How to Throw A Super Bowl Party!

The countdown to the big game is on, which means it's time to get your place primed for partying. Here are decorating tips from celebrity party planner Colin Cowie and from Jessica Stewart of the New York event-planning firm EMRG Media.

Food as décor
"Do a huge bowl of fruit with grapes and strawberries," Cowie suggests. "It's a beautiful, tropical centerpiece where people can help themselves." Stewart adds that a large punch bowl filled with liquid in, say, green, for the Green Bay Packers, can achieve the same look. Surround it with yellow cups Cowie also puts a new spin on displaying chips and dip. "Take a red cabbage and put your dip inside the cabbage, and put your veggies and chips around that. The way you present your food also becomes your centerpiece."

And don't forget the "it" dessert, cupcakes, which can easily be decorated with icing in your team's colors and make a budget-friendly centerpiece.

Keep it chic and relaxed
Cowie suggests focusing on the experience, not the décor. "I like to get a coffee table because it's low. I make it so everyone has a good view of the TV, and I put out lots of cushions and pillows and rugs so everyone can be comfortable." He ups the chic factor with some inexpensive touches that go a long way. "I put one or two candles on the coffee table, and I burn some incense to get the mood going." Find stylish black candles and tie a yellow ribbon around them to show spirit for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Stewart reminds hosts to relax and not go overboard with decorating or stress about logistics. "You think that you don't have enough, but step back and be realistic. Take a look at your space and realize it might not be as big as you think. You don't need a thousand balloons. Everybody always thinks big, but be realistic. Have fun with it."

Color is key
The competing team colors — the Steelers' black and gold and the Packers' green and gold — make building on the game-day theme a bit easier. Tablecloths, napkins, cups and even balloons are simple, affordable ways to get the color theme going at your party. Even your guests can help with the overall look. "Tell everybody to wear their team jersey, and that just adds color into the room also," Stewart says. "You use people as the accessories."

Cowie says decorating around a color scheme is a great opportunity to do the unexpected: flowers.

"This is not about putting up roses and elegant flowers," he says, but it can add a sheen of style. "Take five or six bud vases and put a few flowers in each of them. It's more about the installation rather than one big centerpiece." Try casual stems such as gerbera daisies, tulips or even sunflowers, which are great at adding a burst of color.

Get creative
Hit the 99-cent store for inexpensive items such as votive candles, football stickers to put on napkins, and ribbons to tie around wine glasses as drink markers, Stewart says. You can even use leftover wrapping paper from the holidays — green will certainly work for the Packers — to wrap around everyday items such as serving trays or plates to make things more festive.

Cowie even has tips for sprucing up the look of your bar. "It's a beer day," he says. "I like to put about 10 different microbrews" and flavor them with "long slivers of jalapeño peppers or a couple of slivers of lemongrass or wedges of lemon or lime." That not only adds a fresh flavor, but it also makes an elegant presentation.

Adapted from: http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2011-02-03-superbowldecor03_ST_N.htm

Tips for Getting the Best Holiday Shopping Deals

The holiday shopping is on, and as of November 1st the ads and store decorations have come out in full force. Hopefully you've been thinking about what gifts you're going to buy, keeping in mind your budget.

James Willcox from Consumer Reports wrote this article with his tips for getting the best deals on Black Friday. Following these tips will help you save during the shopping frenzy and keep within your budget plan.

1. Check out the ads before Black Friday arrives. Many retailers give shoppers a hint of what is to come on Black Friday. You can check websites like bfads.net, blackfriday.info and theBlackFriday.com to narrow your search for the best deals.

2. Shop locally. Research has shown that for electronics and products in demand, the various big chain stores will be very close in their price offerings, so you can stay close to home and not miss out on savings.

3. Check the QR codes. You've probably seen some "Quick Response" codes in magazines and catalogs. These are barcodes that can be read by smart phones with QR code reader apps. These codes give information about products, coupons, special deals and much more. Many merchants are going to be using these codes to attract shoppers who are buying through their mobile phones.

