This Sunday is a big one for football fans: the Sunday to end all Sundays, The SuperBowl. New York Giants and New England Patriot fans alike will be out in full force all around the country, celebrating their team’s greatness, and hoping to rack up the ultimate “W”.

But…some of us aren’t exactly in the football loop. Or to be more precise, some of us have no earthly idea what is going on. Why are there so many players? Why is the ball so weird? Only one person ever uses his foot to kick the ball, so why is it called football? I’ll admit it; I’m one of these people. I grew up in a baseball family; I can tell you the difference between a four-seam fastball and a knuckle changeup, but tell me the quarterback dodged a blitz to throw a “Hail Mary” and my eyes glaze over. I have no frame of reference for any of it, and I know I’m not the only one out there.

So I started thinking about how I should probably know a little bit more about it (seeing as everyone and their grandma watch the SuperBowl) and this crazy idea popped into my head…the quarterback is sort of like a control panel in a security system. Hang in there, I know what your thinking, “This girl is crazy. Those things have nothing to do with each other!” And in full disclosure, I would never had thought about this if my parents hadn’t made me house-sit for them while their new alarm system was set up, but I swear, it actually makes sense. Before some of you cry foul, yes, I know, the quarterback is on the offensive line and has nothing to do with the defense, but hear me out. The quarterback is responsible for relaying the coach’s orders to everyone in the huddle and making sure the proper play is run to combat the other team. Well, that’s what the control panel does too. The homeowner (the coach) tells the control panel (the quarterback) to arm/disarm the system, turn the lights on/off, or move the security cameras. The control panel runs the “plays” just like a quarterback would on the field.

Then I began to really think about how football can compare to the other security features my parents got installed. The defensive tackle and defensive end are similar to door and window contacts. They’re both responsible for containing the other team, making sure no one gets past them. Contacts do the same thing for your house. They provide coverage to any door or window they’re placed on, preventing intruders from entering your home. What about the defensive backs? They’re like the motion detectors of a security system. As the last line of defense in football, cornerbacks and safeties stop the other team if they get through the defensive line, providing wide coverage of the field. If someone breaks through the “first line” of defense of your home (the contacts), motion sensors alert you and the authorities immediately to any unwanted movement.

No matter whom you end up cheering for this weekend (if you end up cheering for anyone at all), remember to stay safe and have fun!

Photo by Daniel X. O’Neil via Flickr

Moving to a new neighborhood is hard, especially if you’re even a tiny bit shy. Everyone on the block already knows each other (or at least that’s what we always think) so breaking into a new group of people can seem especially daunting. Whether it’s house-sitting while you’re on vacation, setting up a neighborhood watch for extra security, or just having an extra pair of hands when your desperately need one, getting to know your neighbors has a million different advantages. Here are some tips to help you break the ice with your new neighbors:

Say “Hello” This is the easiest way to get to know your neighbors. Whenever you’re out and about, greet others and keep introducing yourself until you know they remember you.  If you want them to remember your name, remember theirs, it shows you’re interested in getting to know them.

Organize a party or cookout or (insert your get together of choice).  A housewarming party is a great way to get free stuff for your house and get to know the neighbors in the process. Or maybe you’re more of a BBQ family. Pick up some brats and burgers, invite your friends and and the rest of the neighborhood and give them a chance to get to know you.

Exercise outside.  Jog in the morning, walk in the afternoon. Many of your neighbors will be getting their workout on just like you. Do your thing but also take a break and chat with those you see. Not only will you become familiar with the area, but it’s also a great way to connect with those just about to leave or just getting home.

Bring goodies to your neighbors. When I was seven, I met my best friend by bringing her family some brownies. By sharing a “secret” family recipe, you could make a friend for life like I did.

Sit outside or work in your yard. Simple chores like raking some leaves and gardening or sitting out on the porch, are great places for neighbors to see you; it leads to a casual introduction.

Arrange activities. If you have children, organize a kids’ play date with the neighbors. Your kids get to know others their own age…and so do you.

Lend a helping hand. This is easy way to get to know the people around you and is usually welcome. If you see them struggling with the trash or groceries, offer to help. People will appreciate your kindness and return it with ease. On that same note, ask your neighbors for help or referrals to contractors. This networking will help you with your project and in turn let you know who will help out when you’re in a bind.

Moving to a new place is always tough. But by getting know those around you, you can remove some of the stress and make life-long friends. Don’t limit yourself to just these hints, there are so many ways to break the ice and become part of the community. Have fun and good luck!

Photo by Denise Cheng via Flickr

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is often known as the “silent killer” and according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, there are upwards of over 2,000 unintentional CO poisoning deaths per year in US. CO takes the top spot as the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the nation. In addition to the fatalities, over 10,000 carbon monoxide injuries occur annually. But thankfully, this is a completely preventable outcome.

