14 ’80s Decor Trends That Are Back In a Big Way

Primary Palette

For such a minimal design, these powder-coated steel bookends sure pack an ’80s punch. They come in bright primary colors, which haven’t had a moment in roughly 30 years. And while this longer-flanged design was created to support even the heaviest art books, it evokes that squishy, bubbly cartoon-’80s feel. (Can’t you just see your Garfield comics collection wedged in here?)

Build your own suspended bookshelves.

Shop Now

Article source here: 14 ’80s Decor Trends That Are Back In a Big Way

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How to Care For Christmas Flowers

Caring for Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus, and More

Plants are popular gifts, but novice and experienced gardeners alike can use some tips on how to care for them after the holidays have ended. Here are some of the most popular holiday plant gifts and how to take care of them. Learn more about poinsettias as traditional Christmas plants here.

Poinsettia

Many people simply keep their poinsettias around until they’ve lost their colored leaves, and then throw them out. But with a little care, poinsettias can be brought back to bloom year after year. Here are 5 things you didn’t know about poinsettias.

• Poinsettias are photosensitive, and bloom only when they receive at least 12-14 hours of complete darkness each day. To keep them blooming year after year, you just need to mimic their yearly growth cycle.
• For now, keep your potted poinsettia in a bright sunny window and water well when the soil feels dry. In spring, cut it back and transplant it to a bigger pot. You can move it outside for the summer months if you like. Next fall, begin ensuring the plant receives the necessary 12 – 14 hours of darkness by keeping it in a room with no artificial light, or placing a box over it at night. The colored leaves and blooms should appear in about 8 weeks.
• If you live in zone 9 or higher, skip all the complications and just try growing poinsettias outside! Plant them in well-drained soil where they will receive plenty of sun, but avoid areas that have nighttime lighting, like streetlights or solar lighting. This will keep them from blooming. In warm climates, the tiny yellow flowers will even draw butterflies in winter!

Christmas Cactus

Like poinsettias, Christmas Cactus knows it’s time to bloom when they start receiving 12 – 14 hours of complete darkness each night. Water sparingly throughout the year and keep in bright indirect light.

• When fall arrives, follow the same procedure as with poinsettias, keeping them in a room with no artificial light or placing a box over them at night.
• You can try growing Christmas Cactus outdoors in warmer climates, but this plant is from the coastal mountains of Brazil and has very specific growing conditions. You’ll do better keeping it in a pot so you can monitor and adjust the conditions more easily. See some great holiday decorating ideas for minimalists.

Amaryllis

Because your amaryllis bulb was likely “forced” to bloom in time for Christmas, especially if you received one in full bloom, it may take a few years before this warm-climate bulb is ready to flower again. Don’t give up, though! Amaryllis are pretty easy to care for in the off-season, and their spectacular blooms make it worth your effort when they return. Here’s when to plant flower bulbs indoors so they bloom during the holidays.

• Again, if you live in zone 9 or higher, just plant these outdoors. Once the flowers have died, cut the stalks back and plant outside. They do best in part shade with bright filtered light, but can withstand a variety of growing conditions as long as the soil is well-drained. Give them plenty of water all summer to encourage new growth, but taper off in the fall. Look for bloom stalks to appear by March or so. (Amaryllis natural bloom time is in the late winter or early spring, so they will not bloom for Christmas in the years ahead.) Like other bulbs, these will grow offsets (bulblets) that can be divided and planted elsewhere.
• In cooler zones where you must keep your amaryllis in a pot indoors, your goal will be to mimic the natural life cycle, including water and light.

Paperwhites and other forced bulbs.

Unfortunately, these bulbs are unlikely to bloom again next year. They have been “forced” by the growers to bloom quickly in the holiday season, and have used up all their stored reserves. If simply throwing them away is just too hard for you, you can try planting them outdoors to see what happens, but don’t count on them returning. Here are 12 quirky Christmas traditions you might want to try

Article source here: How to Care For Christmas Flowers

Article source here:

20 Gifts the High-Tech Chef Will Love

Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender

Anyone who’s ever used a hand blender knows the trials and tribulations of cleaning up after the fact. Enter this smart home device from Cuisinart that allows you to make a smoothie or pureed soup right in the cup, bowl, pitcher or pot, eliminating the need to clean up a blender at all. Cleaning the actual device is just as easy, thanks to an easy-wipe handle and dishwasher-safe attachments.

Are you a smart homeowner? Here are 14 things you should be doing once a month.

Shop Now

Article source here: 20 Gifts the High-Tech Chef Will Love

Article source here:

14 ’80s Decor Trends That Are Back In a Big Way

Primary Palette

For such a minimal design, these powder-coated steel bookends sure pack an ’80s punch. They come in bright primary colors, which haven’t had a moment in roughly 30 years. And while this longer-flanged design was created to support even the heaviest art books, it evokes that squishy, bubbly cartoon-’80s feel. (Can’t you just see your Garfield comics collection wedged in here?)

Build your own suspended bookshelves.

Shop Now

Article source here: 14 ’80s Decor Trends That Are Back In a Big Way

How to Care For Christmas Flowers

Caring for Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus, and More

Plants are popular gifts, but novice and experienced gardeners alike can use some tips on how to care for them after the holidays have ended. Here are some of the most popular holiday plant gifts and how to take care of them. Learn more about poinsettias as traditional Christmas plants here.