4. Sign up for email alerts. Many retailers are using these alerts to encourage customer loyalty and offer exclusive sales and bonuses. You can also find out if the item you want is in stores and can be shipped or picked up.

5.Check the store's return policy before you buy. Sometimes the normal return policy changes for items purchased on Black Friday. The store may have a shortened return period or many only give store credit for returned items.

6. Understand the warranty. You may think you know a manufacturer's standard warranty policy, but it could change for Black Friday promotional products that aren't made exactly the same.

7. Price match guarantees. Often, on Black Friday, merchants suspend their price match policies; however that doesn't mean you shouldn't ask.

8. Consider bundled product specials. In order to tempt you and get you to spend more, manufacturers and retailers will put a few of their products together for a "special holiday combo deal." The first thing to do if you are evaluating one of these bundles is to research the prices of the individual items online. In many cases the special combo package won't actually save you very much money. The other thing to consider is whether you really want all of the products in the deal.

9. Rethink Door Busters. Retailers use door buster super deals, particularly in electronics, to get you to come running into their store to snap up the incredible bargains. However, they often create derivative items especially for this event that aren't of the same caliber as products in the manufacturer's standard line. This is particularly true for TVs. Usually there aren't a ton of these "door-buster" models available since the retail price markup is small, so depending on how you're planning to use the TV, it might make more sense to pick up a standard model where there could be more room to negotiate on the price and you could get a good value on a better quality TV.

10. Know what you want and can afford. Once you're in the store, salespeople might try to steer you away from your targeted product into a more expensive one. The way to keep this from derailing your shopping trip is to do research prior to going into the store and to understand your budget constraints. If the special sale items aren't available, then rethink your options and check other retailers or online stores.

11. Don't get sucked into buying extras. Even if you've purchased the product you want, there may be accessories that you need, like cables. Salespeople often try to get you to buy the premium brand accessories which are marked up considerably. If you know what you will need ahead of time and do online research, you can find less expensive ones.

Black Friday can be a good shopping experience if you're prepared. So make a list, get educated and have a happy holiday shopping experience!

Adapted from: http://technorati.com/business/finance/article/consumer-reports-offers-12-tips-for/

7 Security Tips for Small Business

As security pros predict a rise in crime, small business owners can help protect their investments by safeguarding against burglary, robbery, shoplifting and fraud which, according to the National Sheriff's Association, cause an estimated 30% of all small business failures.

"Crime can be especially devastating for a small business," Joe Mac McConnell, tells What Works for Business. "The financial loss can be devastating, not to mention the threat crimes like robbery pose to customer and employee safety."

Here's a list of safety tips to help your small business build a barrier against crime:

1. Provide adequate interior and exterior lighting. Interior lighting should be visible to those outside. Exterior lighting should illuminate dark areas around buildings and parking lots.

2. Install an obvious video surveillance system to serve as a prevention tactic, help with identifying possible criminals and deter fraud. Once cameras are installed, place security signs at points of entry to publicize the presence of those cameras.

3. Utilize a safe with a mechanism to make periodic drops during the
day to minimize the amount of cash in registers. Immediately drop large bills to discourage potential robbers.

4. Use background checks and other methods to screen all employees before hiring as the best defense against internal theft. Train new hires about security and safety practices.

5. Install silent alarms to notify police and give them a better chance to catch perpetrators.

6. Reduce advertising banners on front windows and displays behind
windows, which can obstruct viewing into the store.

7. Instruct employees to be the first line of defense in loss prevention by greeting or acknowledging every customer who enters. Provide personal service to as many customers as possible.

As McConnell notes, while you can't completely eliminate the risk of crime, "Small business owners can help minimize risks by implementing a comprehensive security plan, including physical security technology, thoroughly training employees and troubleshooting potential weaknesses."

Adapted from: http://blogs.business.com/whatworks/2009/7-security-tips-for-small-business/

Avoid Being a Victim of Burglary This Fall

As the nights draw in, home owners should think about securing their homes against burglary, damage and vandalism.

