Diane Murdock

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Five Easy Steps To Clean an Air Purifier

Air purifiers are easy to install in various locations throughout your house and function by preserving the quality of the air within and inhibiting the formation of mold. Here's a detailed instruction on how to clean your device correctly:

1.Change the filter. These filters have the potential to clog with time, which would lessen the air purifier's efficiency. Therefore, it's crucial to clean and/or replace the filters in your device in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in addition to doing routine maintenance. Pre-filters, HEPA filters, and activated carbon filters are just a few of the filter types available for different models.

2. Keep the airflow and quality constant. To do this, position the device so that there is enough room around it. Avoid putting anything on top of or directly in front of the device as this can obstruct airflow and decrease its efficacy. Watch the quality of the air in your house and change your air purifier's settings as necessary.

3. Create a consistent schedule for cleaning. To gain access to internal components, you may need to disassemble the unit; consult the manufacturer's instructions for advice. For optimal performance, it is recommended to clean your air purifier once a month or every two months.

4. Cleaning of the exterior. Stay away from abrasive items and harsh chemicals as they can harm the surface of the unit. Take note of vents and grilles since they have the potential to gather dust and debris over time.  Take care not to apply too much pressure as this could harm the inside, sensitive filters. By doing this, it may be possible to stop these particles from entering the device and clogging the filters.

5. Look for mildew and mold. An HVAC specialist advises routinely checking your air purifier for the formation of mold or mildew. To stop mold from growing in the future, you might also want to use a dehumidifier in the same room as your air purifier. It also important to check your cove security system devices for batteries and functionality.

In addition to extending the units' lifespan, proper maintenance makes sure they run well and remove allergens and mold spores before they can do any damage.

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How to Perfectly Stage Rentals: 5 Useful Tips

There are typically alternatives for renting staging furniture, but if you've chosen to DIY stage your rental, the advice provided below will help you do so affordably and with eye-catching accessories.

Keep your rooms tidy & use neutral color. When preparing rental properties, use neutral colors and sparse furnishings to show potential for the area to tenants without overcluttering it. To make a lasting impression on your future renter, make the house spotless from top to bottom.

Make sure you have fresh paint. Light shades work best as neutral wall colors since they make a rental space appear larger. Due to its simplicity, brightness, and clean appearance, white is the most popular color for rentals. You could want to give tenants the option to repaint if they so wish if you do have an accent wall.

Use diffusers and flowers to a cozy atmosphere. Making any potential tenants feel at ease and cozy is simple by using aromas like vanilla. Flowers are another simple & inexpensive method to give the vacant space a sense of home. To draw the tenant's attention and brighten the space, put them in the kitchen or eating area. The next time you need to fill an empty container, synthetic flowers are even more affordable and reusable!

Keep it simple. In terms of staging rentals, less is more. You want to leave the tenant with enough room to imagine their own furniture, decorations, and belongings in the space while still providing enough furniture or decorations to call their attention to the homeliness and possibilities of the rental.

Enhance the listing photos. If the listing photographs don't display your property in the best possible light, you can't do that! The tenant's eye can be drawn into the listing images by adding a few focal pieces of furniture, new paint and flowers, and photographing the property while sunlight is streaming through the windows.

Staging rentals can assist potential tenants get a true sense of the place, which can help you persuade them that your rental property with cove is their future home. There is a simple, straightforward way to acquire inspiration from others if you're still unsure on how to arrange rentals.

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How to Get the Right Exposure in a Camera and Why It Matters?

Due to the instantaneous image display and lack of waiting for film to be developed, digital cameras were an amazing invention that made it possible for many people to take up photography as a pastime and master the craft much more quickly. Along with the development of digital cameras came the creation of equally amazing photo editing programs like Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, which let you edit and improve your digital photos.

Describe Exposure The overall brightness or darkness of your photograph is referred to as exposure. When a photograph is taken, the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed are what determine it.

Overexposing when the camera has captured an excessively bright image, washing out the background and/or the subject. Yikes! She's very intelligent, isn't she? In fact, we would see that portion of her skin has been "clipped" or "blown out" because the exposure is simply too bright if we examined it in a program like PSE or Lightroom. I'll explain why that clipping is significant below.