Poinsettia

Many people simply keep their poinsettias around until they’ve lost their colored leaves, and then throw them out. But with a little care, poinsettias can be brought back to bloom year after year. Here are 5 things you didn’t know about poinsettias.

• Poinsettias are photosensitive, and bloom only when they receive at least 12-14 hours of complete darkness each day. To keep them blooming year after year, you just need to mimic their yearly growth cycle.
• For now, keep your potted poinsettia in a bright sunny window and water well when the soil feels dry. In spring, cut it back and transplant it to a bigger pot. You can move it outside for the summer months if you like. Next fall, begin ensuring the plant receives the necessary 12 – 14 hours of darkness by keeping it in a room with no artificial light, or placing a box over it at night. The colored leaves and blooms should appear in about 8 weeks.
• If you live in zone 9 or higher, skip all the complications and just try growing poinsettias outside! Plant them in well-drained soil where they will receive plenty of sun, but avoid areas that have nighttime lighting, like streetlights or solar lighting. This will keep them from blooming. In warm climates, the tiny yellow flowers will even draw butterflies in winter!

Christmas Cactus

Like poinsettias, Christmas Cactus knows it’s time to bloom when they start receiving 12 – 14 hours of complete darkness each night. Water sparingly throughout the year and keep in bright indirect light.

• When fall arrives, follow the same procedure as with poinsettias, keeping them in a room with no artificial light or placing a box over them at night.
• You can try growing Christmas Cactus outdoors in warmer climates, but this plant is from the coastal mountains of Brazil and has very specific growing conditions. You’ll do better keeping it in a pot so you can monitor and adjust the conditions more easily. See some great holiday decorating ideas for minimalists.

Amaryllis

Because your amaryllis bulb was likely “forced” to bloom in time for Christmas, especially if you received one in full bloom, it may take a few years before this warm-climate bulb is ready to flower again. Don’t give up, though! Amaryllis are pretty easy to care for in the off-season, and their spectacular blooms make it worth your effort when they return. Here’s when to plant flower bulbs indoors so they bloom during the holidays.

• Again, if you live in zone 9 or higher, just plant these outdoors. Once the flowers have died, cut the stalks back and plant outside. They do best in part shade with bright filtered light, but can withstand a variety of growing conditions as long as the soil is well-drained. Give them plenty of water all summer to encourage new growth, but taper off in the fall. Look for bloom stalks to appear by March or so. (Amaryllis natural bloom time is in the late winter or early spring, so they will not bloom for Christmas in the years ahead.) Like other bulbs, these will grow offsets (bulblets) that can be divided and planted elsewhere.
• In cooler zones where you must keep your amaryllis in a pot indoors, your goal will be to mimic the natural life cycle, including water and light.

Paperwhites and other forced bulbs.

Unfortunately, these bulbs are unlikely to bloom again next year. They have been “forced” by the growers to bloom quickly in the holiday season, and have used up all their stored reserves. If simply throwing them away is just too hard for you, you can try planting them outdoors to see what happens, but don’t count on them returning. Here are 12 quirky Christmas traditions you might want to try

Article source here: How to Care For Christmas Flowers

20 Gifts the High-Tech Chef Will Love

Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender

Anyone who’s ever used a hand blender knows the trials and tribulations of cleaning up after the fact. Enter this smart home device from Cuisinart that allows you to make a smoothie or pureed soup right in the cup, bowl, pitcher or pot, eliminating the need to clean up a blender at all. Cleaning the actual device is just as easy, thanks to an easy-wipe handle and dishwasher-safe attachments.

Are you a smart homeowner? Here are 14 things you should be doing once a month.

Shop Now

Article source here: 20 Gifts the High-Tech Chef Will Love

6 Surprising Facts About Bats

Going Bat-ty

Get to know more about bats with these crazy-cool fun facts about bats!

1. The largest bat in the United States is the greater mastiff—its wings reach 2 feet across. The giant golden-crowned flying fox is the largest bat in the world. Found in the Philippines, its wingspan stretches 5-½ feet! Here’s how to prevent a bat problem.

2. Bats live long lives for their tiny size, about 20 years. A few even live to 40! Using their fantastic senses of direction, they may return to the same backyards and nesting places every year.

3. Almost 1,300 species of bats are found worldwide. The little brown bat is the most abundant in North America. They pick out different roosts for day, night and hibernation. If you have bats in your attic, here’s how to get rid of them.

4. Like bumblebees, bats benefit agriculture. They pollinate more than 300 varieties of fruit, including mangoes and bananas, as well as almond and cashew trees. And if you like tequila, thank bats. They help fertilize agave, tequila’s main ingredient. More than 500 plant species count on bats for pollination.

5. Most female bats have just one pup a year. This small family size makes it hard to maintain population levels and leaves bats very susceptible to dangers like disease, pesticides, habitat loss and deforestation.

6. If your outdoor gatherings are mosquito-free, give the credit to bats. Many eat more than 1,000 bugs in an hour, keeping yards and gardens safe from irksome pests. Here’s how to build a bat house for your backyard.

If you like bats, you’re bound to like humming birds too. Check out these are jaw-dropping interesting facts about humming birds.

Article source here: 6 Surprising Facts About Bats

Article source here:

The Best Things to Add to Your Home For Fall Décor

Fall Hydrangea Wreath

Handmade to order on a grapevine base, this beautiful autumn wreath will dress up your front door and accent your porch. There are three bows and four size options available. Whether you prefer cute, classic or creepy, we’ve got a fall wreath for you!

