Author: ION

Decorating a new place is enjoyable; however, securing it should be your priority. Thus, you will be able to keep your valuables safe. Burglars look for jewelry, electronics, and other valuable items. Before moving to a new home, prioritize security, especially if you have irreplaceable family heirlooms. Investing in home security allows you to access your house remotely and keep an eye on it.

Security Tips for Your New Home

Protecting your household doesn’t have to dry your pockets. The following security ideas for your home are not only creative, but they are also inexpensive.

• Who Are Your Neighbors?

The first step to keep your new home safe is to find out who lives in your neighborhood. You don’t have to know everybody, but it is necessary to know your closest neighbors. According to home safes reviews, identifying your neighbors reduces the crime rate in your area. One of the cheapest ways to secure your home is to have your neighbors watch your house. You can also look after their houses whenever they are away.

• Secure Your Home; Consider the Doors

One of the most obvious security ideas for your home is to ward off burglars by securing all your doors. Your exterior doors ought to have sturdy frames and secured hinges. An inexpensive way of protecting the house is to include heavy-duty deadbolts on your front and back doors, such as the double-cylinder ones. They are keyed on both sides, and the single-cylinder has a key on one side. Ensure that you choose a deadbolt with a high rating.

A strike box is also an excellent security measure for your doors. Instead of having a strike plate, you get a structure with large plates, metal pocket, as well as a sturdy attachment to your wall stud at the back of the doorjamb. You can also change your locks if you are not the first to live in your house.

• Windows

How can the windows keep your home safe? Ensure that they are at least functional and tightly closed. If your locks are flimsy, you ought to change them because they are not as safe as they look.

You must protect your home because burglars take every chance they can, especially if you’re a new home-owner. The easiest way to stay ahead of burglars is always to lock your windows, use security dowels and reinforce them, especially if you’re always away.

Another inexpensive way of securing the windows is to install security guards, bars, and grids. Some people think these security features are ugly and take away the beauty of their houses. To maintain the look of your lovely windows, invest in decorative bars, which are not only beautiful but customizable. You can also keep thieves away by installing security cameras.

• Keep Your Home Safe by Investing in Security Lights

Keeping your home safe is as easy as investing in lighting. The latter does not only secure your place, but it also enhances the beauty of your home. Security lights wards off intruders and burglars because it is easy to notice and catch them. You can choose the best design for your home by investing in lighting that has facial recognition, motion detection, maximizes safety, and reduces hiding spaces.

You don’t have to overdo your light because this might draw a lot of attention even from unwanted folks. Monitor sensors not only secure your home, but they are also energy efficient. They detect movement and make you aware of intruders. This also saves you money because they stay off when not in use. LED floodlights illuminate an extensive area. Although they cover a wide area, they are cost-effective. If you want to go green, you can invest in solar lights by placing them around the yard.

• Get a Dog

A dog is not only an excellent companion, but it provides security. You can either get a guard dog to watch over your home and attack intruders. Before getting a dog to reinforce your security, you ought to know the peculiarities of various breeds. Also, not all canine friends can be guard dogs.  Although some dogs look fierce, they are not excellent for security.

• Security System

A security system is an ideal solution to secure your home against burglary and intruders. It reduces crime rates around the neighborhood. However, you can’t just rely on any system; you have to secure your house from different perspectives.

Before purchasing a security system, determine if you want to install it yourself or get it done professionally. Wireless systems allow you to monitor your home from your laptop and smartphone. However, a few of them require professional control. Such devices are fixed by an expert, and they have 24/7 expert monitoring.

Conclusion

Buying a new home comes with a certain responsibility, such as keeping it safe, which is necessary, and redecorating — which is optional. Owning a home does not only give you a place to stay, but it is also an excellent investment.

What are some excellent security tips you have implemented in your home? Please share your thoughts with us!

To buy the best drill press, you should consider a few tips given below. A good quality drill press will serve you for a long time if you take care of it and prevent it from malfunctioning. At https://www.cozydownhome.com/best-drill-press you will find information that can help you select the best drill press on the market and within your budget. A high-quality drill press is efficient, and you will enjoy working with such a tool.