Underexposing When the shutter has closed too quickly, not allowing in the proper amount of light to properly expose the subject. Okay, someone turned off the lights, or it seems that way, doesn’t it? This is obviously under exposed. See how hard it is to see her eyes? Mentally I want to turn on a light switch so that I can see her better. The overall darkness of the image causes other problems down the road, when post processing. So, try hard to avoid underexposing your images.

Optimal Exposure when the shutter is left open for just long enough for the subject to be properly lit.We are now moving forward. The second picture is considerably more aesthetically pleasant. Her complexion has a wonderful shade of brightness without being overly bright, and we can see her eyes. This picture is excellent right out of the camera and may be printed or used online without any processing.A proper exposure was achieved when the three components of the Exposure Triangle—ISO, aperture, and shutter speed—were well-balanced.

Cove Smart - Small But Powerful Our doorbell camera may look minimal, but it’s strong, with a weatherproof design that stands up to rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. Plus, it’s tamper-resistant to prevent intruders from stealing your camera.

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WHAT DO HOME DESIGNERS COST?

When it comes to designing your home, it's simple to get overwhelmed. When overseeing a housing project, even the most seasoned interior designers may feel under pressure. 

As a result, working with an interior designer might be a fantastic method to realize your dreams.

Price of Hiring an Interior Designer 

Home Guide estimates that the average cost of an interior designer is $5,406. The average homeowner spends between $1,893 and $11,180. The typical hourly rate is between $50 and $200, or $5 and $12 per square foot.

It's well known that interior designer fees are not inexpensive. Most designers usually base the cost of their services on the following. A flat price, hourly rates, and even the overall cost are determined by the project's scope.

Flat Rate 

Some businesses, particularly bigger ones, may impose a flat fee for a project. The most frequent flat rate, which is determined by the kind of space and its total square footage, is per room. 

If you buy furnishings as well, the average room will cost between $2,000 and $12,000, but you should budget between $450 and $1,500 for the design work.

Contingent Fees

The most typical practice is to bill designers by the hour. These fees for interior designers are typical for smaller companies or freelance designers. Particularly vulnerable to this are smaller projects. The designer's time and expenses, including travel, site inspections, and correspondence, will be factored into the final price.

The hourly rate for an interior designer ranges in price from $50 to $200 on average. Junior designers charge as little as $50 per hour, depending on their years of expertise.

Ft/square Feet

A designer will have this much space to work with every square foot. Expect to pay between $5 and $17 per square foot. With a fee based on square footage, the designer is free to accept jobs of any size. Keep an eye on the interior design costs because they could get expensive depending on the available space. 

Engaging a Designer of Interiors

There are several benefits to hiring an interior designer if your budget allows for it. Professional interior designers are aware of the ideal paint shades to pick for a cozy ambiance. They also know how to effectively assist you in bringing your ideal home to life.

Cove - You don't think about how much you rely on your plumbing until something goes wrong. Our flood sensor monitors moisture levels and temperature to detect water leaks before they become floods.

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5 Tips for Indoor Succulent Growing

Succulents can be grown indoors, which is a wonderful way to bring the beauty of nature inside. Succulents are simple to maintain, and the majority can grow in indirect light, so they'll be good on a windowsill or close to a bright lamp. This article will go through seven suggestions for growing succulents indoors.

1. Locate a planter with holes for drainage.

Look for a plant container with drainage holes at the bottom when choosing one for the plant. Additionally, you'll want to make sure your potting mix drains properly because the plant will need a soil that is both well-draining and not overly damp.

2. Put your succulents close to a window.

For succulents, lighting is crucial because they don’t produce their light. Place your plant near a window where it will receive natural light. If your house has no windows, or the spot that you want to place your succulent is not near one, then consider using the best grow lights in the market. These are artificial lights and can be found at just about any garden store. Some people use these indoors because they provide all of the necessary lightings for plants without worrying about over-exposing them too much (especially if you live in an apartment).