Shop Now

Article source here: The Best Things to Add to Your Home For Fall Décor

Article source here:

6 Surprising Facts About Bats

Going Bat-ty

Get to know more about bats with these crazy-cool fun facts about bats!

1. The largest bat in the United States is the greater mastiff—its wings reach 2 feet across. The giant golden-crowned flying fox is the largest bat in the world. Found in the Philippines, its wingspan stretches 5-1/2 feet! Here’s how to prevent a bat problem.

2. Bats live long lives for their tiny size, about 20 years. A few even live to 40! Using their fantastic senses of direction, they may return to the same backyards and nesting places every year.

3. Almost 1,300 species of bats are found worldwide. The little brown bat is the most abundant in North America. They pick out different roosts for day, night and hibernation. If you have bats in your attic, here’s how to get rid of them.

4. Like bumblebees, bats benefit agriculture. They pollinate more than 300 varieties of fruit, including mangoes and bananas, as well as almond and cashew trees. And if you like tequila, thank bats. They help fertilize agave, tequila’s main ingredient. More than 500 plant species count on bats for pollination.

5. Most female bats have just one pup a year. This small family size makes it hard to maintain population levels and leaves bats very susceptible to dangers like disease, pesticides, habitat loss and deforestation.

6. If your outdoor gatherings are mosquito-free, give the credit to bats. Many eat more than 1,000 bugs in an hour, keeping yards and gardens safe from irksome pests. Here’s how to build a bat house for your backyard.

If you like bats, you’re bound to like humming birds too. Check out these are jaw-dropping interesting facts about humming birds.

Article source here: 6 Surprising Facts About Bats

The Best Things to Add to Your Home For Fall Décor

Fall Hydrangea Wreath

Handmade to order on a grapevine base, this beautiful autumn wreath will dress up your front door and accent your porch. There are three bows and four size options available. Whether you prefer cute, classic or creepy, we’ve got a fall wreath for you!

Shop Now

Article source here: The Best Things to Add to Your Home For Fall Décor

Quick Wildfire Safety Tips: A Guide For Preparing Your Family

To protect your family and home from a wildfire’s dangerous flames, you need to practice wildfire safety tips. A wildfire approaching your home is nothing to take lightly. These flames catch fast and can spread rapidly at a speed of 6 miles-per-hour in forests and 14 miles-per-hour in grasslands. This means waiting until a wildfire is in your area to research safety precautions is not ideal. Prepare your family ahead of time by following the suggestions below.

How to Stay Safe with Wildfire Smoke

Wildfires are most known for their vicious flames that whip through and destroy anything in their way. But the smoke they bring with them is also dangerous and worthy of concern. According to the CDC, the thick, black gas contains tiny particles from the trees and plants it ravaged through. This is dangerous to us humans because it can produce a burning sensation in our eyes, causing our noses to grow runny, trigger uncomfortable coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing.

Smoke can have more severe effects on young children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Most young children are at risk because their airways are still developing, causing them to breathe more air than adults. This can be harmful if the air they breathe becomes polluted with smoke.

The elderly are more prone to heart and lung diseases. Therefore, they should avoid being around smoke because it can worsen the symptoms of their disease.

Pregnant women should steer clear of wildfire smoke because the gas can lead to lower birth weight.

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to make it easier to evacuate a wildfire with thick layers of smoke. This includes packing an emergency kit that’s ready at all times and is filled with essential safety items, such as respirators or prescribed medications that will make breathing easier. Keep your doors and windows closed to limit the number of smoke particles that enter your home. Avoid burning candles, using your fireplace or practicing any other activity that can increase the number of particles floating in the air.

You should also stay up-to-date on local air quality reports. Lastly, evacuate your city as soon as you hear a fire is heading your way.

Wildfire Safety Tips for the Home

Plot twist: we humans start most wildfires. Once they’ve started, they can continue to grow as long as there’s flammable material for them to gobble, air to keep their flames alive and a heat source, like the sun or warmth from campfires, to keep their fire hot.

While it might seem like there’s not a lot you can do to protect your home from a wildfire’s vicious flames, there are critical steps you can take to reduce the level of damage your home takes on.

Find the Right Material

One wildfire safety tip for homeowners living in fire activity zones is to install double-pane tempered glass windows throughout their homes. These are more fireproof than single-pane windows. Fire prevention can start at your roof, too. This is especially truthful considering wooden roofs are more likely to attract flames. Reliable, alternative roofing solutions include fire-resistant substances like slate, terra cotta or metal. Install sprinklers on your roof to keep its surface hydrated and protected from brush fires.

Source out Succulents

When planning your landscape, reconsider keeping the succulents indoors. Instead, take the advice of a Santa Fe, California couple who believes their succulents kept their home safe from a wildfire that burned through their neighborhood. The couple kept succulents encircled around their home’s exterior; after the fire, they noticed the leaves of their aloe plants were not burnt and that the wildfire’s flames stopped 6 feet from their house—where the succulents were. This is because succulents are fire retardant. So a succulent’s leaves may endure devastating damage, but they will not spread the fiery flames.

