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How to Be Safe While Biking

With a lot of gyms still closed, people have to resort to opening their own personal gyms in their homes! There must be a better way! Well, there is! Biking! You may or may not have picked up a bicycle recently, but either way, you definitely should! If you do decide to go biking, you should read this first, because today, we have some tips for you on how to stay safe while biking.

You should first know the dangers of biking near cars. Even though bike-related fatalities have gone down over the last few years, cyclists still face big risks on the road. There are more than 700 deaths per year caused by bicycle accidents, about 30% of these are caused by cars. And countless more cyclists are seriously hurt, with the most common injury being head trauma. Now that you know the dangers of biking, you can read how to help prevent anything bad happening to you.

Wear Bright Clothing

Our first tip is definitely a tip you should know before your next ride. Wear bright clothing, especially at night. If you wear darker clothing, it is possible that drivers will not see you, and hit you from behind. 

Follow The Rules

As a biker, you have privileges, but you still have to follow the same rules as cars. That means stopping when cars do, not swerving in between cars, and moving only when you are aloud to.

Wear a Helmet

Helmets are very helpful. They are used by the military, bikers, and construction workers. There is a good reason for that. It protects your head! Did you know that if you wear a helmet, you reduce the risk of head injury by 50 percent? Well, now you know! It also helps to wear a brightly colored helmet so people can see you better.

Don’t Wear Headphones While Biking

One thing that you might be tempted to do is to wear headphones while biking. While this may seem relaxing, it is not at all safe. Being able to hear everything is very important to stay safe. We are not saying do not listen to music, but you should try putting just one earbud in.

Drive With The Flow of Traffic

Another tip we have for you is to drive with the flow of traffic. This way, you don’t have to worry about any head on collisions.

Drive At The Right Time

Driving at nighttime can be very dangerous. People may not see you, and you may not see the road very well, especially on a narrow road. The best time to ride is afternoon due to the temp cooling down, and it is bright.

Drive In The Right Conditions

Our last tip for you is to not drive in the rain or snow.

Rain makes the ground wet(obviously), and decreases traction between your tires and the ground. This may cause you to crash. Snow, on the other hand is a little different. When it is snowing, it is really cold. When it is really cold, you need to wear a coat. The problem with this is that coats are oversized, and may get in the way of your pedaling, and also may make you crash.

Well, those are our top tips for you on how to stay safe if you decide to start biking. We hope they were very helpful to you And Remember, Let’s Be Safe Out There! 

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Tips on Getting to School Safely

With schools recently reopening, that means we are sending our kids back to school. And some of them will be riding the bus, carpooling, or even riding their bike or walking. And of course, we want our kids to be safe, both at school, and their trip to and from school. We can protect them at home and when we’re with them all we want, but the best we can do for them when they aren’t with them is tell them important safety tips, ones they will carry with them forever. So here are some important safety tips you should know and talk to your kids about.

School Bus Safety:

Make sure your  kids never walk behind the bus or any cars

Tell your kids to wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and to wait for the bus driver’s signal to get on the bus

They should stay sitting while the bus is moving at all times; no standing up or walking around

Only get off the bus at your assigned spot; make sure they know their bus number so they always get on the right bus

In emergency situations, they should always listen to the bus driver and follow all procedures that he tells them to follow

Carpool Safety:

Tell your kids to make sure they NEVER get in a car with anyone they don’t know, even if the person claims they were sent by the child’s parents. They should be able to recognize the person who is assigned to get them to and from school

ALWAYS wear a seatbelt, even if you’re traveling a short distance

If you are allowing your teen to drive to school, enforce the rule that they do not text or call, and they don’t distract themselves by eating or drinking. If they are driving with their friends, make sure they are able to drive and stay focused.

Biking Safety:

First rule of the road: ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET! We cannot stress this enough. You aren’t just riding around in the safety of your own yard anymore (and even ten, we still recommend you use a helmet), you are riding on sidewalks and maybe even crossing the road, so make sure you’re protected.

Make sure you have the proper lights. It may even help to get a bell so that you can warn people that you’re around. It makes it safe for you and others.

Learn the rules of the road. Try to stay on sidewalks or bike routes if possible. If these aren’t available, be cautious and very aware of cars and other surroundings.

When riding your bike, travel in the same direction as the flow of traffic.

Walking Safety:

This tip is for the parents: please don’t let your young children walk to school alone. They should only walk to school if they are comfortable doing so, preferably no younger than 10 or 11 years old.

Walk the route with them a few times so they get comfortable walking to school and they know where they’re going.

ALWAYS look both ways when crossing the street

Always be sure to cross at crosswalks, and if there is a crossing guard, always be sure to follow his (or her) instructions and signals

If your kids are going to be walking alone, try to find one of their friends that they can walk to or from school so that your kid doesn’t have to walk alone

Be very aware of your surroundings. Try not to play around a bunch and never play in the road. Always be aware of cars and never try to run across the road if you aren’t sure you can make it without being hit

Before passing in front of a car, make eye contact with the driver so that you are sure they see you. The last thing we want is for your child to get hit.