3. Plant Succulents in the Ground Up

Succulents should be planted from the bottom up, not upside down or sideways, to promote strong root development. Succulents need many of air holes for adequate drainage, therefore planting them too deeply might also make them rot because their roots can't breathe. Planting succulents shallowly will allow the majority of their leaves to remain above ground.

4. Water your Plants

It's crucial to water succulents regularly to keep them healthy. Succulent plants require regular watering, roughly every three days, but before you water your plants again, check the soil to make sure it isn't too wet. Place stones for more drainage at the bottom of each pot to aid in the soil's ability to retain moisture.

5. Keep it at or near 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

To ensure that the succulents are not subjected to extremely cold or hot temperatures, the temperature should always be watched.  Having an automated heater on standby that you can manually turn on if the temperature gets above 80 degrees is the best approach to maintain this temperature at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure your home or apartment has some vents where air can move freely; otherwise, the interior may become overly humid.

Indoor Camera With Cove indoor camera, you can check on pets and kids at any time and even talk with your household while you're away. Plug it in wherever you have a good view of the kitchen, living room, or any other place you want to keep an eye on.

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5 Tips for Effective Home Business Management

Many company owners operate out of their homes. Without required meetings, a defined schedule, or coworkers, this may seem like the ideal working environment, but if you lack personal discipline, you might not accomplish too lot. While having a terrific commute when you work from home, there are drawbacks that you may not have thought about. To make working from home work for you, you may even need to change certain undesirable behaviors.

Here are five suggestions for managing a profitable home-based business.

1. Dress for Success

Although working from home in your jammies all day seems enticing, how does it affect your output? You still need to take a shower and put on clothes even if you work from home. Nobody is suggesting that you put on your nicest suit, but getting ready in the morning will help you focus on the task at hand. It will help you get through the rest of the day.

2. Establish a Schedule

Working from home has certain benefits, one of which is not having to adhere to someone else's schedule. You can really create your own hours, which can be a terrific thing. Flexibility is excellent, but you still need a defined schedule to run your business effectively.

3. Self-control

The ability to maintain discipline is crucial while operating a home business. Nobody is stopping you from taking a two-hour lunch break, so do it! However, you must continue to be committed to and focused on your everyday tasks. Making slacking off a habit is the last thing you want to do. The end of the month will reveal your lack of output and sales.

4. Make Use of Technology

You require the same facilities at an office if you plan to operate a business from your home. A dependable all-in-one copier, printer, fax machine, high speed internet access, a landline phone, and a computer are required. Additionally, you want to purchase a smart phone so that you calls and emails on the fly. You need to be prepared to communicate however a client or customer wants to.

5. Establish a Workspace

In principle, working from your sofa all day makes sense, but it makes no sense to strive to be extremely productive in a place where you'd ordinarily want to unwind. Create an area where you can work and adopt a "work" attitude while you're there. It would be ideal if the workspace had a door.

Fast, Accurate Emergency Response Instead of only verbally relaying and manually inputting all critical information from the monitoring center to 911, Cove Security can send data directly to 911 centers using RapidSOS.

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5 Most Vital Apartment Hunting Advice

Moving can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, whether it's your first apartment or what seems like the hundredth time. Depending on the situation of the housing market in your city, you could feel pressured to submit an application for the first acceptable apartment you come across, lest you end up having to settle for a less-than-ideal place.

If you want to locate a fantastic apartment, it's critical to do a careful search to ensure you find the ideal apartment for your needs.

1. Decide on a budget

Finding an apartment might be difficult. Finding the proper apartment can be difficult, whether you choose a fully furnished or an empty place. Obviously, you desire to find a unit that checks all your boxes. But if a basic search doesn’t yield anything promising, you might be tempted to up your price range a little higher, and then a little higher.

2. List the things that are not negotiable. Make a list of the things you must have in an apartment after you are aware of your spending limit. Remember that there are many different kinds of apartments available, and that narrowing down your search will be much easier.