Here are 4 tips to buying the best drill press on the market:

1.    Consider the function and purpose

There are various types of drill presses. The most common types include the bench-top machine, a floor standing unit, radial, or magnetic machines. By reviewing various machines, you will identify one that will serve your unique needs. Various drill presses have various functions. You should choose one depending on what you intend to use it for.

2.    Read reviews

By reading the reviews of various brands, you will be able to choose the best. Some brands may be better than others. It is good to read various reviews on reputable sites to also compare various types of drill press so that you can choose the best. There is so much hype about various drill presses. But you may check to review the best types as per the industry experts. You may also reach out to experts for guidance. Through networking and social media platforms, you may also find out the best brands.

3.    Features and specifications

Before buying any tool, it is a good idea to read through the specifications. Try to understand how the tool works and how it may differ from other similar tools. But more importantly, you should read through the care and maintenance procedure. If you are buying a drill press for your DIY projects at home, reading through the specifications will enable you to know the right one for your unique needs. Remember to check out the features too and opt for one that has advanced features. It will offer more options and may also last longer, especially with better care and maintenance. The most important feature to watch out for is the motor power and the table. It may be pricier though. The versatility of a machine also depends on the key features and quality.

4.    Know the key facts 

Some of the key facts to bear in mind when selecting a drill press include the type of head, drill bits, and table shifting options. You should also consider the mortising capability, inbuilt light, and poly -V motor. Having these tips in mind will make it possible for you to identify the right tool. Sometimes consulting an expert through online platforms may also help. Taking time to review facts about stores offering the tools, and their purchase policies are also important. It can help you avoid losses in case you buy the wrong tool. Some outlets do not allow you to return a product after purchase. 

After buying the drill press, remember to follow the maintenance procedure after using the drill press. A drill press should also be stored safely.

Manchester is a famous city in the UK that is well-known for its cotton industries and other organizations. There are many people who want to relocate to Manchester due to better job opportunities, quality of life, and other factors. However, it becomes a difficult one to shit a home or business during breeze and winter. It is necessary to follow the tips properly before planning the moving process in a breeze. This, in turn, gives ways to minimize complex problems while relocating to the city.

1. Packing the things rightly

When shifting home or business to Manchester, it is advisable to make sure that the things packed with high safety measures to reduce damages and other issues. People should pack valuable things with special attention for lowering the risks to a great extent. Packing things in high-quality boxes will help to prevent unwanted issues.

2. Taking insurance 

A long-distance move usually involves several challenges and customers should consider taking an insurance plan while moving the goods. Having the right insurance coverage will help to get claims for the damages in a breeze.

3. Labelling the boxes

It is a wise one to label the packing boxes properly that gives ways to identify goods with ease. Besides that, it enables people to arrange the things in a new property according to needs.

4. Inspecting goods before packing

Customers should inspect their goods including furniture items before packing them. It will help to find any defects such as breakage, infestation, and other problems. 

5. Preparing a list to pack goods in order

People should prepare a list to pack goods in order which ultimately gives ways to transport them easily. Moreover, it will help to load and unload things without any troubles.

6. Planning the moving process in advance 

Those who want to relocate their home or business to Manchester in breeze should plan their moving process well in advance. The removal companies in Manchester will guide customers to carry out the moving process with trained staff. This will help to reach a destination on time to schedule everything accordingly.

7. Seeking support from a leading removal company

It is an important one to work with a leading removal company that offers the best services for customers. The removal companies in the UK enable individuals and businesses to plan their moving process with the latest approaches. They even show ways to choose services at  affordable prices to get peace of mind. 

Whether you plan to sell your house soon or ten years down the line, it’s important to consider the value of your home. This value corresponds to current market trends. This means if you have an older home, it could turn potential buyers away.

You don’t need a huge renovation project to increase its value, either. Simple and affordable upgrades will do the trick. Here are 4 easy ways to increase the value of your home and appeal to buyers today.

1) Fix the Roof

An old, damaged roof can really bring your home’s value down. Even if there are no visible damages, you should still get an inspection to make sure there are no hidden damages. Mold, rot, leaks, and poor insulation are a few consequences for neglecting your house’s exterior.

Companies like MyRoof offer specialized residential roofing services. Its services come with a team of experts ready to inspect and fix your roof. Whether you need a minor repair or a whole roof replacement, make sure you hire a professional company to do the work for you. It’s too dangerous to try to handle a roof repair by yourself.