Discard Debris

Another wildfire safety tip for your yard is to keep your lawn clear of debris. While most people like to keep their yard clear for the sake of appearance, we suggest keeping your yard clear to reduce potential flames on your yard. This is because fires like to cling to and feed on debris, like loose branches, dry leaves, vines or even lawn furniture. You can reduce the amount of debris on your property by routinely maintaining your tree branches. Long tree branches are most likely to catch on fire, so you should trim your branches before they get too close to the ground.

If you’re planning out your landscape, plant your trees a comfortable distance from each other so they can’t easily spread flames.

Finally, avoid keeping firewood close to your home, trim growing vegetation and have a working garden hose at the ready.

Wildfire Safety Checklist: How to Prepare Your Family

It’s much easier to evacuate an approaching wildfire when your entire family is prepared and understands the urgency of the situation. Here are some ways you can make sure everyone in your household is on the same page.

Preparing Your Children

Fires can be a sensitive subject for young children.

When it’s time to educate your children on the dangers of flames, be mindful of the words you use. Avoid using language that will frighten them but do make sure they’re aware of the situation’s urgency. You can encourage your child to build their knowledge of fire safety by playing engaging and interactive games online, such as the ones available on Smokey the Bear’s website. Make sure your children understand the evacuation protocol. Try drawing out an evacuation plan to make the discussion more engaging and easy-to-remember.

Evacuating With Your Pets

Your furry friends need to be ready for a wildfire, too. Keep them safe with an emergency kit that’s stored in an easy-to-access location. This kit should include food, water, bowls, a leash, and a litter box or plastic bags for disposing of their waste on the road. Oh and don’t forget a few of their favorite toys to help calm their nerves.

Unfortunately, some circumstances will make it impossible to bring your pets with you during an evacuation. Protect your pet by placing a rescue alert sticker in an easy-to-see location close to the front of your home so first-responders can rescue them.

Pack a First-Aid Kit

When a wildfire is approaching your home, there’s little time to sit down and plan which items to bring before you hit the road. Stay prepared by having a designated first-aid kit ready in an easy-to-reach location. Click here for a full list of what your first-aid kit should include.

Have Emergency Bag Ready

You never know how long your family will be on the road and if you’ll be able to stop for toiletries or a change of clothes. Keep an emergency bag packed and ready to grab at a moment’s notice to limit your stops while en route. It’s a great idea to pack games or movies to play in the car as a source for calming nerves or easing tension among the passengers while evacuating the flames.

Know Where Your Car Keys Are

The last thing you’ll want to search for before escaping a wildfire is your car keys.  An easy-to-follow wildfire safety tip is to make sure to leave your keys in a visible location, like on a kitchen counter or a table by the front door. Colorful and uniquely shaped dishes are a great place to store your keys and add some fun to your home as well.

Equip Your Home With Essential Fire Safety Equipment

Wildfires can grow to become large and devastating beasts, but most of them are preventable. Many house fires are also preventable.

You can keep flames from growing in your home with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. When searching for the right detectors, look no further than Protect America. We protect homes and families with innovative smoke detectors that have an emergency response time averaging 12 seconds.
When carbon monoxide builds up in your home, it becomes a harmful gas capable of poisoning you and your loved ones. Keep your family from breathing in dangerous air particles with carbon monoxide detectors. Give us a call today to customize your security package and start protecting your home with life safety technology.

The post Quick Wildfire Safety Tips: A Guide For Preparing Your Family appeared first on Protect America Blog.

Article source here: Quick Wildfire Safety Tips: A Guide For Preparing Your Family

Quick Wildfire Safety Tips: A Guide For Preparing Your Family

To protect your family and home from a wildfire’s dangerous flames, you need to practice wildfire safety tips. A wildfire approaching your home is nothing to take lightly. These flames catch fast and can spread rapidly at a speed of 6 miles-per-hour in forests and 14 miles-per-hour in grasslands. This means waiting until a wildfire is in your area to research safety precautions is not ideal. Prepare your family ahead of time by following the suggestions below.

How to Stay Safe with Wildfire Smoke

Wildfires are most known for their vicious flames that whip through and destroy anything in their way. But the smoke they bring with them is also dangerous and worthy of concern. According to the CDC, the thick, black gas contains tiny particles from the trees and plants it ravaged through. This is dangerous to us humans because it can produce a burning sensation in our eyes, causing our noses to grow runny, trigger uncomfortable coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing.

Smoke can have more severe effects on young children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Most young children are at risk because their airways are still developing, causing them to breathe more air than adults. This can be harmful if the air they breathe becomes polluted with smoke.

The elderly are more prone to heart and lung diseases. Therefore, they should avoid being around smoke because it can worsen the symptoms of their disease.

Pregnant women should steer clear of wildfire smoke because the gas can lead to lower birth weight.

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to make it easier to evacuate a wildfire with thick layers of smoke. This includes packing an emergency kit that’s ready at all times and is filled with essential safety items, such as respirators or prescribed medications that will make breathing easier. Keep your doors and windows closed to limit the number of smoke particles that enter your home. Avoid burning candles, using your fireplace or practicing any other activity that can increase the number of particles floating in the air.

You should also stay up-to-date on local air quality reports. Lastly, evacuate your city as soon as you hear a fire is heading your way.

Wildfire Safety Tips for the Home

Plot twist: we humans start most wildfires. Once they’ve started, they can continue to grow as long as there’s flammable material for them to gobble, air to keep their flames alive and a heat source, like the sun or warmth from campfires, to keep their fire hot.