Carbon monoxide can be produced with any burning fuel. That means gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood, and coal. It’s an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that if inhaled at dangerous levels can lead to brain damage, breathing difficulties, impaired judgment, heart problems, and death.

To understand when you’re at risk, you need to know some common causes of CO poisoning. They include: furnaces, attached garages letting in auto exhaust, improperly vented fireplaces or chimneys, water heaters, indoor grilling, clothes dryers, portable heaters, and basically any gas powered appliance that is broken or installed incorrectly.

Unfortunately, the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are often confused with those of the flu or food poisoning, leading to deaths that could have be avoided. But if you even partially suspect CO poisoning, go to the emergency room as soon as you can. Headache, nausea, breathlessness, dizziness, as well as loss of consciousness are all symptoms of CO poisoning, so if you or a family member experience any of these, again, call 911 immediately.

Now that you know what CO poisoning is and what the signs are, how do you  prevent it from ever happening? Here are a few safety tips and methods of protection:

Install CO alarms. In the state of California, it’s now mandatory that all homes have CO detectors, but your house might not have one. Getting them installed is as simple as getting smoke detectors and will alert you to the invisible gas. Just remember, a smoke detector and a CO detector are not interchangeable, one device will not do the same job as two.

Never keep a car running in a closed garage.

Crack a window whenever you use kerosene or gas heaters.

Always make sure fireplaces and grills are properly ventilated.

Never use a gas oven to heat your home.

Get your heating systems tested annually for possible malfunctions or CO leaks.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is 100% preventable. With a little knowledge, you will protect yourself and the ones you love from harm.

Photo Courtesy of Shay Sowden Via Flickr

Let’s recap our Top 5 Mistakes New Home buyers make when searching for the house of their dreams: Ignoring the property inspection and getting stuck with a poor property, paying too much for a broker’s commission instead of negotiating a fee, poor budgeting skills (like not knowing how much you can afford to spend ), buying a home in a bad location, and finally assuming foreclosed homes are always great deals. Today, we finish out our Top 10 Mistakes New Home Buyers Make and these ones might surprise you…

Falling In Love With a Home: Never let your dream house cloud your better judgment. Even if you find the house you always dreamed of as a kid, that’s not a justifiable reason to go over your budget or sacrifice amenities you were looking for. Don’t fall in love with a house unless you’re really prepared to go through with the purchase.

Too Small of a Down Payment: If you put more money down now, the less you pay later, right? While the idea is straightforward, for the potential homebuyer the stakes of taking that advice are much higher. Home are expensive. Failing to put down enough money at the beginning could cost you an arm and a leg in interest charges. Putting yourself in the best financial situation is extremely important when purchasing a home.

Not Knowing Your Credit Report: Knowing what your credit report says before heading to the bank will save you a lot of heartache and hassle. Negative items on your report could cause hang-ups in the loan application process or even prevent you from getting one altogether.

Not Protecting Yourself Contractually: No matter how much you plan, sometimes things just don’t work out. Your financing could fall through or the seller could back out at the last minute. If you haven’t considered these possibilities then you could have a huge problem on your hands. It may seem expensive, but consulting a lawyer is your best option in preventing you from getting stuck in a bad situation.

Not Doing Enough Research: Research is crucial in buying a home. Knowing the dependability of your agent, the neighborhood, the cost of the home, and the fine print of your mortgage are only a few of things you must look into if you want to steer clear of getting ripped off. Do yourself a favor and devote as much time and energy as possible to researching every element of buying a house.

Buying a new home is scary and wonderful. Hopefully, with these few tips you’ll be better prepared to face whatever the real estate market throws at you. Happy house hunting!

Photo courtesy of Alan Cleaver via Flickr 

Buying a home is the foundation of the American dream, but that dream can turn into a nightmare if you don’t know what to expect or what you’re getting into. For many first time homebuyers, the task can seem daunting. The process of finding a home and then deciding to buy it is complicated and demands more patience than most of us have. But with a bit of timing and a dash of luck, you can find the home of your dreams. Before you sign anything, be sure you haven’t made one of the top 10 mistakes first time homebuyers make.

Ignoring the Property Inspection: One of the most critical times during the home buying process is the property inspection. It’s also on of the most ignored steps in purchasing a house. Inspection results can put your mind at ease, give you leverage in negotiations, or tell you to walk away swiftly and don’t look back. When you ignore or skip the inspection, you could be missing problems with your new home that could cost you big bucks in the future. Prospective homebuyers should hire their own independent inspector and pore over the results in order to protect from a potential hazard.

Paying Too Much for the Broker’s Commission: While the broker is an important piece in the home buying game, many people don’t realize you can negotiate their commission rate. Before you get taken to the cleaners, try negotiating a lower rate. In these uncertain economic times, many brokers will give you a deal and work with you. This is a great way to save you tons of money and time.