There have been many studies documenting increases in burglaries during the cooler months. Throughout the fall and winter, criminals see opportunity in the longer hours of darkness and less secure homes. It is important for home owners to make sure that their security measures and home insurance are up to date. "Burglars will tend to go for the path of least resistance and look for homes that lack even basic security measures, so a few simple steps can go a long way to avoid a break in," says Martin Foulds a senior claims manager for Halifax Home Insurance Agency.

Here are a couple steps you can take to help minimize the risk of becoming a victim and to ensure you are promptly compensated if you are so unlucky.

Take simple precautions.

Most burglars are opportunists, so make sure your home isn't an easy target. Security measures that seem the most simple might actually be the ones that prevent a robbery from occurring. Security lighting, key-operated windows, door locks and dead bolts can go a long way towards deterring a burglar. Expanding on those measures might also appeal to you. Motion-sensitive lights and variable light timers are two of the cheapest and most effective ways to prevent crime.

Use extra preventative measures when gone for extended amount of time.

If you are out for a long period of time during the dark months, a timer switch on your lights at dusk will make your house seem occupied. For good measure, you could also put a timer on your radio to further dissuade thieves. Having a neighbor pick up your newspaper and mail will keep those things from alerting a burglar of your absence. If it should snow, the person watching your house could create car tire tracks or footprints in your drive way and shovel the snow away.

Check your insurance policy.

If you own your home you will probably have both buildings and contents insurance. Check that your buildings policy will cover you for winter damage from storms and burst pipes, as well as damage from vandals and break-ins. Not all insurance policies will cover emergency repairs such as broken windows and damaged doors. Some will offer this type of emergency cover as an extra. You should also check that you're not underestimating the value of your contents. As well as the more obvious valuables, think about what it would cost to replace clothes, CD collections, carpets, curtains and furniture. Remember, it is the replacement value of the item you are insuring that counts, not the amount you paid for it.

Be prepared.

If the worst does happen, the right type of action will ensure your case is dealt with quickly by your insurer. Report the break-in or vandalism to the police as soon as possible - you'll need an incident number. Then quote this number to the insurer and give as much detail as possible about what has been taken and any damage that has been caused. If your home has been left unsecured after a break-in, make sure the police and your insurer are aware of this.

Adapted from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/insurance/contents/8104399/Avoid-being-a-victim-of-winter-burglary.html

How to Know When It's Okay to Leave Kids Home Alone

Whether it's a snow day when school is cancelled, an unexpected business appointment, or a childcare arrangement that fell through, situations are likely to arise where you feel you have little choice but to leave your child home alone.

It's natural for parents to be a bit anxious when first leaving kids without supervision. But you can feel prepared and confident with some planning and a couple of trial runs. And handled well, staying home alone can be a positive experience for kids, too, helping them gain a sense of self-assurance and independence.

Factors to Consider
It's obvious that a 5-year-old can't go it alone but that a 16-year-old probably can. But what about the school-aged kids in the middle? It can be difficult to know when kids are ready to handle being home alone. Ultimately, it comes down to your judgment about what your child is ready for.

You'll want to know how your child feels about the idea, of course. But kids often insist that they'll be fine long before parents feel comfortable with it. And then there are older kids who seem afraid even when you're pretty confident that they'd be just fine. So how do you know?

In general, it's not a good idea to leave kids younger than 10 years old home alone. Every child is different, but at that age, most kids don't have the maturity and skills to respond to an emergency if they're alone.

Think about the area where you live. Are there neighbors nearby that you know and trust to help your child in case of an emergency? Or are they mostly strangers? Do you live on a busy street with lots of traffic? Or is it a quiet area? Is there a lot of crime in or near your neighborhood?

It's also important to consider how your child handles various situations. Here are a few questions to think about:

• Does your child show signs of responsibility with things like homework, household chores, and following directions?
• How does your child handle unexpected situations? How calm does your child stay when things don't go as planned?
• Does your child understand and follow rules?
• Can your child understand and follow safety measures?
• Does your child make good judgments or is he or she prone to taking risks?
• Does your child know basic first-aid procedures?
• Does your child follow your instructions about staying away from strangers?