3. Think about the neighborhood The saying "location, location, location" is well-known in the real estate industry. If you locate the ideal apartment but have a two-hour drive to work, is it really worth it? Make the neighborhood one of your non-negotiables while establishing your list of requirements.

4. Establish a spreadsheet. Staying organized is our final piece of apartment seeking advice. When you have a list of things that are non-negotiable, you may begin apartment hunting hunting. As you start to sort through real-estate listings, it can be tempting to keep a zillion tabs open. But what if your computer crashes? Create a spreadsheet so you can access your options on-demand.

5. Create a list of inquiries. Some flats will immediately give you a terrible vibe as you glance at them. Others might appear fantastic at first glance, but it's crucial that you enquire about all the specifics of the apartment and lease from the landlord or apartment management. Once you have all the pertinent data, you can compare it to the other units on your spreadsheet to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each listing.

Get to know our doorbell camera. Video doorbells are discreet mini security cameras that allow you to monitor your front porch in real time. Day and night, these compact devices pick up audio via speaker and microphone while capturing and recording HD video footage, which you can review in the Cove app.

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5 Indicators of Truly Awful Leaders

People lament having to deal with micromanagers, being overworked, or having unreasonable demands. However, even competent managers frequently need to micromanage others' work, assign a ton of extra work, and have very high expectations. Additionally, there are perfectly valid explanations for why good managers might not be able to meet all of the standards set by their own leaders.

#1 There are too many people departing There is probably a truly awful leader in charge if there is frequent or widespread defection from a team. People leaving for what looks to be a similar job at a similar organizational level, taking a wage cut, or giving up some organizational rank are other telltale signs. If it looks like people are taking a step down or backwards in their careers, they’re probably trying to get away from a bad boss.

#2 Watch out for managers that criticize their staff. By attacking others, poor leaders attempt to look better. Naturally, they are presumably aware that it is never a good idea to criticize your colleagues or your own bosses, but bad leaders often moan about their teams. They discuss how they must intervene and resolve every problem that their team overlooked or failed to comprehend. They don't want to put their subordinates in the spotlight.

#3 Poor leaders are paranoid and too political Often, bad leaders are insecure. Many are concerned that they may lose their current job as well because they haven't been able to maintain employment for more than a few years. Of course, they lack the necessary self-awareness to recognize how they are to blame for their own.

#4 Too silent in team meetings Trust is swiftly destroyed by bad leaders. Meetings will be abnormally silent since no one feels comfortable offering comments or questioning the direction or viewpoint of the leader. Meetings frequently consist of the leader's downloads only. If the boss has any queries, the answers will be tailored to suit his or her needs.

#5 Poor leaders are bypassed by their team Team members frequently understand that it's best to keep the nasty boss in the dark if they want to accomplish anything. Informing or involving their supervisor is likely to result in either nothing getting done, it getting done incorrectly, or their boss using the situation to further their own paranoid political agenda at the expense of producing quality work.

The perfect outdoor camera for your home. Stay up to date on things with our high-resolution outdoor camera. With cloud storage and a memory card backup, you can watch footage live or save it for later, all through the Cove app.

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3 Guidelines for Safe and Easy Holiday Air Travel

As holiday visitors take to the flights to rejoice with their loved ones after being stranded for so long, there is excitement in the air this season. It could be challenging to stay on top of all of the most recent adjustments and travel limitations brought about by the COVID-19 epidemic.

In this blog, we provide the most recent recommendations, significant data, and practical advice to make your travel experience seamless. We've also included crucial packing advice for any overpackers out there, so you and your carry-ons won't get flagged at TSA. You should be aware of the following.

1. Staying Secure When Flying If you're traveling for the first time since the pandemic started, you should be mindful of how things now seem and function differently. In order to help you plan your trip effectively and safely, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have updated their travel recommendations for both domestic and foreign travel. The following are some essential details to be aware of in order to safeguard oneself from COVID-19 while traveling:

Get vaccinated—It is strongly advised that you get the vaccine if you are eligible. The CDC advises using a mask indoors in public spaces in regions with significant or high transmission if you are not fully immunized and keeping your distance.