Poor Budgeting: Budgeting is one of the, if not the most, important factors of home buying. If you don’t know how much you can afford to pay each month, you shouldn’t even be thinking about buying a home. When determining your budget, you should think about long-term costs and include as many incidentals as possible. Factor in property taxes and closing costs, both of which are crucial to understanding how much you can afford to spend. The keys to proper budgeting? Planning, an idea of the future, and a methodical attention to detail.

Bad Location: Housing in a bad location can have distressing consequences. High crime rates or an unsafe neighborhood can make you feel like a hostage in your home, an awful commute can begin to take a toll on how much you enjoy your home, and declining property values can regret ever purchasing a house to begin with. The old saying goes, when buying a new home you should look at three things: location, location, location. You may have found the house of your dreams, but if it’s in a bad location, you should probably keep looking.

Assuming Foreclosures are Great Deals: Just because you saw an ad on TV advertising homes for a dollar doesn’t mean you’ve won the housing lottery. The fact of the matter is most foreclosures are the results of irresponsible owners who didn’t take care of the house. Foreclosures usually require intense repairs and come with hidden issues that can make them a real money pit. While some foreclosures truly are a bargain, they are far and few between. Traditional home purchases are your best bet.

Come back tomorrow to find out the remaining 5 mistakes new home owners often make.

Photo attributed to: Images of Money via Flickr

The fastest growing crime sector in the US is cybercrime. Identity theft, fraud, hacking, spam, harassment, the list goes on and on for what defines a cybercrime. Cyber criminals spread viruses to your computer that wipe out every single file and infiltrate your most sensitive information, all in order to gather your account codes, credit card numbers, passwords, Social Security Number, and other personal info to steal your identity. While the rate of Identity Theft decreased for the first time in years in 2010, you shouldn’t let your guard down when surfing the web. Here are some simple online usage tips to help keep your information safe:

Only download software from sites you trust. Never download software from a pop-up ad unless you’re absolutely sure it’s not a scam. Very similarly, don’t reply to email messages from people or companies you’ve never heard of before. Your mom’s advice to not talk to strangers applies to the Internet as well. If they’re asking for your personal info, then yes, it’s a scam.

Avoid questionable websites, such as file sharing sites or adult content websites. Spyware and viruses can easily be attached to files or videos.

Use antivirus protection. Installing firewalls, antispyware software, and a basic computer security software (that updates regularly) will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

Use complex passwords for every single account, including shopping accounts, social networking sites, and bank accounts. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Chester may be a good name for your dog but it’s not a very good password if you want to stay safe. Common password mistakes include using birthdays, your mother’s maiden name, pet’s names, and the last four digits of your social security number. A strong password contains a mix of letters (at least one being capitalized), numbers, and special characters (like, “!” “@” “$” “?”). For your most important accounts, make the most unique password as possible, one that varies from your others.

In today’s world, we can access anything with a click of a mouse. This includes the information you want kept safest. By following these tips, you can help make sure your virtual activities don’t harm your reality.

I’ll admit it; I’m a weather nerd. On more than one occasion I have stayed up way too late to watch a storm coming in. Yes, I get a thrill when I hear that cumulonimbus clouds are heading my way. And yes, I’ve recorded a Weather Channel special once or twice (six times if I’m being honest), but even so, I don’t always have the time to check the local news before I’m off to work. Luckily, whoever created the Smart⁺ Home Automation control panel was a weather nerd just like me.

Every morning I get up and instead of turning on the TV or flipping open my laptop, I grab my cup of hot chocolate and go check the real-time weather alerts that get sent directly to my control panel. It even sends out severe weather alerts, so right away I know if I need to pack my rain boots for the day or if the area I drive through is flooded.

Let me tell you a story. When I was a freshman in college, I used to roll out of bed at the last possible minute, throw on the nearest clothes, and run out the door. Not once did I think about what the weather was going to be like that day. Big. Mistake. In February of that year, we got a record amount of rain. Without fail, on the days it rained I never had an umbrella. Ever.  I spent the majority of that month looking like a drowned rat.

Fortunately, I’ve learned better and thanks to my weather app I’m always prepared.  So make friends with your control panel and get the most convenient weather updates sent straight to your house!

Our country is getting older. According to the Administration on Aging, one in eight American’s are over the age of 65, or about 40 million people. By 2030, that number is expected to spike to 72 million. As more and more baby boomers reach their golden years, it’s important that they take the proper security and safety precautions. Here are some easy to follow tips to ensure your elder relatives are safe:

Install Security Lighting – A simple light gives the appearance of an occupied home, keeping unwanted visitors off your property. Lights are also a great way to protect against vandalism and theft.