Stay on sidewalks and always walk against the flow of traffic

If you’re wearing headphones, make sure you can still hear the cars and voices around you in case anyone tries to warn you of danger

Another helpful tip is to make sure your children have numbers they can call in case of emergency. It is best to help them learn them by heart, the younger the better, so they always have it with them, no matter the circumstances.

Those are some safety tips for your kids as they’re off to be our future generation! Part of keeping you safe is keeping the ones you love safe, and safety is what we do best! Hope all of your kids have a great school year, And Remember, Let’s Be Safe Out There!

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Introducing the Seek Safety Now Takeover Program

Do you have some equipment from your old security system? Do you want to switch to a new security company, but you want to keep the equipment you have and save money? Well we have the perfect thing for you! With Seek Safety Now, you can do just that! With our Takeover program, you can keep your security equipment (cameras, motion sensors, etc), and we will integrate your current system into a state of the art Seek Safety Now security system! And all of the features (remote access and much more), are still possible for you to use! But, if that is not for you and you want to buy our equipment, let us tell you some stuff that we have! We have cameras (indoor, outdoor, and doorbell), smart thermostats, smoke detectors, motion detectors, smart lights, and much more! Our cameras are the highest of quality and can be viewed in real time through our app! Visit seeksafetynow.com, or call 1-844-689-0667 for more info or to get a free quote. Our team is here to help you! Well, that is all that we have for today! Just a quick little bit of info to make your life a whole lot easier! We hope you enjoyed and reading this blog helps you save some money! And Remember, Let’s Be Safe Out There!

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Protecting Your Home with Seek Safety Now

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College Safety Tips- 2020 COVID Edition

It’s hard to believe that we are over halfway through July and over halfway through the year. 2020 has brought a lot of unexpected turns of events, most of which a lot of us probably weren’t ready for. One of the biggest events to happen this year was definitely the rise of coronavirus (COVID-19). This virus swept not only the country but also the world, changing life as we know it. Your checklist before you walk out the door now included ‘face mask’. Restaurants are only open to half capacity and some states don’t even have all their businesses open. Teachers and students were introduced to the world of online learning with schools shutting down in March. And now with schools cautiously deciding to reopen, some of us parents are sending our kids off to college; maybe for the first time, maybe for the last, or maybe somewhere in between. And we’re already worried about all the ways we can’t protect our children being so far from them, now we have the added worry that they’ll get sick from a disease with no cure. Well, while we can’t keep your children from these scary scenarios that may be running through our heads, we can give advice on how to do your best to make sure your kids don’t fall victim to anything. So, here are a few safety and health tips for all you college students out there, starting with how to protect yourself from germs.

Disinfect Surfaces:

College dorm rooms have had many people before you. And while I’m sure that colleges have people wipe things down, cleaning a second time definitely can’t hurt. And with coronavirus terrorizing people everywhere, cleaning surfaces is the best idea for your health. Invest in some good cleaning wipes such as Clorox brand and wipe all possible surfaces such as door knobs, light switches and shelves. Also be sure to clean the shower, sink handles and counters. The cleaning doesn’t just stop there though. Continuous cleaning throughout the year can help prevent the spread of germs.

Never Walk Alone at Night:

This is mainly for you young ladies out there. There are many people prowling and waiting for young women who are walking alone, especially in low lit or low traffic areas, just so they can take advantage of them. If possible, walk in groups of at least 3 or 4 and always look aware. Don’t walk around looking at your phone or a book or with your head to the ground. Show that you’re aware of what’s happening around you. If you must walk alone, you should look into buying a bottle of pepper spray to carry with you, or a loud alarm. Also, if you are going to be doing it on a regular basis, you should look in investing in a good self defense class. It’s always smart to find ways to protect your self at all times.

Precautions to Take When Getting an Uber:

We don’t all have cars in college and sometimes the easiest thing is to just grab an Uber. While these drivers are most certainly an easy idea, they can also be dangerous. There have been many cases of so called “Uber drivers” kidnapping people because they staged as a driver when they really weren’t. When you think your Uber driver has pulled up, instead of asking if they are so and so, ask them for their name, that way they can’t lie and say they’re someone they’re not. Also, when they pull up, as them who they’re their for. If they’re really your Uber driver, they should know your name. 

A Few More Tips:

Always know where the nearest hospitals are. You never know when you might need to go or when you might need to take someone else, so knowing where it is is a helpful idea. Also, always carry emergency cash. You shouldn’t just rely on credit or debit cards as some places accept cash only, and you never know when you might need to buy something. You can also look into getting a security system for your dorm room. Seek Safety Now carries home security systems that can easily be installed in dorm rooms, as there are no wires and the installation requires no drilling.

We hope these tips help you new and old college students alike! Stay Healthy And Remember, Let’s Be Safe Out There!