While it might seem like there’s not a lot you can do to protect your home from a wildfire’s vicious flames, there are critical steps you can take to reduce the level of damage your home takes on.

Find the Right Material

One wildfire safety tip for homeowners living in fire activity zones is to install double-pane tempered glass windows throughout their homes. These are more fireproof than single-pane windows. Fire prevention can start at your roof, too. This is especially truthful considering wooden roofs are more likely to attract flames. Reliable, alternative roofing solutions include fire-resistant substances like slate, terra cotta or metal. Install sprinklers on your roof to keep its surface hydrated and protected from brush fires.

Source out Succulents

When planning your landscape, reconsider keeping the succulents indoors. Instead, take the advice of a Santa Fe, California couple who believes their succulents kept their home safe from a wildfire that burned through their neighborhood. The couple kept succulents encircled around their home’s exterior; after the fire, they noticed the leaves of their aloe plants were not burnt and that the wildfire’s flames stopped 6 feet from their house—where the succulents were. This is because succulents are fire retardant. So a succulent’s leaves may endure devastating damage, but they will not spread the fiery flames.

Discard Debris

Another wildfire safety tip for your yard is to keep your lawn clear of debris. While most people like to keep their yard clear for the sake of appearance, we suggest keeping your yard clear to reduce potential flames on your yard. This is because fires like to cling to and feed on debris, like loose branches, dry leaves, vines or even lawn furniture. You can reduce the amount of debris on your property by routinely maintaining your tree branches. Long tree branches are most likely to catch on fire, so you should trim your branches before they get too close to the ground.

If you’re planning out your landscape, plant your trees a comfortable distance from each other so they can’t easily spread flames.

Finally, avoid keeping firewood close to your home, trim growing vegetation and have a working garden hose at the ready.

Wildfire Safety Checklist: How to Prepare Your Family

It’s much easier to evacuate an approaching wildfire when your entire family is prepared and understands the urgency of the situation. Here are some ways you can make sure everyone in your household is on the same page.

Preparing Your Children

Fires can be a sensitive subject for young children.

When it’s time to educate your children on the dangers of flames, be mindful of the words you use. Avoid using language that will frighten them but do make sure they’re aware of the situation’s urgency. You can encourage your child to build their knowledge of fire safety by playing engaging and interactive games online, such as the ones available on Smokey the Bear’s website. Make sure your children understand the evacuation protocol. Try drawing out an evacuation plan to make the discussion more engaging and easy-to-remember.

Evacuating With Your Pets

Your furry friends need to be ready for a wildfire, too. Keep them safe with an emergency kit that’s stored in an easy-to-access location. This kit should include food, water, bowls, a leash, and a litter box or plastic bags for disposing of their waste on the road. Oh and don’t forget a few of their favorite toys to help calm their nerves.

Unfortunately, some circumstances will make it impossible to bring your pets with you during an evacuation. Protect your pet by placing a rescue alert sticker in an easy-to-see location close to the front of your home so first-responders can rescue them.

Pack a First-Aid Kit

When a wildfire is approaching your home, there’s little time to sit down and plan which items to bring before you hit the road. Stay prepared by having a designated first-aid kit ready in an easy-to-reach location. Click here for a full list of what your first-aid kit should include.

Have Emergency Bag Ready

You never know how long your family will be on the road and if you’ll be able to stop for toiletries or a change of clothes. Keep an emergency bag packed and ready to grab at a moment’s notice to limit your stops while en route. It’s a great idea to pack games or movies to play in the car as a source for calming nerves or easing tension among the passengers while evacuating the flames.

Know Where Your Car Keys Are

The last thing you’ll want to search for before escaping a wildfire is your car keys.  An easy-to-follow wildfire safety tip is to make sure to leave your keys in a visible location, like on a kitchen counter or a table by the front door. Colorful and uniquely shaped dishes are a great place to store your keys and add some fun to your home as well.

Equip Your Home With Essential Fire Safety Equipment

Wildfires can grow to become large and devastating beasts, but most of them are preventable. Many house fires are also preventable.

You can keep flames from growing in your home with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. When searching for the right detectors, look no further than Protect America. We protect homes and families with innovative smoke detectors that have an emergency response time averaging 12 seconds.
When carbon monoxide builds up in your home, it becomes a harmful gas capable of poisoning you and your loved ones. Keep your family from breathing in dangerous air particles with carbon monoxide detectors. Give us a call today to customize your security package and start protecting your home with life safety technology.

The post Quick Wildfire Safety Tips: A Guide For Preparing Your Family appeared first on Protect America Blog.

Article source here: Quick Wildfire Safety Tips: A Guide For Preparing Your Family

Article source here:

Why Do People Love the Vivint Home Security System?

There’s a lot of buzz about Vivint Home Security System right now—U.S. News and World Report ranked it the “best full-service home security and automation solution” in their annual home security system guide. We did some digging to find out why. For more ideas, check out best smart home security systems for 2019.

Vivint In a Nutshell

Vivint offers a solid all-in-one home security system that they design, manufacture, install and guarantee. No third party involved means consistency in product and service.

It’s also a smart home automation system, allowing you to link with over 15 compatible devices to lock your doors, shut off your lights, control your thermostat and more, all from the Vivint touchscreen panel, mobile app or via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

Secrets from home security pros: Here’s what they think you should know.