2. Be ready. Travel during the holidays is notoriously busy, which is made more worse by the pandemic. The best thing you can do to ensure a good trip, according to airline experts, is to be prepared. Here are some excellent advice and recommendations to consider before traveling:

Downloading the airline's app will provide you instant access to everything you need and keep you updated on any last-minute changes. You'll be glad you took the time to complete this quick step since it will allow you to access your boarding card and receive information about the status of your trip. Book early—best It's to book your flight early because millions of people are expected to travel this holiday season. 

3. Packing Advice If you intend to pack gifts, there are certain crucial details you should be aware of regarding what should go in your carry-on and where in your luggage. For their loved ones during this time of year, some eager travelers prepare handmade treats like cakes, pies, jams, and even gravy! Here are some suggestions to help you pack correctly so you can pass through the TSA queue smoothly and without mishaps.

You can probably pack baked items like cakes, pies, breads, and other goodies in your carry-on bag. But if your bag is still tagged for them, don't be shocked. TSA officers must perform their duties and may request that you open your suitcase to make sure that what you’re bringing is safe. As always, liquids are a big “don’t” unless they are the approved 3.4-ounce size. The exception to this rule is that now the CDC allows travelers to pack one 12-ounce bottle of sanitizer in their carry-on bags.

Secure end to end. We believe security and privacy go hand in hand. With that in mind, we designed our outdoor camera to meet the highest US and European data privacy standards. No one else can access your data without your logins, making your videos completely secure.

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5 Guidelines for Winter Pet Safety and Health

Snowball battles, fireside discussions, Christmas festivities, and other activities are all fun and enjoyable during the colder months of the year, but they can also be unsettling or even dangerous for our dogs. Here is a list of crucial tips for pet owners over the winter, covering anything from cold weather medications to party food:

1. Watch out for antifreeze Sadly, antifreeze can leak from a car's radiator and land on the ground, where animals may try to lick it. Less than three ounces of antifreeze can poison a medium-sized dog and is fatal to animals. Store antifreeze in a tightly-closed container out of reach of dogs and don't let animals roam unaccompanied in areas where there is access to antifreeze.

2. Protect Yourself from the Weather

Pet owners should take extra precautions as the weather grows cooler to make sure their animals keep warm and healthy. Start by bathing your pet as little as possible because it can promote dry, flaking skin by removing natural oils. Purchase a coat for your dog, particularly if it has short hair. No animal should ever be left outside for an extended period.

Cove Smart - 24/7 professional monitoring Our monitoring system is more reliable than a Wi-Fi or landline system. Your panel connects wirelessly to our 4G cellular network, and it’s monitored by our team of professional agents at 6 monitoring stations nationwide.

3. Tree ornaments may contain toxins

Bright, exciting objects captivate our pets, which might lead to mishaps. Here are some suggestions for keeping your pets and decorations safe (especially for cats that like to climb). Your most precious glass ornaments should be placed high on the tree and fastened securely. Don't use tinsel! Despite being attractive, eating a few strands can make your pet ill, and have deadly effects such as intestinal obstruction. The same goes for edible ornaments, mistletoe, and liquid potpourri.

4. Keep salt off roads Industrial salt, which is used to melt snow, is safe for cars but dangerous for dogs. These salts contain additional compounds that dry up, crack, and occasionally burn a dog's paws, irritating the skin. Some dogs may unintentionally absorb potentially hazardous substances when they lick the salt off their paws.

5. Holiday Food Can Illness Pets Even though we want our pets to celebrate the holidays with us, sometimes our good intentions backfire. Don't offer your pets too many treats, and don't let them consume any table food. The chocolate, raisins, grapes, and alcohol included in Christmas desserts are poisonous to animals. Additionally, some bones have the potential to penetrate intestines and splinter when a dog chews on them.

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5 Steps on How to Be the Father Your Children

Do you recall the time you found out you were going to become a parent? I do. Jill, my wife, and I had just recently begun our marriage when she came to me beaming with unbridled excitement. She cried, "I'm pregnant!" We all rejoiced as tears flowed down the face of this strong old football player—he wasn't that old back then. My initial thought was joy, but my second was worrying how to be a decent dad.