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How to Effectively Integrate Your Home

Flying cars, talking machines, these were things that made up the futuristic world in past movies. And while some of the things they portrayed may seem silly, smart features really are the future. We have machines that can have our coffee ready for us when we wake up, thermostats that can have the home warm and toasty for when we get off work, dryers can tell when your laundry is dry, all these things are designed to make life easier.

Integrated smart homes are the future and we got you covered. In this blog, we'll talk about a few of our top pick smart devices and home automation products you should consider. So grab your notebook (do people even use those anymore, or is everything on your phone?!) and take some notes.

Let's start with a few home automation devices that we really like. These devices help make life a whole lot easier. 

Smart Thermostats-

These come in handy if maybe you live in a colder climate or during winter months when you want to come home to a warm house. Our smart thermostats conveniently connect to an app on your phone and can be controlled from anywhere you are. Maybe you're chilling at home, watching tv and don't want to get up to change the temp. You got your phone, you can change it without getting up. Maybe you're at work and want to turn it off to save money. Yep, works from there too! To learn more about smart thermostats, go check out our blog The Benefits of Installing a Smart Thermostat. 

Doorbell Cameras-

Ever wonder who's ringing your doorbell and would like to check without getting up? Maybe you want to keep an eye on your latest Amazon package that's just been delivered. Whatever you may use it for, doorbell cameras can be a useful addition to any home. They can scare off burglars, or even catch them in the act of their heinous crimes. For more info on how doorbell cameras can be beneficial to your easy living and home safety, go check out one of our blogs, How Doorbell Cameras Can Help.

Automated Lights-

Having smart lighting can be a major plus for your home. Adding this feature to your home, whether big or small, can amp up the safety level of your home. You can set the lights to turn on a certain time, perhaps for when you get home for work, and they will faithfully be on when you need them. Motion activated lights are also a good idea. Maybe you got home late and have groceries to carry in. Your movements will trigger the light to turn on and light the way. If someone is snooping around your house, it will cause the light to turn on and you'll be notified whenever this happens. Smart lighting is definitely a good add on to have for your home.

Home Security Cameras-

And of course, we had to recommend home security cameras. This little touch can mean a world of difference. Getting security cameras inside and outside can boost the safety level of your home. Your cameras can be monitored from your phone from anywhere you are. So you can see when your children come home from school, see when the mail man delivers your long awaited package, and also get alerts when anything out of the ordinary happens. Maybe you're on the fence about home security cameras because you've heard they can get hacked. Well, check out our blog How to Protect Your Home Security Camera from Being Hacked to learn some tips to prevent that from happening to you.

Those are a few of our top home automation picks that can help make life easier, especially during a time where chaos seems to be everywhere. We hope you're staying healthy And Remember, Let's Be Safe Out There! 

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Ways to Turn Your Home Into a Smart Home

Turning your home into a smart home is one of the most important things you can do, so today, we will give you step-by-step instructions, on how to turn your home into the ultimate smart home.

Go Check Out Our Latest Blog that tells you a few ways you can turn your ordinary home into a fully integrated smart home!

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How Home Security Can Help Fight Germs

     We all know about the recent virus outbreak. It's all over the news, everyone and I mean EVERYONE is talking about it. Coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed the lives of high school and college seniors, the lives of doctors and nurses, and also the lives of normal people like you and me. People all over the world have been affected. Church services have been canceled, everyone is homeschooled now, many individuals are forced to work at home, people have had to change their schedules completely. Go to the grocery store and over 50% of the people have masks on. And what's everyone self-conscious about? Germs.

     Let's face the facts here for a second. Germs are everywhere. They aren't going anywhere. In fact, scientists say you yourself are made up of a lot of germs. And think about this- when was the last time you cleaned your phone? You wash your hands regularly, and try to keep your counters clean and you obviously wash your clothes, but do you clean your phone? We probably don't even think twice about the amount of germs built up on there. I mean, we do take them with us everywhere, some of us even take them to the bathroom, so it would make sense to disinfect them. Of course, don't clean it with soap and water, but you can use a disinfectant wipe or use rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. Also, germs live on things we touch often, so be sure to clean door knobs, cabinet and drawer handles, faucet knobs, and also remotes. For more tips on how to stay safe during this time, check out one of our previous blogs Coronavirus and How to Stay Safe During a Pandemic. 

     So you must be wondering how home security fits into somewhat limiting the amount of germs you come in contact with on a daily basis. Well here are a few reasons:

Let's start with doorbell cameras. Our doorbell cameras allow you to have face-to-face interactions with anyone on your doorstep. So whether it's the mailman delivering your Amazon package, the delivery guy bringing you your pizza, or someone bringing your groceries that you ordered online, you won't have to have any interactions with them. All conversations can be carried out through the doorbell camera. That limits human contact. You're welcome. Here are some specs about our doorbell cameras:

▪︎ Once installed, the smart doorbell also becomes a security camera, able to record and send you motion-detected or doorbell-activated clips, or clips triggered by other devices like your garage door. Its motion sensor can also trigger other devices, such as your porch lighting to deter potential intruders.

