timers Archives

9 simple ways to protect your home from burglars

You might not have a criminal mind, but think how a crook finds the perfect houses to target. An empty home in a neighborhood where people keep to themselves, no cameras or alarms, and dark or dimly lit structures, right?

Tap or click to order your home security system from our sponsor, SimpliSafe.

A home security system can go a long way toward making your house unattractive to thieves, but there are more steps you can take to deter burglars. Here are nine tips you can implement right away.

1. Know your neighbors

Your house (and neighbors’ homes) will be less attractive to burglars if the people on your street spend time on their porches, working in their yards or socializing outdoors. Neighbors who know each other look out for each other.

Make friends with the people on your street. If you trust them, you can ask them to help keep an eye on your house when you’re on vacation.

You can check if there’s a Neighborhood Watch program for your area. And if there isn’t, maybe you should be the one to start it. Tap or click here for the 10 questions you should ask if you want a home security system.

2. Install video cameras

A study by the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation found more than 60% of burglars would consider the presence of cameras or surveillance equipment when choosing a target. This is where a home security system comes in.

Our sponsor, SimpliSafe, offers the SimpliCam with HD video and intruder and motion alerts. Options for home security systems used to be very limited. You could deal with a local company with a complex and expensive system and pay a high price for monitoring services.

But now, there are easier and more affordable options — like with our sponsor, SimpliSafe, which is intelligent, effective and doesn’t tie you into an inconvenient contract.

3. Close your doors and windows

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5 great uses for smart plugs

When you think of smart homes, what comes to mind? Thermostats, speakers, doorbells, lighting and TVs are common smart devices that make your life easier, but some can also make it safer.

A smart home surveillance system can deter criminals and help police catch them in the act if they attempt a break-in. You can monitor your home, belongings and pets while away. While there are many benefits, smart home devices are vulnerable to hackers. Tap or click here for tips on locking down your smart home cameras.

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Beep! Ding! Buzz!

The other day, I was at a friend’s house, and she used her microwave as a timer. I’m all for multitasking, but come on — terrible interface, beeping buttons and you have to walk across the room to turn it off! Forget that. Get one of these instead.

Digital: Set your timer easily by rotating this model’s big, bright screen. Read: No repeated button pressing! It’s magnetic, too, so you can stick it to your fridge or exhaust hood. Grab it on sale now for 30% off ($14.03).
Visual: Countdown timers are usually seen in classrooms, but I find them useful for tracking time left! This one maxes out at an hour, so it’s perfect for quick timers. Plus, it’s 33% off ($16.14) and comes in 14 fun colors.
Verbal: I used to joke that in our house, Alexa was mostly an expensive kitchen timer, but honestly, she’s a great kitchen timer (no hands!) and not that expensive. This colorful Echo Dot is 50% off ($19.99) and available in four great colors. Love the teal!

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Nighty-night: Like dozing off to music or videos on your iPhone? There’s a hidden setting in the Clock app to stop media playback at a certain time. Open Clock, select Timers tab and tap When Timer Ends. Next, scroll down, select Stop Playing and tap Set. Choose how long you want your media to play, and then press Start.

Amazon Echo: 7 common things Alexa can replace in your house

It’s true, smart speakers bring with them a variety of privacy concerns. And since it’s been confirmed snippets are recorded and listened to by humans, you’ll want to be careful of what you say around Alexa.

Concerned about Alexa and privacy? We are too. Tap or click here for ways to stop Alexa from spying on you. However, smart speakers do make a lot of daily tasks much, much easier. Not only that but your Echo device can replace several other common items that you’ll no longer need.

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25 most useful Alexa skills you'll use time and again

Like other virtual assistants, Amazon’s Alexa can provide you with basic information and features such as listening to music, checking the weather and setting timers for completing a task. But to expand Alexa’s knowledge, you have to enable apps, or “skills.” The goal is to make Alexa more personalized for its users.

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5 extremely useful Alexa skills to help you in the kitchen

Maybe you’ve been cooking all your life. Maybe you’re just learning and you want to expand your skillset. If you have an Amazon Alexa device, it’s time to recruit the voice-assistant gadget as your own personal sous chef. With over 10,000 skills to choose from, here are my top picks for ways Alexa can help you in the kitchen.

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