Get a Security System— A good home security system is the foundation of any home safety plan. A home without a security system is three times as likely to be broken-in to, so installing one is a must. Many new security systems come with emergency panic buttons directly on the control panel, making it easier for you to get help during a fire or medical emergency.

Keep doors locked –Most burglars enter through an unlocked door instead of breaking a window, so get in the habit of locking your doors even when your home. Also, make sure that friends and family have keys to your home in case they need to check in on you.

Clear stairs, pathways, and hallways – Making sure these areas are clear of clutter that could trip you or prevent emergency services from getting to you is simple way to keep you safe.

Watch out for Internet scams – Today, it’s important for seniors to protect themselves from hackers and scammers. Don’t reply to emails from unfamiliar addresses; especially don’t give them personal information. Make sure to use different computer passwords so it’s not easy to steal all of your information. Shop at reliable websites, avoiding ones that look like scams.

Check strangers IDs – When someone comes to your door selling something, make sure to check their ID. Many times, scams will involve charities or home inspections, so make sure the salesmen is associated with a trustworthy company.

Get a fire extinguisher – You never know when a fire will start in your home. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen or the garage in a place where it can be reached easily. Along those same lines, make sure you have fire detectors and that they’re working correctly.

Never carry lots of money in public – Carrying lots of money in public can make you an easy target for theft. Keep your money in the bank and use a debit or credit card instead. It saves room in your wallet and is quicker at the register.

Have people visit and call you often – It’s important that you stay connected to the ones you love as you grow older. Having regular visits from friends and family helps ensure that there aren’t any emergencies. Try to have someone call you every day to check in or just chat.

Get a personal emergency response system – Worn as a necklace, wristband or belt clip, these types of systems make it extremely easy to get in contact with first responders in any sort of emergency. Not only are they easy to use but they are also affordable.

As our population ages, we need to make sure we stay safe from security threats. By following these simple tips, you can make sure you or your loved one is protected.

Picking the wrong alarm monitoring company can be expensive and more importantly, it can endanger the security of your family and property. But how do you know which alarm monitoring company is right for you when there are so many out there? Here are some basic factors to determine your needs.

Inspection: Any alarm monitoring company will be sure to do an on-site inspection, but before they do, you familiarize yourself with your security needs. Before even starting to research alarm monitoring companies, you need to decide what your security requirements are. Decide which areas are vulnerable and which you would like to focus on.

Switches: A switch is a wireless device that alerts you when people go in and out of your house. The biggest determining factor on the amount of switches you will need is how large your home is. How many doors and windows would you like to be protected? Covering all doors and windows would be ideal, but that can cost you a ton. At least make sure that the doors on the ground floor have switches.

Control Panel: The control panel manages your alarm system and alerts the alarm monitoring company when you need help. Having easy access to the control panel is crucial, so place it in a familiar location. Most control panels are installed near the most used door. Additional keypads can be installed throughout the house, so that no matter what, you stay protected. The most important factor for your control panel is that it’s easy to reach and that everyone in the house knows how to use it.

Specific Needs: The daily habits of your family, what you do at night, as well as the average time you spend away from your home should factor in when searching for an alarm monitoring company. This will help you decide which kind of alarm will match your routine best.

When deciding on a new alarm monitoring company, you need to make sure you know what you want and how a new alarm system will help. Never settle for the first company you contact even if they make you a great deal. And most importantly, always make sure that the alarm system you’re getting is the one that will protect your loved ones the best.

Recently, my parent’s home was vandalized. Their mailbox was lit on fire and completely destroyed. According to the fire commissioner, we may never know if it was a prank gone wrong or some crazy neighborhood initiation. But whatever the reason, my parents are now afraid the house might be next. My mother, normally a sensible woman, has changed into a paranoid basket case. She has started going after every shadow or misshapen shrub with a hockey stick. My father, stable in his own way, has taken up patrols around the house.

After urging by the police, my parents decided to upgrade their security system from one involving sporting equipment to one that includes security cameras and motion detection sensors. After calling around to several alarm companies, they decided on Smith, and no, not just because their daughter works for them. The Smith team responded quickly, gave them a great deal, and even came out the very next to start installing the new security system. Now, my parents aren’t the most technologically inclined…at all… so I was slightly worried that an upgrade in systems might be too much for them. But the Smith Smart⁺ Home Automation system is so intuitive, that my parents have no problem navigating through the modules and apps.

My dad loves that the system is completely wireless and makes him appear tech savvy. My mom loves watching the security feed from her laptop hoping to catch the “mailbox hooligans”. I love that I can sleep at night knowing the defenseless shrubbery is safe from a slow and painful death by hockey stick.

A home with a monitoring system is three times LESS likely to be broken-in to than a home without a security system. Knowing that my parents have installed a security system gives me the peace of mind that they’ll be safe no matter what.