Are you ever cooking in your kitchen and the heat is just too much? Or you're perfectly snuggled up in your bed and get the chills? Or maybe you're just too lazy to get up and change the thermostat (you can admit it, don't worry, we won't tell). Well, if you have a smart thermostat, you can connect to it with your phone through the app. You already have your phone with you all the time anyway, so that limits the amount of surfaces you have to touch. And our smart thermostats are fully automated, so they learn your schedule and can even learn to adjust themselves based on how often and when you change the temp on them. Again, this limits how often you have to actually touch the system which can reduce the amount of germs spread. Here are some specs about our smart thermostat:

▪︎ The Smart Thermostat offers remote access and control, custom schedules, location-based automation, and real-time alerts. You can control the settings from any location using your smart phone, tablet or computer. The device collects data from both inside and outside of your home to automatically adjust settings to be energy efficient, while still allowing you to have complete control wherever you are.

    Those are just a couple ways smart devices can help prevent the spread of germs. Now, it is more important than ever to wash our hands and clean surfaces often so that we prevent the spread of germs. At Seek Safety Now, we hope everyone stays healthy And Remember, Let's Be Safe Out There!

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Smart Home Security Alerts - Seek Safety Now

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Our Guide to Spring Cleaning with Children

You know what time it is. It is spring cleaning time! Spring cleaning is usually hard, but now, since there is no school to go to, children are at home all day. That makes spring cleaning a lot harder. Or maybe you’ll put your kids to work and it’ll be easier. Either way, we have tips that might make spring cleaning time with your kids a lot more pleasant.

Turn Cleaning Into Games!

One thing children love is games! If you can come up with a cool game to play, they will definitely pay more attention! You could try a sock matching race, or turn collecting laundry into basketball by shooting the clothes into the basket, or anything fun like that!

Alphabetize Your Spice Cabinet

One thing some children like to do is alphabetize. You know something you can alphabetize? Your spice cabinet! If your children are young, this is helping everyone, as they are learning, and your house is getting organized. Remember to be patient with them even if they get some things mixed up.

Play Some Music!

Everyone loves a good tune! Turn on the radio, pop in their favorite CD, or play that family-friendly playlist, and start jamming! This way, you can do some stress free cleaning and have fun singing along.

Reward Your Children

Even if it is just something small, children love getting rewarded. Whether it is money, a toy, or just a plain old hug, they just love the thought of a prize. Let them know they did a good job and they were helpful and this will be sure to put a smile on their face.

Give Everything A Place

Having random junk everywhere is not a good thing. To ensure that nothing useless is laying around, you should give everything a proper home. If it doesn’t deserve a place, throw it away. This will make cleanup time a lot quicker in the future as well.

Now let’s give you some reasons for why you should get your children involved in cleaning.

Learning to clean Helps Children Adapt Socially

As adults, we know that our behavior affects those around us, we know that actions have consequences, sometimes for those who weren’t even involved. But for children, this awareness can be pretty far off the radar. Drawing their attention to cleaning up after themselves (or even being kind enough to help others) can help widen their perspective. 

They Learn Important Skills They Will Use Throughout Their Lives

This is an important one. Home is the perfect place to learn how to do things. If they don’t learn it first at home, they will have to learn it somewhere down the line. Teach them now so that they will be ready later.

They Learn to Be Responsible

Responsibility is key.  If they know that they are in charge of something and that people are relying on them, they are much more likely to follow through. This also helps them to feel proud of themselves when they get their job done no matter how bug or small.

 Here is a guide to help you decide which child needs to do what chores.

If your child is 2 or 3, they should start easy. They should do basic stuff like put away their toys, and make their bed.

If your child is 4 or 5 they should do stuff like cleaning their room, feeding the pets, setting the table, etc.

If your child is between the ages of 6-9, they should do stuff like sweeping, helping with food prep, and wiping the counters.

If your child is between the ages of 10-12, they should do stuff like taking out the trash, loading the dishwasher, vacuuming, and making easy meals.

And finally, if your child is 13 or older, they should do more advanced stuff like mowing the lawn, cleaning the fridge, and making meals.

 That is our guide on spring cleaning with kids. We hope you use this info to the best of your advantage. And Remember, Let’s Be Safe Out There!

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How to Stay Safe During a Tornado

With tornado season getting pretty intense, it would be pretty helpful to have some nice tips to help you stay safe. Well, lucky for you, we have some great tips for you! Here are 10 tips for you to stay safe from this tornado season. 

1. Plan a Place to go Ahead of Time

During a tornado, you will not have time to figure out where to go, and what to do, especially if you have young children. Instead of winging it, you should plan out your hiding plan. Decide where you will go, what you will bring, and other important things such as that. Preferably, you should go to your basement, if you have one.