Vivint Comes with Planning and Installation

Here’s another big selling point: Vivint sends out a Smart Home Pro to assess the layout of your house, talk to you about your needs and design a security system unique to your situation. Once you agree to a blueprint, the same Smart Home Pro handles the installation. (The assessment is free; installation runs you a flat $99 fee.)

Vivint Connected 24/7

Another benefit: You can contact Vivint Smart Home monitoring teams day or night through the instant two-way talk feature. If you have an emergency, an issue with your equipment or a question, just press the microphone icon on your SmartHub and you’ll immediately be connected to an agent. You can speak to family members and visitors through the touchscreen panel, too.

Protect yourself with these DIY home security projects and tips for every part of your house.

Vivint Is Innovative

Vivint was the first to develop a call-out feature from their Ping indoor camera. It’s a function, separate from the two-way talk feature, that’s especially great for parents leaving young kids home alone. Simply pushing a button on top of the camera initiates a video call through the Vivint app. Vivint integrated with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa before its competitors, too—further evidence of their tech-forward thinking. Did you know about these 10 smart google home devices to automate your home?

DIY Tips to theft proofing your home!

A Range of Cameras Options

Vivint connects with top-of-the-line cameras to spot intruders or capture the face of a package poacher. Here are few standouts in the $200 range. (Keep in mind that there’s a $5/month monitoring charge for each active camera.)

Ping Indoor Camera

The compact indoor option that pioneered the push-button call-out feature. Other draws: Smart motion detection activates 30-second recordings that are saved for two weeks, plus mobile alerts when something happens. Buy it now on Amazon.

Outdoor Camera Pro

This wireless outdoor-mount camera’s unique in that it can tell the difference between a vehicle and a person. When it detects a lurker, it records—and two-way talk lets you tell them to move on. Buy it now on Amazon.

Doorbell Camera

Unlike more bulky competitors, this one actually looks like a doorbell. It’s got all the standards, too—two-way talk, infrared night vision, recorded 30-second video clips viewable from your smartphone or computer.

Twelve home security cameras—reviewed and recommended!

How Much Does Vivint Cost?

The cost of Vivint depends on your custom equipment and monitoring selections.

A starter kit, for instance, will run you about $600 and provides the basics: A touchscreen Smart Hub, two door/window sensors, one water sensor and one motion sensor. You’ll probably want to add at least one camera, which runs anywhere from about $200 to $300 apiece. You can pay for your equipment upfront, or finance it over a few years. Vivint offers 42 or 60-month financing, which would put your basic equipment cost between $11-$15/month.

Then there’s the monitoring. In the situation above, you’d pay a base rate of $39.99 per month, plus $5 per camera for 24/7 video monitoring by a real live human.

Of course, the monthly cost goes up with any additional equipment purchased and monitored. Alternatively, paying outright for equipment and/or selecting a more bare-bones system drive it down.

Vivint vs. Ring

Vivint is a comprehensive pro-installed and monitored security and home automation system, whereas Ring is a self-installed stand-alone security system with optional monitoring. A super basic Ring starter security kit costs around $200, and even if you add a Ring Camera Doorbell for another $200—plus $10/month for monitoring, cellular back up and the recordings from all of your cameras—it’s still less expensive than Vivint. Here’s how to install the ring video doorbell 2.

Check out these strange things caught by Ring doorbells.

Vivint vs. ADT

ADT has been around in some form since 1874—yes, that’s closing in on 150 years—and has built up a large national network of monitoring centers and a good reputation, too. It also currently has a higher monthly monitoring charge than Vivint, requires a 36-month contract and rents you their equipment for a one-time fee of around $200.

In comparison, 20-year old Vivint is an industry newcomer that offers pick-and-choose, lease-to-purchase equipment—once it’s paid off, it’s yours. Vivint systems are also installed by Vivint employees, for service cohesion, whereas ADT relies on third parties for installation.

Check out our favorite security systems.

Article source here: Why Do People Love the Vivint Home Security System?

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15 Things You Should Know Before Doing DIY Electrical Work

Use GFCI Outlets Whenever Possible

GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter and it helps to monitor the amount of power being used in one outlet. For example, if you’re using one outlet for a powerful appliance or device, this will help to prevent electrocution—especially for those that are near water sources. GFCI will cut the power any time a slight variation is detected. Here’s how to install GFCI outlets.

Article source here: 15 Things You Should Know Before Doing DIY Electrical Work

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Home Inspector Nightmares You’ve Got to See

14 Technology Hacks for Homeowners

Save Time With a DIY Self-Draining Dehumidifier

If you forget to empty the tank on your dehumidifier, it’ll either overflow or shut off. That defeats the whole purpose of running a dehumidifier in damp areas. I didn’t have a floor drain in that part of the basement, so I bought a condensate pump ($40 to $100 on Amazon) and tubing and rigged it to my dehumidifier. Then I ran the tubing up to the ceiling, through the joist areas and down to the laundry tub. Now the dehumidifier runs full time, and I never need to empty the tank or worry about it shutting off. — Doug Baltzer

Check out these 9 Affordable Ways to Dry Up Your Wet Basement For Good!

Article source here: 14 Technology Hacks for Homeowners

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24 Simple Home Hacks to Save Money

Change Furnace Filter and Save up to $60 a Year

Keeping your furnace (gas or electric) tuned up has two big benefits: It makes the furnace run efficiently and it prolongs the furnace’s life span. And you can perform the annual tune-up yourself in about three hours (see Do It Yourself Furnace Maintenance Will Save A Repair Bill).Change the filter every month of the heating season (or year-round if the filter is also used for A/C). Be sure you insert the new one so it faces the right way. The filter protects the blower and its motor; a clogged filter makes the motor work harder and use more power.