2) Get a Fresh Coat of Paint

A new coat of paint makes a world of difference in a house. It keeps each room looking updated and clean, which buyers pay close attention to. All in all, it’s a cheap way to update your home. Gallons of paint are inexpensive, and most people are comfortable with painting a room themselves rather than hiring a professional.

When repainting a room, it’s best to consider neutral colors that appeal to the widest audience. That way, potential buyers won’t feel like they need to repaint themselves. Many of them want a house they buy to be as move-in ready as possible.

3) Reduce Energy Costs

There are plenty of ways to reduce energy costs in the home. If you contact your local utility company, they will give you a free energy audit. They show you where your money is going, and how to improve the energy efficiency of your house to cut costs. You can spend the money you save here on other home improvements as well.

Other energy efficient solutions like ceiling fans are a great way to cut down on air conditioning costs. A decorative and functional fan looks beautiful in the home and provides a nice light source as well. If you already have ceiling fans, consider installing new ones.

4) Invest in Landscaping

Nobody likes a messy lawn. They create a bad first impression, especially with buyers looking for great curb appeal. That’s why you should invest in smoothing out your grass and planting new shrubs, flowers, and trees in the yard.

Planting a large tree in your yard is a big time investment, as it takes a while for trees to reach full maturation. However, a large tree can provide shade for your house. This is aesthetically pleasing, and it cuts energy costs as well by keeping everything cool.

Final Thoughts

Though there are many ways you can go about increasing the value of your home, these are the 4 simplest approaches. Taking into account both your interior and exterior can greatly improve the way your entire house looks, as well as increase its value and attract more buyers.

Don’t be afraid to hire a professional if you’re not comfortable completing the work yourself. After all, you are paying for the job done right, not taking a chance on your own skills. Talk to an expert today about receiving an inspection and getting estimates on the services you’re looking for.

There is no doubt that sustainable interior design can play a vital role in addressing serious issues relating to the built environment, particularly in relation to carbon emissions. 

While we are dependent on the construction sector, the reality is that the very nature of construction is unsustainable. Every type of building activity is, to some extent, damaging to the environment. The same applies, in general terms, to interior design because it uses natural resources, energy, water, and creates waste and commonly pollution during the installation phase, while it is being used, and when it is demolished or dismantled and removed. 

Sustainable design, on the other hand, is a complex, crafted approach that considers the environment and aims to minimize the negative impact it makes. 

The key issues and sustainable design choices designers need to consider are related to:

• Energy efficiency
• Water systems
• Materials and building or installation techniques used 

Energy in Sustainable Design

The production of energy, particularly when fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are used, results in the emission of greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change. Conventional consumption of energy also results in the depletion of resources (coal, oil, and natural gas) that cannot be easily replenished – if at all. 

The answer is to reduce energy use by employing passive design techniques, using energy-efficient products, and choosing renewable energy sources.

Passive design is remarkably simple and incredibly effective. What it involves is taking advantage of the sun, wind, and outside temperatures by focusing on the orientation, shape, and layout of the building and its thermal envelope (which, of course, is a vital element of the overall design.)

Passive design incorporates:

• Solar gain that uses natural heat from the sun to warm interiors.
• Solar shading, which controls solar gain, is provided in the form of solar-control glazing, deep overhangs, blinds, or external louvers. 
• Thermal mass, created by using dense materials with the capacity to store high heat and coolness, is used for natural heating and cooling. 
• Thermal insulation, which reduces the rate of heat transfer from the outside and reduces the need for mechanical heating and cooling.
• Natural ventilation that makes use of windows, air vents, roof vents and so on, encourages fresh air to flow naturally around internal living spaces. 
• Air-tightness that helps to avoid unwanted draughts and heat loss. 
• Natural day-lighting, governed by glazing, other transparent materials, and the depth of rooms and used to reduce the need for electric lighting by optimizing the availability of natural sunlight. 
• Living walls, which are a very useful passive design measure that can be used inside the house. Techniques include using soil to provide the thermal mass and plants to absorb dust and air pollution. 

Of course, passive design has its challenges, and professionals will usually need help to ensure that any passive energy strategy is successful and effective. It may not involve all these elements, and it will, in any case, be necessary for the interior designer to look at energy-efficiency too, particularly in terms of lighting, the use of appliances, and energy-efficient building services for heating, ventilation, and cooling. 