2. Stay Away from Windows

Windows are very fragile, and a tornado is very destructive. Obviously, they do not mix. To make sure you stay safe, you should stay away from your windows because they can easily break, and glass is very sharp. You don’t want to have to take a trip to the hospital on top of having to have your home rebuilt.

3. Put on Some Appropriate Protection

Where there are tornadoes, there is debris. Walking on debris will definitely hurt your feet. So to prevent cutting your feet, you should probably wear some shoes. Also, if you have a biking helmet, you should wear that to prevent something hitting your head and giving you a head injury.

4. Stay in Your Home, No Matter What

If you are in the direct line of a tornado, you might be tempted to leave your home and drive away, but that is a bad idea. The tornado could change directions, or you could get caught in traffic with other people trying to escape the tornado. It is safest to stay in your home and get to a safe spot there.

5. If You are Driving When a Tornado Hits...

Being in a car while a tornado is going strong is one of the most dangerous places to be. A way to be safer while in this situation, is to get to a building as fast as possible. If there are no buildings, get in a ditch. Do not try to out drive the tornado, and stay away from overpasses.

6. How to Keep Your Pets Safe

We all love our furry friends, and we definitely would not want anything happening to them. During a tornado, they are at an elevated risk. For their safety, you should make sure that they have their identification tags on, and bring them with you in a carrier, or on a leash. But do not risk your life for their safety. You and your family matter the most in these times.

7. What to Do If You Are in a Tall Building

Being in a tall building is a really dangerous situation to be in during a tornado. If you find yourself in this predicament, you should go towards the center of that floor. If you have a lot of time, you should get to the lowest level of the building, but only if you have time.

8. Know What Means What

A lot of people do not know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.

A tornado watch is when you need to look out for a possible tornado. A tornado warning is when a tornado has already touched the ground. You should definitely know the difference so you know what precautions to take.

9. Never Hide In A Mobile Home

One of the most dangerous places to be during a tornado is a mobile home. Mobile homes can tip over very easily, so under no circumstances should you hide in a mobile home.

10.Keep Up With The News

This is a very obvious one, but it must be said. Keep up with your local news. They will give you great tornado coverage, so you stay safe, wherever you are.

That’s all of the tips that we have for how to stay safe during a tornado, make sure to use the to your advantage. And Remember, Let’s Be Safe Out There!

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Burglary vs. Robbery: What’s the Difference?

The fact of the matter is that some people do not know the difference between burglary and robbery, so today we will be comparing the two to clear things up. First, we will go over the definition of burglary.

Burglary is the the act of breaking and entering a dwelling at night to commit a felony (such as theft). A person commits burglary when he enters a building with the intent to commit a crime within. To show that a burglary occurred, a prosecutor must produce evidence on the following points, and convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt on each of them.

Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take anything of value by force, threat of force, or by putting the victim in fear. It can happen at any age, whether you are older and you have your car stolen, or whether you are 5 and you got your candy stolen, it is all robbery. You will not go to jail for stealing someone’s candy when you were a young child, but that dosen’t mean you didn’t get trouble! But, if you stole a car, you would definitely get in trouble.

Among the types of robbery are armed robbery, which involves the use of a weapon, and aggravated robbery, when someone brings with them a deadly weapon or something that appears to be a deadly weapon. Highway robbery or mugging takes place outside or in a public place such as a sidewalk, street, or parking lot. Carjacking is the act of stealing a car from a victim by force. Extortion is the threat to do something illegal, or the offer to not do something illegal, in the event that goods are not given, primarily using words instead of actions. All types of robberies are serious crimes. 

  While the 2 names often get confused with each other, they actually have different meanings (as described earlier in this blog) and should not be used interchangeably. Also, they have different legal consequences. Depending on the state where the crime is committed, the consequences given can vary. When it comes to fines, burglary fines can be extremely high. Again, this is depending on the state, but someone who is guilty of burglary can be expected to pay as much as $100,000 or more for a felony charge. Usually for a misdemeanor charge, the fines are less than $1000. Even if you break in to someone’s home and don’t take anything, a judge may still give you a restitution sentence. This basically means that the court can make you repay the victims of the crime to cover costs for losses and repairs.

As for robbery, it is almost always a felony, punishable by at least one year in prison, regardless of the value of the items taken. Most states punish aggravated robbery quite harshly, including armed robbery, carjacking, and home invasion robbery. Sentences of ten or 20 years in prison or more are common. 

Of course, I’m sure you’re wondering what you can do to protect yourself from falling victim to these crimes. To start, you can install security and doorbell cameras. And always make sure you’re aware of your surroundings, especially when you’re walking to your car or house at night to prevent getting robbed. 

That is all the information that we have about robbery vs burglary, we hope that you use it to your advantage And Remember, Let’s Be Safe Out There!