Make a "Practice Run"
Even if you're confident about your child's maturity, it's wise to have some home-alone trials before the big day. Let your child stay home alone for 30 minutes to an hour while you remain nearby and easily reachable. When you return, discuss how it went and talk about things that you might want to change or skills that your child might need to learn for the next time.

Handling the Unexpected
You can feel more confident about your absence if your child learns some basic skills that might come in handy during an emergency. Organizations such as the American Red Cross offer courses in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in local places like schools, hospitals, and community centers.

Before being left home alone home alone, your child should be able to complete certain tasks and safety precautions, such as:

• knowing when and how to call 911 and the right address information to give the dispatcher
• knowing how to work the home security system, if you have one, and what to do if the alarm is accidentally set off
• locking and unlocking doors
• working the phone
• turning lights off and on
• operating the microwave
• knowing what to do if:
• there's a small fire in the kitchen
• the smoke alarm goes off
• there's a tornado or other severe storm
• a stranger comes to the door
• someone calls for a parent who isn't home
• there's a power outage

Regularly discuss some emergency scenarios — ask what your child would do if, for example, he or she smelled smoke, a stranger knocked at the door, or someone called for you while you're gone.

Before You Leave
Even after you decide that your child is ready to stay home alone, you're bound to feel a little anxious when the time comes. Taking these practical steps can make it easier for you both:

• Schedule time to get in touch. Set up a schedule for calling. You might have your child call right away if he or she is coming home to an empty house, or set up a time when you'll call home to check in. Figure out something that's convenient for both of you. Make sure your child understands when you're readily available and when you might not be able to answer a call.

• Set ground rules. Establish some special rules for when you're away and make sure that your child knows and understands them. Consider rules about:

having a friend or friends over while you're not there

rooms of the house that are off limits, especially with friends

TV time and types of shows

Internet and computer rules

kitchen and cooking (you might want to make the oven and utensils like sharp knives off limits)

not opening the door for strangers

answering the phone

getting along with siblings

not telling anyone he or she is home alone

Stock up. Make sure your house has everyday goods and emergency supplies. Stock the kitchen with healthy foods for snacking. If your child needs to take medication, leave the precise dose but don't leave the medication bottles out as this could lead to an accidental overdose or ingestion. In addition, leave flashlights in an accessible place in case of a power outage. Post important phone numbers — yours and those of trusted neighbors, family members, the doctor, police, and fire department — that your child might need in an emergency.


Be sure that you:

• Create a list of friends your child can call or things your child can do if lonely.
• Leave a snack or a note so your child knows you're thinking of him or her.
• Make up a schedule for your child to follow while you're away.
• Make sure the parental controls and filtering systems, if you have any, are programmed for the Internet and TV.

• Childproof your home. No matter how well your child follows rules, be sure to secure anything that could be a health or safety risk. Lock them up and put them in a place where kids can't get to them or, when possible, remove them from your home. These items include:

alcohol

prescription medications

over-the-counter medications: sleeping pills, cough medicine, etc.

guns (if you do keep one, make sure it is locked up and leave it unloaded and stored away from ammunition)

tobacco

car keys

lighters and matches

Ready to Go
When you're ready to leave your child home alone for the first time, a few other steps can help both of you manage the transition.

You might have an older teen or a friend of the family come over to stay with your child. Don't call that person a "babysitter" — tell your child that the person is there to keep him or her company. You might also want to let your child invite a trusted friend of the same age to come over, and propose this as a trial run for later solo stays. Be sure to let the friend's parents know that you won't be home.

And don't forget that pets can be great company for kids who are home alone. Many kids feel safer with a pet around — even a small one, like a hamster, can make them feel like they have a companion.

So cover your bases and relax. With the right preparation and some practice, you and your child will get comfortable with home-alone days in no time!