Passive design is even more effective – and a lot cheaper – than renewable energy systems that require a substantial input of various professionals, for instance, those who offer electrical, plumbing, or mechanical engineering services. 

Renewable energy systems produce energy from sources that, unlike fossil fuels, are renewable and may be produced in relatively small amounts on site. The most common systems are:

• Solar thermal heating for water
• Photovoltaic cells for solar-powered electricity
• Heat pumps for heating and cooling
• Wind power for electricity
• Biomass for heating

Water in Sustainable Design

We need to conserve water to avoid water scarcity, particularly in dry regions. But apart from this, the transportation and processing of water for use in the construction industry also contributes to carbon emissions.

The most obvious ways to conserve water is to harvest rainwater and recycle the gray water from bathtubs, washing machines, and dishwashers. Water-saving fittings and appliances are also effective, and water meters enable occupants to monitor usage.

Materials in Sustainable Design

Materials are varied and their effect on environmental issues is a lot broader, ranging from the depletion of resources and loss of biodiversity to impacting health and creating waste. While the exact impact on various environmental issues varies, the energy needed for manufacture and through the lifecycle of materials and products made from them is unconditional. It happens all the time. 

Materials also affect the way spaces function from their thermal performance to overall durability, which also affects the impact a construction project and resultant structure has on the environment. 

The best way to mitigate damage is to reduce consumption of materials wherever possible, use materials that are made in a sustainable manner, and to re-use and recycle whenever we can.

Ultimately, interior designers need to reduce, re-use, and where possible recycle materials. Additionally, they need to use renewables as much as they can. They will also need to consider the potential environmental impact of materials, processes, and products at every stage of the building project, including the phase when the building is occupied and later, if and when it needs to be demolished. 

Of course, there are always codes and regulations that need to be considered and so it is always advisable to work with professionals from the city or area where you live – for instance, New York or Chicago engineers, architects, or interior designers, sometimes the full spectrum, especially when it comes to the wide variety of construction method options. A good team will work together and share their knowledge of the key issues of sustainable construction and design in their quest to achieve environmentally friendly results. 

Michael Tobias is the founder and principal of New York Engineers, an Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Company in America. He leads a team of more than 30 mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineers from the company headquarters in New York City, and has led numerous projects in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, and California, as well as Singapore and Malaysia. He specializes in sustainable building technology and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.

According to many design experts, holiday entertaining should seem effortless. When you keep things simple, you will be able to focus on creating a memorable day and enjoy the evening with your family and friends. After all, this is what holiday festivities are all about. Mypaperwriter.com has some great articles on tips on how to host the holidays like a design expert. 

Holidays are different from any other time of the year because of the sparkle, at least according to Bunny Williams, who is a celebrated interior design expert. The holidays compel people to use items with more glamour and put on their party garb. The festive cheer, glittering candlelight, champagne, goodwill, and more transform holidays into magical moments that people embrace.

Most things in a holiday design, therefore, should have some sort of shine and shimmer, such as the greenery, pagodas, decorated trees, and other things. The added sparkle gives spaces a more festive and holiday feel. From formal holiday gatherings to more casual affairs, you can perfect the dining table, décor, menu, and more, even if hosting is something new to you. 

When many people hear the term holiday entertaining, two different images come to mind. The first one is the image of a group of people gathered around a comfortable setting enjoying great food and good wine as they swap entertaining stories. The second image is that of a stressed host trying to set out beautiful décor, food, and drinks before the guests start arriving. 

You need to understand that hosting a holiday event is not so much about impressing other people. Rather, it is about creating a comfortable and welcoming environment and atmosphere that will help you and your guests feel relaxed enough to enjoy the great good, pleasant banter, drinks, and, more importantly, develop lasting relationships and connections. 

When you understand this fundamental concept, everything will cease feeling so difficult. It is one of the most important tips on how to host the holidays like a design expert. If you are hosting an upcoming holiday event that you want to be special but not particularly difficult, the following ideas will help you make it a delicious, flawless, stress-free, and unforgettable soiree:

1. Plan your Menu Ahead of Time

According to Sarah Wrenn, an entertaining expert, the perfect holiday menu should have a mix of both low and high foods, such as champagne and flatbreads, or grilled cheese and oysters. Do not make your menu too stressful or fussy; instead, simply make it good. Better yet, make it a reflection of your favorite foods or recipes. 