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Coronavirus and How to Stay Safe During a Pandemic

The recent worldwide outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has people in a frenzy. The grocery store shelves are void of toilet paper, food, hand sanitizer, soap and other essentials. Schools and businesses are closed. People are being quarantined to their homes. People are worried when they hear someone cough or sneeze, or worse yet, if they themselves perform these acts. And with no cure, people want to know what to do to keep themselves safe during this pandemic. Well, that’s where we come in. So if you’re sitting on couch with nothing to do, grab a blanket, snuggle up, and read on.

What is a Pandemic?

First of all, what even is a pandemic? The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) defines a pandemic as ‘a global outbreak of disease’. The CDC tells us that “Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect people and can spread between people sustainably. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads worldwide.” On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, WHO (World Health Organization) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic saying that the virus (which has been rapidly spreading) will more than likely spread to all countries of the world.

What Are the Symptoms of Coronavirus?

If you were to contract the coronavirus, you might not obtain symptoms for 1 to even 14 days after. The common symptoms are very flu-like. They include: fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion or runny noses, sore throat or even diarrhea (I guess all that toilet paper could come in handy!). The symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. More severe cases may experience difficulty breathing and shortness of breath, but only around 1 in 6 people who get the virus will experience this. Around 80% of people who contract the disease recover from it without needing medical attention. Anyone can get this disease, but those who are most susceptible to experiencing serious symptoms or dying from it are the elderly, and those with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart problems, asthma, or diabetes.

How Can I Get This Disease?

You’re probably worried about getting this virus or how you can get it. Well, there are a few different ways you can get this disease. It enters your system through your eyes, nose, and mouth. It can be spread primarily through the droplets released when an infected person sneezes or coughs. It can be spread if you touch a surface that an infected person came in contact with, then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

What Precautions Can I Take to Prevent Getting This Virus?

So the big question: is there anything I can do to try to prevent this pandemic from affecting me and my family? Well, there are things that you can do to prevent getting it. It isn’t guaranteed that you won’t get it, but these things can help limit your chances of contracting it. First, the obvious, wash your hands! We should always be sure to wash our hands, even when there isn’t a pandemic, but now more than ever we need to be sure to wash them. You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, but longer doesn’t hurt. You should be sure to wash your hands with hot water, and make sure to lather your hands thoroughly with soap. Another thing: masks alone aren’t proven to prevent you from getting the coronavirus. If you are healthy, it isn’t really necessary for you to wear masks unless you are caring for someone who is sick with the virus. If you are sick or coughing or sneezing, you should wear a mask and be sure to dispose of it properly. Masks only work if you use them along with good hand washing. And be sure to clean commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs, counters, handles, remotes, phones, etc. To disinfect these areas, use a cleaner that has at least 70% alcohol. And most importantly, avoid going out unnecessarily. You may accidentally come in contact with someone who has it, so it is important at this time that you practice social distancing, and limit contact with too many people.

We hope you stay safe and healthy during this grim time. Seek medical help if you experience any of the afore mentioned symptoms And Remember, Let’s be Safe Out There.

[seeksafetynow]

Tips for New Homeowners

SOLD! Wow, you did it! You just bought your first house! Whether you’re a bachelor finally settling down, a happy new married couple all ready to start a family, or you just never really got around to owning a place of your own, this blog is for you! Owning a home can be stressful, especially if it is your first one. But there isn’t much need for worry, because with this blog, you’ll be well on your way to being a happy, worry-free, new house owner!

Get Your New House Inspected

A super smart thing to do as a new homeowner, or probably even before you buy your house, is to have it inspected. But always make sure that whoever you hire, is a professional and comes highly recommended with good reviews.. It is good to hire highly praised professionals because then you know that the job will be well done for your house. We recommend you get your house inspected, because then you can identify any major or minor problems and things that may need fixing or repairing on or within your house.

Don’t Waste Your Money Buying Frivolous Things

Yes, it’s ok to want to buy new things to make your new home look good, but don’t waste a bunch of money all at the beginning. You already have an old couch that you bought off Ebay, and we both know that it’s time for a new one, but it isn’t a necessity.  Focus on the necessities, for right now, such as your water and electric bill, and then wait for the right time. Maybe set up a savings account for your goals. Save up over time for that new couch or for a nice, new memory foam mattress.

Focus on One Project at a Time

In our new home, we may have so many things we want to accomplish! A fresh new garden would be nice or a cool playhouse in the yard for the kids, or cute flowerboxes to go in front of the kitchen windows. It can get overwhelming, and we want to do everything at once. Or we start a project and then never finish it and it sits in our garage, forgotten and collecting dust. But this can be a problem for new homeowners. We can get so easily distracted, especially when scrolling through our Pinterest feeds, we just want it all! But remember, it’s best to focus on one thing at a time. If you want to start that garden, make sure you’re up for keeping up with the maintenance. If you want to build that playhouse or those flowerboxes, are you actually going to see the project through until you finish? Just stay focused, or wait until you can be able to start and finish the project without it being forgotten.