I considered my biological father, Ed Tandy, who was killed in a Navy fighter jet crash a month before I was born despite having heard the same words from my mother. He shared the good news with my mother.

1. Encourage your children with your words Your comments to and about your kids have the power to either strengthen them or break them down. Consider everything you spoke to your girls and sons over the course of the previous week. How many words were illuminating or uplifting? How many of them began with, "Do you know what Dad loves about you?" How many of them were encouraging words?

2. Act as the role model you want your children to follow. The adage "values are caught, not taught" has you wondering. This indicates that kids learn morals more from what they observe us doing than from what we tell them. Your children are constantly observing you as a parent, and this is especially true.

3. Teach your children to spend time in prayer I gave him one of my Bibles and welcomed him into my office. While Edward was watching, I quietly began to read. More than any of my best sermons, I was teaching Edward about seeking the Lord at that precise moment. You may assist your grandchildren continue the legacy of embracing God's Word by teaching your children to do the same.

4. Act as the type of man you would want your daughter to wed. My daughters were the area where I most needed God's paternal guidance. I have two lovely daughters with Jill, and they utterly terrified me as a father. They are both just like their mother.

5. Become a Better Father Much like your relationship with your wife, you don’t want bitterness or resentment to develop between you and your children. Many times they won’t be open with you if there is lingering unforgiveness. (Did you have parents who apologized after they hurt you? Most men I meet never had a father who learned to ask for forgiveness.)

Faster Response and Fewer False Alarms Cove Smart exclusive TripleTouch Alarm Response means your emergency is confirmed with help on the way in 30 seconds.

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5 Ingenious Tips to Make the Most of Space in Every Room of Your House

There is a constant need for extra space in homes. We all want to maximize space to make our houses feel airy and warm, no matter how big your mountain estate mansion is or how modest your flat. Your home has 5 rooms where you spend the majority of your time, and there are 5 creative methods to make each one of them more spacious. Here are 5 recommendations to help if you've been wondering how to fit more in your crowded bathroom cupboards or how your bedroom may perhaps share a desk to establish a home office too.

1.) Widening your entryway: Your home's entrance, which greets guests and sends your family off to school each morning, should be practical and have enough space for people to move about swiftly and easily. Increase room by adding a bench or sitting area where children may quickly take off their shoes and put their backpacks before running off to school. Lack of room for a bench? Make sure you have open storage, wall-mounted hooks, and a big mirror on the wall to reflect the rest of your house.

2.) Make cooking in your kitchen simple: The kitchen is the busiest space in your house. Because preparing meals, snacks, and entertaining visitors must be practical, friendly, and pleasurable. Maximize  space with vertical storage shelving in your pantry, use drawer organizers for dry goods and food storage containers. Purge old food, half-eaten dry goods, and install overhead pot and pan storage to free up space below your counters.

3.)  Bathroom essentials: The room you wake up first to in the morning and see late at night often has the worst storage. Your bathroom can be maximized by assessing who uses the bathroom and for what. Shared bathrooms with kids can utilize open shelving and baskets under the sink and behind the door can house small electrical beauty appliances when not in use. A shoe organizer can turn into a life-saving space saver that holds makeup, combs & brushes, jewelry and even accessories such as scarves and belts.

4.)  Public rooms need space:  Have you ever realized your living room and family room get the messiest without even trying? These rooms get the most traffic from friends dropping over, family watching television and you sprawling out on the sofa to watch the game! Maximize space with multifunctional furniture such as ottomans that hold video game accessories and coffee tables that have drawers and open shelving below. You will love having hidden space when your busiest rooms are packed with people.

5.) Children don't merely sleep in their rooms: Regardless of your child's age, whether they are infants or teenagers, their rooms should be a representation of their fantasies while still being used for learning, entertainment, and fantasizing. Establish areas for relaxing, sleeping, and learning or quiet time. To make the most of available space, hang projects and artwork from art wire, bulletin boards, or other organizational tools to keep desks and other areas clutter-free.