1. Outsource Some of the Difficult Tasks

No one said that you have to do everything on your own. Sharing some tasks, such as cooking, will take some anxiety and stress off your shoulders, or in this case, off your plate. Consequently, you will be a more entertaining host.

1. Use Some ‘WOW’ Elements

The way you set your dining table, and the incorporation of various festive elements can help emphasize different holiday festivities. For example, you can add some greenery, such as fir, cedar, or pine, into the table setting, which will create a beautiful, simple, and traditional centerpiece.

1. Avoid the Cocktail Shaker

Setting up a self-serve bar is a great idea when it comes to hosting a holiday party. If you prepare a batched cocktail bar prior to the arrival of your guests, you will not have to run around fulfilling the drinking needs of your guests at the moment. The frozen whiskey sours suggested by Julia Reed are a great idea as well. 

1. Maintain Perspective

Many hosts often go through some overwhelming moments. Whenever you experience such moments, you should slow down and think about the purpose of the gathering. A holiday gathering, basically, is a get-together of family and friends; therefore, you need to stop worrying about little things and look at the bigger picture. This should help you maintain perspective and stay grounded. Hosting a holiday party or gathering, however, does not have to be stressful and/or difficult. Anyone can throw a stress-free and perfect holiday celebration. According to Camille Styles, holiday entertaining comes with tons of practical challenges; however, the biggest challenge for most people is their mindset.

Are you thinking of giving your living room an update but can’t afford a complete overhaul? If yes, then you have good news. Breathing new life into your space doesn’t have to be costly. 

As described herein, something as simple as installing blinds can transform a bland-looking living room into an Instagram-worthy space. Check out these easy and affordable ways to transform your living room:

1. A Paint Job 

Colors have the power to not only transform the look of a space but also how it feels. If you haven’t been feeling good about your space lately and are looking for ways to update it without breaking your budget, then the easiest way to do so is by painting it over.

You don’t have to paint the whole of your home. Something as simple as painting your stairs or creating an accent wall using paint can make a massive difference in how your space looks and feels. Alternatively, you could use paint to create contrast with your doors, window frames, or stairs.

1. Turn Your Window Into the Focal Point

Windows act as a great focal point, and with the right window blinds, you’ll not only transform a bland-looking room into a cozy and stylish space but also enhance its privacy and even cut on your energy costs. Therefore, if you’ve been looking for ways to breathe new life into your space without tearing your bank account apart, then you should consider switching your current window treatment for blinds. 

The best bit about them is that you can even pair them with other types of window treatments. You don’t have to remove your drapes or curtains if you feel like doing so will take away an aesthetic element from your space.  

1. Create an Accent Wall Using Wallpaper

If painting isn’t an option, but you’d still like to do something about your plain walls, then consider creating an accent wall using wallpaper. For instance, covering one of the dark walls with bright wallpaper will instantly bring the room to life. The best thing about wallpaper is that it is removable. Therefore, you can always switch things up in the future if you don’t like the look anymore.

1. Get a New Couch 

If you’ve been sitting on that couch since you were a bachelor and now you are married, then that is the reason why your living room feels drab. Get rid of it and upgrade to a new one. 

Are you worried that a new one will leave your bank account empty? Try draping a blanket or a throw over it. Alternatively, you could get a beautiful seat cover (they are back in fashion) and cover it up. Doing so will give your living room an instant facelift!

1. Let There be Light!

Like painting, lighting can also give an instant facelift to an otherwise dull space. That said, add an eye-catching chandelier to your living room. This idea is primarily good if you have low ceilings. 

You can also maximize the light by adding a giant mirror directly opposite the window. Doing so creates visual space and adds more light to the room. It is mainly a great idea if you’re short on space.

As you can see, sprucing up your living room doesn’t have to cost you much. It is a simple thing to install window blinds and bring in a fancy chandelier!

You’ve put the time, money and effort into designing your dream house, so it makes sense to secure it with monitored home security systems, fences, flood lights and even a wireless home security camera system, right? For the most part, yes. But there are several common security mistakes designers and planners make that not only leave your house unprotected — but also can make your home more vulnerable. Here’s what to watch out for. 