Article source here: 24 Simple Home Hacks to Save Money

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Get a Peek At What Home Trends Are for 2020

What are Home Trends for 2020?

When 2019 rolled around we started to see the introduction of more earthy tones, sustainable design elements along with ethnic and tribal patters but what’s going to start trending in 2020? Take a review of 2019 home trends before diving into what’s happening in home décor for 2020.

Article source here: Get a Peek At What Home Trends Are for 2020

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Why Do People Love the Vivint Home Security System?

There’s a lot of buzz about Vivint Home Security System right now—U.S. News and World Report ranked it the “best full-service home security and automation solution” in their annual home security system guide. We did some digging to find out why. For more ideas, check out best smart home security systems for 2019.

Vivint In a Nutshell

Vivint offers a solid all-in-one home security system that they design, manufacture, install and guarantee. No third party involved means consistency in product and service.

It’s also a smart home automation system, allowing you to link with over 15 compatible devices to lock your doors, shut off your lights, control your thermostat and more, all from the Vivint touchscreen panel, mobile app or via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

Secrets from home security pros: Here’s what they think you should know.

Vivint Comes with Planning and Installation

Here’s another big selling point: Vivint sends out a Smart Home Pro to assess the layout of your house, talk to you about your needs and design a security system unique to your situation. Once you agree to a blueprint, the same Smart Home Pro handles the installation. (The assessment is free; installation runs you a flat $99 fee.)

Vivint Connected 24/7

Another benefit: You can contact Vivint Smart Home monitoring teams day or night through the instant two-way talk feature. If you have an emergency, an issue with your equipment or a question, just press the microphone icon on your SmartHub and you’ll immediately be connected to an agent. You can speak to family members and visitors through the touchscreen panel, too.

Protect yourself with these DIY home security projects and tips for every part of your house.

Vivint Is Innovative

Vivint was the first to develop a call-out feature from their Ping indoor camera. It’s a function, separate from the two-way talk feature, that’s especially great for parents leaving young kids home alone. Simply pushing a button on top of the camera initiates a video call through the Vivint app. Vivint integrated with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa before its competitors, too—further evidence of their tech-forward thinking. Did you know about these 10 smart google home devices to automate your home?

DIY Tips to theft proofing your home!

A Range of Cameras Options

Vivint connects with top-of-the-line cameras to spot intruders or capture the face of a package poacher. Here are few standouts in the $200 range. (Keep in mind that there’s a $5/month monitoring charge for each active camera.)

Ping Indoor Camera

The compact indoor option that pioneered the push-button call-out feature. Other draws: Smart motion detection activates 30-second recordings that are saved for two weeks, plus mobile alerts when something happens. Buy it now on Amazon.

Outdoor Camera Pro

This wireless outdoor-mount camera’s unique in that it can tell the difference between a vehicle and a person. When it detects a lurker, it records—and two-way talk lets you tell them to move on. Buy it now on Amazon.

Doorbell Camera

Unlike more bulky competitors, this one actually looks like a doorbell. It’s got all the standards, too—two-way talk, infrared night vision, recorded 30-second video clips viewable from your smartphone or computer.

Twelve home security cameras—reviewed and recommended!

How Much Does Vivint Cost?

The cost of Vivint depends on your custom equipment and monitoring selections.

A starter kit, for instance, will run you about $600 and provides the basics: A touchscreen Smart Hub, two door/window sensors, one water sensor and one motion sensor. You’ll probably want to add at least one camera, which runs anywhere from about $200 to $300 apiece. You can pay for your equipment upfront, or finance it over a few years. Vivint offers 42 or 60-month financing, which would put your basic equipment cost between $11-$15/month.

Then there’s the monitoring. In the situation above, you’d pay a base rate of $39.99 per month, plus $5 per camera for 24/7 video monitoring by a real live human.

Of course, the monthly cost goes up with any additional equipment purchased and monitored. Alternatively, paying outright for equipment and/or selecting a more bare-bones system drive it down.

Vivint vs. Ring

Vivint is a comprehensive pro-installed and monitored security and home automation system, whereas Ring is a self-installed stand-alone security system with optional monitoring. A super basic Ring starter security kit costs around $200, and even if you add a Ring Camera Doorbell for another $200—plus $10/month for monitoring, cellular back up and the recordings from all of your cameras—it’s still less expensive than Vivint. Here’s how to install the ring video doorbell 2.

Check out these strange things caught by Ring doorbells.

Vivint vs. ADT

ADT has been around in some form since 1874—yes, that’s closing in on 150 years—and has built up a large national network of monitoring centers and a good reputation, too. It also currently has a higher monthly monitoring charge than Vivint, requires a 36-month contract and rents you their equipment for a one-time fee of around $200.

In comparison, 20-year old Vivint is an industry newcomer that offers pick-and-choose, lease-to-purchase equipment—once it’s paid off, it’s yours. Vivint systems are also installed by Vivint employees, for service cohesion, whereas ADT relies on third parties for installation.

Check out our favorite security systems.

Article source here: Why Do People Love the Vivint Home Security System?