Cove Smart exclusive TripleTouch Alarm Response means your emergency is confirmed with help on the way in 30 seconds.

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5 Ways to Prevent Crime in Your Neighborhood

Even when we didn't know who was at the door, we used to leave the porch lights on and answer the door when the doorbell rang. In the society we currently inhabit, we don't do that. However, there are numerous strategies to regain control and stop crime in your neighborhood. It only requires time, effort, and communication. nno

Here are 10 ideas to make your area a safer and better place to live today in honor of National Night Out, an annual community-building initiative held on the first Tuesday of August.

1. Cooperate with Neighborhood. or community-based organizations and local public agencies to find solutions to common issues.

2. Establish a Neighborhood Watch, together with the police or a community patrol. Ensure that your homes and streets are well-lit.

3.Inform The Police of any Criminal or Suspicious Conduct Right Away. For that, there is also a free app: McGruff Mobile, which is accessible through the Google Play or iTunes stores. It has a virtual neighborhood watch where you can share pictures and information about activities with neighbors, authorities, and even Homeland Security. The software is supported by AlertID, a nationwide web and mobile service. ( You can also view an interactive map of local crimes and sex offenders, and you can sign up to get email or text notifications for updates.

4. If you have a dog, Join your neighborhood Dog Walker Watch Criminal Awareness Program (supported by the National Association of Town Watch) and assist neighborhood law enforcement in ongoing crime prevention efforts by acting as "additional eyes and ears." nno FB

5. Volunteer to Assist with Community Cleanup. To reserve a dumpster for the occasion, contact your local garbage management firm or city officials. then take part in a group cleanup. Demonstrate your concern for your community and one another.

Protecting neighborhood starts with protecting your home first. With Cove Smart - you can get a reliable security system for your home.

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4 Essential Tips for Your First Home

Acquiring your home for the first time is exciting yet a little bit overwhelming because of the financial constraints and having a lot to do when moving. While you’ve been planning to purchase a house for your family, it’s entirely different when the keys are already in your hands. Here are the tricks as you settled down to help you get some insight to make your new home feel better.

1. Have a journal for your home projects. It is easier if you have a list of items to easily tick off the ongoing process and complete home improvements on the note. You can also specify the date you want to finish with that you are efficiently managing your time for the goal you reached for your desired home.

2. Locate important controls. Know the electrical foundation in your home able for you to track whenever there are some changes relating to devices you want to add, as a safety measure while working on your DIY project.

3. Security measures. Make sure alarms and detectors are installed properly and in working condition upon you move in. Changing locks is a smart move and always a good security measure to fresh start. You even may want to install a deadbolt or upgrade home security systems from Cove Smart.

4. Do the basics before moving things. It is much easier to do basic tasks that are good to do without furniture and things transferred already. Steam clean carpets, wipe and paint cabinets, strategically place and plug power strips around your home and spray for pests.

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Avoiding WiFi and Bluetooth Hackers in Your Home

Smart devices do a lot to make our homes more convenient and secure. They can control our thermostats with the touch of a button, allow us to check in on pets and family members via remote video monitoring, and smartphone security notifications tell us if there’s a problem when we’re away.

The software that controls these home control gadgets, like any other internet-connected device, is vulnerable to hackers. The popular Google Home and Amazon Echo devices were targeted by hackers last fall, according to the media. Experts were concerned that the devices could be fed erroneous information (such as traffic reports) or even used to eavesdrop on their owners. A hacker could utilize WiFi-enabled access control to gain access to someone's home.Hacking can be the source of annoyance and inconvenience or — in a worst-case scenario — potentially make your home insecure. Here’s everything you need to know about Bluetooth hackers and how to protect your home and smart devices from them.

What Methods Do Bluetooth Hackers Use to Gain Access?

Bluetooth hackers are known for carrying out three types of attacks: bluejacking, bluesnarfing, and bluebugging. Let’s talk a little about each so you understand the differences.