Keep a Homeowners Journal

Keep a ring binder or an expanding file folder to keep important receipts and documents in. Keep receipts from your water, electric bills, etc, keep important documents pertaining to your home, or even receipts from things you bought for the house, such as repair parts or furniture. All of these things are important to keep up with. You never know when you might need them.

A Few More Helpful Hints

Know how to shut off your water valve. This is important. If you suddenly have a water leak, or need to fix a runny drain or toilet quickly, know where it is and how to turn it off. Also, change your air filter often. You don’t want to wait too long, because the dust that it’s filtering will just build up on the filter and go back into the air. That isn’t healthy, so make sure you change it often. Also, you should try to make friends with your neighbors if you have any. Nobody likes having enemies, and having bad neighbors can be unpleasant. But we can only control ourselves, so the best thing to do is to make sure we’re always nice and the least we could is wave and smile.

We hope these tips helped you!! Having a new home can be exciting and we want to make sure that we take the best care of it that we can. Enjoy your new home, And Remember, Let’s Be Safe Out There!

[seeksafetynow]

Safety Tips for Women

If you are a lady, this blog is for you because today, we will be going over tips on how to stay safe from predators if you are a female. If you are a male, just tell these tips tips to your wife or girlfriend. On to our tips.

Don’t Give In To Threats

One common thing for predators to do is drive up next to you, pull out a weapon, and order you to get in the car. Do not give in to these threats. Run. More than likely, they will not actually try to shoot or stab you, and will probably move on to an easier target.

     2. Never Open Your Front Door Without Properly Identifying Who It Is

Another thing that you can do to protect yourself is never open your front door if you don’t know who exactly the person is. If you open the door, the person can come in and attack you.

     3. Don’t Give The Car Attendant Your Entire Key Ring

Do not give the car attendant your entire key ring. Disconnect your car keys and give them those. If that person happens to be a predator, they can copy your keys, find your address, and come to your house. You don’t want that happening do you?

     4. Don’t Pull Over On A Random Street

Another trick to look out for is when people try to get you to pull over because they make it seem like something is wrong with your car. Don’t fall for this trick. Instead, drive to the nearest gas station or other populated area, and check your car out there. That way, if the person tries anything, you can call for help.

     5. Stay Observant In Parking Lots

A dangerous place at night is an unlit parking lot. A person could abduct you and no one would realize. One way to keep yourself safe is to stay observant and if you see anyone or anything suspicious, get in your car as fast as you can and lock your doors immediately. One thing that occasionally happens is people don’t lock their doors and at traffic lights or in parking lots and predators can just open the door and order you to get out. One thing you should not do is have your head in your phone while you are walking to your car. If you do that, you are an easy target for predators. 

     6. Stay Away From Suspicious Vans

If you come back to your car and you see a van parked next to you, get in on the opposite side. Sometimes, the predator’s van may be disguised as a family van. It may say stuff like “Baby on board” to make people think that they are innocent. 

     7. Don’t Say Your Home Address Out Loud

If you are checking in to a hotel, request that they do not say your room number out loud. With technology, you can have the room number sent to your smart phone. That way, no one can hear your room number, come to your room, and attack you. Also, when you go to the pharmacist or any place like that, don’t say your address out loud. Instead, write it out for them so no one can hear it and come to your house.

     8. Get A Safe Personal Alarm

The final tip we have for you is to get a Safe Personal Alarm. If you don’t what that is, a Safe Personal Alarm is an alarm that you use if you need help. If you pull the cord out of its socket, it goes off very loudly. It can also be used as a weapon if you need one.

Those are our top tips for how to stay safe from predators if you are a lady. I hope you find them useful. Visit Seeksafetynow.com or call 844-689-0667 for a free quote and remember, Let’s Be Safe Out There!

[seeksafetynow]

Smart Vs. Manual Thermostats

Thermostats are very useful, but some have there advantages. Today, we will be going over Smart vs Manual thermostats. 

First, we will go over the pros of Smart thermostats.

Energy Efficiency

Having smart thermostats can ensure that little to no energy will be wasted while you are away. This is because some smart thermostats automatically turns the temp to an energy efficient setting when it detects that you are out of the house.

     2. Total Control Wherever You Are

Another big benefit of having smart thermostats is that you can have total control of your thermostats wherever you are. You can achieve this control by connecting to our app on your smart phone. A huge benefit to this feature is the ability to adjust your thermostat temperature simply by accessing it through the app. This is great for people who live in colder climates and want to come home to a warm house in the winter. Now you can turn it on when you leave work and walk through your front door to a warm and toasty house.

     3. Track Your Energy Usage

With a smart thermostat, you can track your energy usage, and change it to your preference. This way, you can set what temp you want in the house at what time you want it.

Now let’s get into the pros of having manual thermostats

Save money 

Saving money is always amazing, and with a manual thermostat, you can do just that! Manual thermostats can be as cheap as $6, but a smart thermostat is about $132.