15 Things You Should Know Before Doing DIY Electrical Work

Use GFCI Outlets Whenever Possible

GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter and it helps to monitor the amount of power being used in one outlet. For example, if you’re using one outlet for a powerful appliance or device, this will help to prevent electrocution—especially for those that are near water sources. GFCI will cut the power any time a slight variation is detected. Here’s how to install GFCI outlets.

Article source here: 15 Things You Should Know Before Doing DIY Electrical Work

Home Inspector Nightmares You’ve Got to See

24 Simple Home Hacks to Save Money

Change Furnace Filter and Save up to $60 a Year

Keeping your furnace (gas or electric) tuned up has two big benefits: It makes the furnace run efficiently and it prolongs the furnace’s life span. And you can perform the annual tune-up yourself in about three hours (see Do It Yourself Furnace Maintenance Will Save A Repair Bill).Change the filter every month of the heating season (or year-round if the filter is also used for A/C). Be sure you insert the new one so it faces the right way. The filter protects the blower and its motor; a clogged filter makes the motor work harder and use more power.

Article source here: 24 Simple Home Hacks to Save Money

Get a Peek At What Home Trends Are for 2020

What are Home Trends for 2020?

When 2019 rolled around we started to see the introduction of more earthy tones, sustainable design elements along with ethnic and tribal patters but what’s going to start trending in 2020? Take a review of 2019 home trends before diving into what’s happening in home décor for 2020.

Article source here: Get a Peek At What Home Trends Are for 2020

14 Technology Hacks for Homeowners

Save Time With a DIY Self-Draining Dehumidifier

If you forget to empty the tank on your dehumidifier, it’ll either overflow or shut off. That defeats the whole purpose of running a dehumidifier in damp areas. I didn’t have a floor drain in that part of the basement, so I bought a condensate pump ($40 to $100 on Amazon) and tubing and rigged it to my dehumidifier. Then I ran the tubing up to the ceiling, through the joist areas and down to the laundry tub. Now the dehumidifier runs full time, and I never need to empty the tank or worry about it shutting off. — Doug Baltzer

Check out these 9 Affordable Ways to Dry Up Your Wet Basement For Good!

Article source here: 14 Technology Hacks for Homeowners

Home Inspector Nightmares: Vol. 1

Photo: Courtesy of Structure Tech

Follow the Arrows

It never hurts to double check the arrows when you install a new filter. Life’s easier if you go with the flow.

Article source here: Home Inspector Nightmares: Vol. 1

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Home Inspector Nightmares: Vol. 2

Photo: Courtesy of Structure Tech

Mail Slot?

Nope, this guy just doesn’t have all his bricks. He should probably learn how to tuckpoint.

Article source here: Home Inspector Nightmares: Vol. 2

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You Need This Giant Cow Lawn Ornament from Home Depot

Are you udderly crazy about Christmas? Then you’ll love Home Depot’s new line of outdoor holiday decor, featuring this glorious Christmas cow, plus sparkly, whimsical animals, classic movie icons and more.

Need some tips on how to get your Christmas decorating started? Look no further!

Bovine Christmas Beauty

Your home will definitely stand out from the herd with this girl in the yard. (Yes, it’s a girl … with the udder to prove it.) She has a durable metal frame wrapped in tinsel, a weather-resistant design designed to last season after season and is illuminated with 160 white energy-saving LED lights.

The sweet and sturdy heifer also dons a pretty red Christmas bow and stands at 34.5″ tall and 4.5 feet wide, for $99. Home Depot also has a 3-foot by 3.5-foot cow decked out in a handkerchief and Santa hat, for $69.98, if you’d prefer a smaller version, or want to give your big girl a little buddy. Amoozing, right?

Buy the 55″ cow now at Home Depot.

Buy the 36″ cow now at Home Depot.

These 60 DIY Christmas décor ideas are incredible.

Home Depot’s 2019 Christmas Cast of Characters

Home Depot can help you, um, milk the Christmas-creature theme for all it’s worth. Their Cheerful Creatures Collection will make your lawn look like a festive Christmas menagerie. Their LED-lit tinsel animals include a proud llama, the sweetest little sheep, a penguin pair decorating a tree, a regal lion, a ballerina hippo and a tutu-wearing pig. But the winner of this lot has to be the Bernese Mountain Dog. The look on his face is just too cute!

Shop the Cheerful Creatures Collection now at Home Depot.

Buy the Bernese Mountain Dog now at Home Depot.

These are the most outrageous Christmas light displays of all time.

Inflatable Screen Stars

Home Depot also has lots of great inflatables in their 2019 Christmas decor collection. You can celebrate your favorite Christmas movies with the 6 ft. inflatable Fuzzy Ralphie from A Christmas Story or the 8 ft. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation Station Wagon. There’s also the 11-foot tall Olaf from Frozen and the abominable snowman from old-school Rudolph. (That last decoration’s a favorite holdover from years’ past.)

Buy the Fuzzy Ralphie at Home Depot.

Buy the National Lampoons Christmas Vacation Station Wagon at Home Depot.

Buy Olaf at Home Depot.

Buy Bumble from Home Depot.

Here’s how to avoid Clark Griswold-sized disasters this Christmas.

Whether you go with cows, critters or movie icons, Home Depot’s new Christmas decor collection will help make sure that your house is the coolest on the block.

It all starts with making sure you have the very best Christmas tree lights. Check out our buyers guide here.

Article source here: You Need This Giant Cow Lawn Ornament from Home Depot