. Turn off the water supply, unscrew the connections from the old faucet and screw in the new one. While you’re at it, add an aerator to save water and a few bucks on your water bill.

Clean out your dryer duct. Not only can lint buildup make your dryer dry less efficient, it can cause a home fire. Simply unplug your dryer, move it away from the wall, disconnect the duct, and vacuum it out as best you can.

Perform an electrical inspection. Walk around your home to inspect light switches, outlets, power strips, and cords. Replace any frayed cords and adjust overloaded outlets. Repair any light switches that spark or are hot to the touch, and tighten any loose outlets. If you have small children in the house, make sure all outlets have securely installed covers. For those tasks you don’t feel qualified to tackle on your own, contact a licensed electrician for assistance.

Update cabinet hardware. Even if you can’t afford a kitchen or bathroom makeover, you can still update its look by installing new cabinet hardware. You won’t need much more than a screwdriver plus the new handles, knobs, or pulls. If you’re installing pulls on drawers and doors that didn’t have them before, make a template so you can be sure you’re drilling in the same spot each time.

Install weather-stripping around windows and doors. Weather stripping is an easy and inexpensive way to keep things nice and comfortable indoors while cutting your heating and cooling costs. Install permanent weather-stripping with adhesive around windows and doors that are opened and closed throughout the seasons, or temporary seals that can peel off when no longer needed.

How about your home security system…could it benefit from an upgrade of its own? If so, we’re just the people to talk to:  Now Security Systems. Contact us today for answers to your questions and guidance on how to better protect your home and family.

Look around your home, and here’s what you’ll see: more safety hazards for small children than you can say “No, don’t!” to. The trick is knowing what to look for.

In the interest of helping you protect your children from harm, are several ways to childproof your home in two of the most frequently occupied room:  your kitchen and living (or family) room.

Living areas

• Cover all unused sockets with plastic protectors
• Always be on the lookout for small objects kids can put in their mouths and potentially swallow – that list includes game pieces, buttons, coins, and so many more
• Check all electrical cords to ensure they’re not frayed or otherwise damaged
• Remove sharp objects away from high traffic areas
• Install a safety gate at the top and bottom of stairs until your child has mastered the art of climbing without falling
• Try to avoid purchasing poisonous plants, but you do have any, keep them well out of reach of small, curious hands and mouths
• Fasten high bookcases and other tall pieces of furniture to the wall so they can’t be pulled down
• Keep furniture away from windows
• Check your doorstops for removable caps that pose a choking hazard

Kitchen

• Keep cleaning supplies in a high cabinet rather than under the sink
• Use childproof locks on all lower cabinets
• Don’t leave mouse or insect traps in places where your baby can find them.
• Keep your oven door locked, even when it’s in use
• Use back burners for cooking whenever possible and turn the handles of pots and pans toward the back of the stove
• Remove magnets from the fridge because, if they fall down, they become choking hazards

At Now Security Systems we offer optional video cameras and monitors so you can keep a watchful eye on your children when you’re not in the same room. It’s just one of several ways we can help make your life less stressful and worry-free. Contact us today for more information or a free in-home security evaluation.

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.

The holiday season is upon us and neighborhoods everywhere are aglow with festive lights and decorations. But as you deck the halls and prepare to hunker down for the colder months ahead, don’t forget to get your home winter-ready.

Here are 10 simple tasks to help ensure that the increased time you spend indoors is both safe and comfortable.

1. Clean your dryer vent to help prevent lint build-up that can start a house fire.
2. Insulate water pipes with foam or electrical duct tape to help protect them freezing, cracking, and spilling their contents.
3. Check all electrical cords for any sign of frayed or cracked wiring. More home fires occur during the winter months than any other time of year.
4. Clean or replace your furnace filter every 6-8 weeks, to help keep your home dust- and allergen-free.
5. Empty your kitchen cupboards and drawers and wipe down the insides with a damp cloth. Use this opportunity to toss any food items that may have expired.
6. Dust your ceiling fan blades, and set your fan to run in reverse. This helps push warm air down where you need it most while cutting back on your energy costs.
7. Vacuum behind your refrigerator and check for any signs of a water leak. A water stain on your floor or molding could indicate that water is leaked into your floorboards behind, and that can introduce problems like mold growth and floor or ceiling rot.
8. Winterize your front entry by placing a rough mat outside for wiping off snow and mud, and an absorbent one inside to soak up moisture. Consider adding a boot tray to further simplify your house cleaning regimen.
9. Check your firewood supply and restock if needed. If you use your fireplace a lot, you should have it professionally cleaned once a year to remove creosote from inside the chimney. Creosote can catch fire.
10. Keep shades and other window treatments open during the day on sun-facing walls. That allows your home to warm up while further reducing energy costs. Once dusk falls, close the window treatments to retain the added heat.

You know what else can help you prevent winter-time problems? A new or updated security system complete with video cameras and remote Wi-Fi access to them even when you’re away from home. The problems are those you can prevent. The second best are those you catch quickly and put a stop to. For more information or a free in-home consultation and proposal, contact Now Security Systems today.