 A Bluetooth hacker gains access to a discoverable device and either pranks or spams it with messages, which is known as bluejacking. While this type of attack is perplexing and annoying, it isn't as hazardous as the others because a bluejacker doesn't have access to any of your personal data or information, nor does he or she have complete control of the device.

While bluesnarfing may sound like something out of a Smurfs episode, it is a far more serious threat than bluejacking. Bluetooth hackers have gotten access to your device in order to get its data when a bluesnarfing attack occurs. They can then steal personal information such as phone numbers, passwords, and more. They can also change any of these information.

Bluebugging is of particular concern when it comes to home access control and other smart devices because this form of attack allows Bluetooth hackers full control of a device. They could create chaos by playing with your home’s lights and thermostat, for example. Even worse — they could disable your security system from Cove Smart or open door locks that are attached to the system.

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3 Home Security Tips to Help You Protect Your Property

All of your windows and doors are shut and locked.

A simple yet effective way to keep your home secure is to keep all of your windows and deadbolts locked. This is especially true during the summer and warmer months, when people are more likely to open windows and doors to bring fresh air in. At night, lock all of your doors and, if possible, all of your windows, especially those on the first floor and those that are easily accessible.

Keep an extra set of keys out of sight.

We've all used a "secret key" at some point in our lives. For decades, a hidden key has been a staple of many households, whether it was in our family home or to allow your neighbor to feed their goldfish while you were away on vacation. And, while it may appear to be hidden, it isn't, so don't keep a spare key about. A seasoned thief has seen it all and will track you down.

Lighting

As previously said, would-be burglars loathe being seen, therefore having bright external lighting can be very advantageous. Check that all of your exterior lights have working light bulbs, and install motion sensor lighting if possible (both for your back and front yard).

You can buy light sensor bulbs that turn on and off automatically at sunset and sunrise even if you don't have sensor lights. While these bulbs do not include motion sensors, they can be a cost-effective way to keep your home safe at night without replacing your outside light fixtures. Check this out: what is the most dangerous city in the us

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Know Your Home is Safe While Traveling Internationally

It's February and the last area you need to be is where you are, and that means you're packing your things up and heading to a place sunnier--or even some place snowier--than where you live.  Maybe you're skiing in the Alps; perhaps you are sunning yourself on a Mexican beach.  Either way, you are likely to get to prep your home for an extended absence.  The very last thing you want to do in your international escape is worrying about whether somebody's busted in and robbed you blind.  Below are a few strategies to keep your home comfortable as a bug in a rug while you ride South African circles take in Italian Opera.

House Sitter is Best:

 This does a few things--your house isn't unoccupied and therefore doesn't look unoccupied.  If a burglar is choosing targets based on external appearance, this may deter them.  Why pick an occupied residence?  It is simply too difficult.  Second, if your pipes freeze or some flow springs or some number of minor things that may turn significant if attention isn't paid to them quickly, someone will be there to grab it and handle it.  And next, you receive the extra bonus of normal maintenance things being taken care of--plants watered, mail brought in, also, in case you have a pet, your house sitter can watch them also!

Emergency Captain Is Okay, Also:

If you can not get a home sitter, tell your neighbors you're leaving.  Ask if one of them will become your emergency captain, responsible for calling or emailing you if something goes terribly awry.  Be sure to bring them back a souvenir in exchange for this reassurance they're giving you. Check our cove alarm system  Telling more than one neighbor to watch out is cool too--if they know you're going to be gone from x to y date and they see somebody pulling up using a U-Haul throughout that time they could call the authorities and email you posthaste.  If you ask someone or several someones to be your emergency captain, then make certain that you're super prepared to return the favor when they go away.  Or even better, arrange a coalition of emergency captains in your area that performs this service for each other all the time; everybody will be thankful for the zero-worry travel time.

Utilize a Light Saver:

Set some lights in your house, alongside the porch light, on a timer so they pop on when it becomes dark and pop off when you would normally go to bed.  In the same theme, in case you have a snow or lawn service, keep them coming as you are off.  The title of this game would be to make it look like nothing differs about your house while you're gone.