This is probably the only benefit of having a manual thermostat. Now, let’s get into the specifics of our smart thermostat.

Attractively designed for the smart home, this thermostat combines cost-savings with convenient energy management through the app. The smart thermostat offers remote access and control, custom schedules, location-based automation, and real-time alerts. You can control the settings from any location using your smart phone, tablet or computer. The device collects data from both inside and outside of your home to automatically adjust settings to be energy efficient, while still allowing you to have complete control wherever you are.

Next, we have some products that go perfectly with any of our other products.

Premium Smart Home Panel

The IQ Panel 2 is a 7” HD touchscreen with built-in 5MP camera with a clean and modern user interface and wireless communication. The IQ Panel 2 keeps you stay connected to all of the smart devices in your system, giving you control while home or away. Exciting features like touchless disarming using Bluetooth and a built-in glass break detector make the IQ 2 panel an excellent choice.

     2. IQ Remote

The IQ Remote is a secondary tablet that pairs with the IQ Panel 2 Plus. It provides a convenient way to arm and disarm your system and see the status of all your sensors from anywhere in your home. Not only does the IQ Remote allow you to arm and disarm your system and see the status of your sensors, but it also offers functionality not found in the app like chimes, emergency panic alarms, and a siren.

     3. Secondary Touchpad

The wireless touchscreen keypad is a useful addition to any 2GIG system, enabling you to more conveniently access and control your security and home automation devices from any room in your house. Featuring the same easy-to-use interface as the Go!Control panel, the keypad has a full-color touchscreen for one-touch command. See and hear system status, chimes and alerts. The screen and buttons can be set to darken completely and light back up with one touch–ideal for bedside placement. 

Those products will go perfectly with any smart home. It will help you to connect all of the smart products in your home. Remember, whether if you pick a smart or manual thermostat is up to you. I hope all of this information was very useful to you And Remember, Let’s Be Safe Out There!

[seeksafetynow]

Keeping Seniors Safe While Living Alone

Our parents may have gotten on our nerves when we were young, but when it comes down to it, we love them. And with some of our parents growing old and, for some, more immoblie, we would like to know that they are safe living alone. But some may love their independence, which is understandable, and would prefer to stay in their home versus assisted living. But we want to make sure that they stay safe when no one is there to watch them. Well, here are a few tips that may ease your anxiety about this subject just a little.

Take Precautions in the Bathrooms

A study done in 2017 shows that one third of seniors over the age of 65 slip and fall each year- 80% of those falls occur in the bathroom. Of these injuries, most of them occur while showering or bathing. The floor of a shower or bathtub can be very slippery when wet. Add the fact that as you get older, your balance may deteriorate and you have a recipe for disaster. And injuries from falls can be very costly. The older you get, your body won’t heal in the same way that it did when you were younger in age.

A good idea is to get a shower or bathtub mat.  It can help prevent them from slipping. Also, if they don’t already have them, install grab bars in their shower or tub. These make getting in and out of the shower so much easier and safer. Another cool idea is to get LED lights that plug into an outlet or get motion sensed lights . That way, when it’s dark at nighttime, they don’t have to worry about finding the light switch or falling in the dark.

Make Sure Help is at the Touch of a Button

A scary part of living alone is probably just that- the fact that you’re alone. There isn’t anyone there to call out to in case of emergency, and what if a phone isn’t near? We don’t like to think of our loved ones being alone, and having fallen without anyone to help them or any way to contact someone for help. That’s why I would recommend getting a life alert button for them. Fortunately for you, we at Seek Safety Now have panic buttons that are perfect for your budget. Here is some info about our panic buttons:

This wireless, water-resistant panic button can be used anywhere in the home (even in the shower!) or yard. It transmits an emergency signal from any location within the range of your 2GIG panel. Signals will be transmitted whether the security system is armed or disarmed. Includes a lithium battery with three years of life.

These buttons can save lives and, hopefully, can even give you peace and put your mind at ease.

Remove or Reposition Objects that May Be Obstacles

Everyone is clumsy sometimes (even if we don’t want to admit it!), and as we get older, our reflexes just aren’t what they used to be. That is why we should make it as easy as possible to get from point A to point B without any obstacles. Make sure chairs stay pushed in and if they have a pet, the pets toys stay off the floor. You should also make sure you get rubber mats that go under the rugs to make sure that they don’t slip around or apply rug tape to the bottoms so that they don’t curl up because that can be a major tripping hazard.

A Few More Tips for Maximum Safety

At the top and bottom of the stairs, make sure there are no rugs or anything that can cause them to slip or trip and fall down the stairs. You can also get some devices with voice commands such as the TV or their phones. Keep their medicine labeled by days, that way they take the proper amount everyday and always have what they need to take at easy access to them.

I hope these tips helped! Another important thing to remember is that our parents raised us. So you don’t always need to make them feel helpless, give them some freedom. Always show your family the love that they deserve And Remember, Let’s Be Safe Out There!