• Confusing privacy with safety. Yes, that 10-foot fence keeps the kids in, a stranger’s prying eyes out and may even make a good neighbor, but it may also provide cover for a prowler. If you give thieves a way to stay hidden from watchful neighbors or patrolling cops, the crooks will take advantage of it — and you. The same goes for bushes near your windows. While the landscaping may look great from outside, it also offers cover for a prowler.
  
  First, if you’re worried about window-entry protect your home with strong locks and wireless glass break detectors that are connected to your home security system. Also check to make sure the layout of your yard doesn’t lend itself to burglars. Keep gates and doorways well-lit and consider reinforcing them. Don’t plant dense bushes and shrubbery around your windows and make sure you maintain whatever you do plant. Keep landscaping height at a level where an adult cannot easily hide.
  
  
• Installing residential home security systems in plain sight. This may seem counterintuitive, because you want to show burglars that your home is protected to prevent crimes of convenience, but sometimes putting everything on display can backfire. Yes, you do want to proudly display your monitored home security system’s placard on your front lawn, but you don’t want your home security system keypad to be viewable from the street.
  
  When thieves have a line of sight to the “brain” of your home security system, they can see if it’s armed before they enter, or even make a pre-entry plan to disarm your system before the alarm goes off. This is especially true for nighttime break-ins, when a flashing LED light can indicate whether you forgot to arm your system before you went to bed. Don’t give them that advantage — install your keypad (and any indicator lights) out of view from your windows and in an area only your family will know about.
  
  
• Giving prowlers shadows to hide in. Outdoor lighting is a common deterrent for burglaries. That’s because we equate daylight with safety. But one university study showed that only about 16% of burglaries take place between 10 P.M. and 6 a.m. The majority of break-ins happen during the daylight, with the most taking place between noon and 4 P.M. 
  
  That means lighting alone may not be the best theft-deterrent. Plus, they can also create an unintended consequence — shadows. Shadows provide even more cover for anyone lurking near your home. Avoid offering shaded areas for shady people by installing motion detector lights from different angles. For example, if a light on your garage casts a shadow onto another part of your lawn, install a motion-detecting light that would illuminate the shadowed area were someone to stand in it. For actual protection that goes beyond a deterrent, consider installing an outdoor camera hooked up to your monitored home security system.
  
  
• Designing your in-home safety around your bedroom. In a study where professional burglars were placed in a virtual burglary simulation, every single bandit made a beeline for the bedrooms. They paid no attention to the downstairs items where bulkier TVs and other electronics are ripe for the pickings as people sleep upstairs, unaware. Instead, they ventured into the sleeping quarters and made off with cash, jewelry and anything else of value that they could fit into their pockets. The reason given? To draw less attention as they left the home.
  
  If you’re still in the planning and design phase of your home, consider alternative locations for a wall safe protected by vibration sensors and a monitored home security system, or a safe that is bolted to the floor. Bedrooms are the obvious first choice for criminals, so putting your valuables in less common places might be a smart move. Additionally, if you have items that are irreplaceable, consider keeping them in your local bank’s safety deposit box.
  
  
• Not installing a monitored home security system. According to the FBI there was a burglary every 43 seconds in the United States last year, with an average loss of $2,799 per offense. Bottom line: installing a home security system can save you money.
  
  Whether you’re planning on designing and building the security system directly into your house or going with a post-build installation is another topic for discussion, but strictly by the numbers, it just doesn’t make financial sense to forego a home security system—especially considering one university study showed 83% of burglars admitted they’d check to see if there’s an alarm beforehand and 60% said they would change their mind if there was one installed. 

In fact, burglars cited defense measures like a wireless home security camera system and the presence of an alarm system as the top two deterrents that would keep them from targeting a home. 

But it’s not just any alarm system that sends fear through the spines of spineless crooks. The systems that burglars are most frightened of are monitored home security systems, not the do-it-yourself doorbell cameras that are popular now. Why? Because monitored home security systems pack a powerful punch: 63% of burglars were afraid of the security or police response that comes with monitored home security systems.

Author Bio:

Allison Clark is a senior writer for Brinks Home Security. She enjoys educating others on the benefits of smart home security and using technology to simplify everyday life.