Original Source: http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/home_alone.html#

All About Thermostats and Control Systems

You can save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10°–15° for eight hours. You can do this automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.

Using a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the heating or air-conditioning according to a pre-set schedule. As a result, you don't operate the equipment as much when you are asleep or when the house is not occupied.

Programmable thermostats can store and repeat multiple daily settings (six or more temperature settings a day) that you can manually override without affecting the rest of the daily or weekly program.

General Thermostat Operation

You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home. By turning your thermostat back 10°–15° for 8 hours, you can save about 5%–15% a year on your heating bill—a savings of as much as 1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates.

In the summer, you can follow the same strategy with central air conditioning, too, by keeping your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lowering the thermostat setting to 78°F (26°C) only when you are at home and need cooling. Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, programmable thermostats will avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal as you wake or return home.

A common misconception associated with thermostats is that a furnace works harder than normal to warm the space back to a comfortable temperature after the thermostat has been set back, resulting in little or no savings. In fact, as soon as your house drops below its normal temperature, it will lose energy to the surrounding environment more slowly. The lower the interior temperature, the slower the heat loss. So the longer your house remains at the lower temperature, the more energy you save, because your house has lost less energy than it would have at the higher temperature. The same concept applies to raising your thermostat setting in the summer; a higher interior temperature will slow the flow of heat into your house, saving energy on air conditioning.

Limitations For Homes With Heat Pumps, Electric Resistance Heating, Steam Heat, And Radiant Floor Heating

Programmable thermostats are generally not recommended for heat pumps. In its cooling mode, a heat pump operates like an air conditioner, so turning up the thermostat (either manually or with a programmable thermostat) will save energy and money. But when a heat pump is in its heating mode, setting back its thermostat can cause the unit to operate inefficiently, thereby canceling out any savings achieved by lowering the temperature setting. Maintaining a moderate setting is the most cost-effective practice. Recently, however, some companies have begun selling specially designed programmable thermostats for heat pumps, which make setting back the thermostat cost effective. These thermostats typically use special algorithms to minimize the use of backup electric resistance heat systems.

Electric resistance systems, such as electric baseboard heating, require thermostats capable of directly controlling 120-volt or 240-volt circuits. Only a few companies manufacture line-voltage programmable thermostats.

For steam heating and radiant floor heating systems, the problem is their slow response time: both types of systems may have a response time of several hours. This leads some people to suggest that setback is inappropriate for these systems. However, some manufacturers now offer thermostats that track the performance of your heating system to determine when to turn it on in order to achieve comfortable temperatures at your programmed time.

Alternately, a normal programmable thermostat can be set to begin its cool down well before you leave or go to bed and return to its regular temperature two or three hours before you wake up or return home. This may require some guesswork at first, but with a little trial and error you can still save energy while maintaining a comfortable home.

Choosing and Programming a Programmable Thermostat

Most programmable thermostats are either digital, electromechanical, or some mixture of the two. Digital thermostats offer the most features in terms of multiple setback settings, overrides, and adjustments for daylight savings time, but may be difficult for some people to program. Electromechanical systems often involve pegs or sliding bars and are relatively simple to program.

When programming your thermostat, consider when you normally go to sleep and wake up. If you prefer to sleep at a cooler temperature during the winter, you might want to start the temperature setback a bit ahead of the time you actually go to bed; you probably won't notice the house cooling off as you prepare for bed. Also consider the schedules of everyone in the household; is there a time during the day when the house is unoccupied for four hours or more? If so, it makes sense to adjust the temperature during those periods.

Other Considerations

The location of your thermostat can affect its performance and efficiency. Read the manufacturer's installation instructions to prevent "ghost readings" or unnecessary furnace or air conditioner cycling. Place thermostats away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights, and windows. Also make sure your thermostat is conveniently located for programming.

Originally found at: http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12720

Sound Proofing Ideas for your Home Theater

Simple sound proofing ideas to help dramatically improve your home theater.

Here are several different sound proofing ideas and techniques you can use to sound proof your home theater, even if you're not starting from scratch.

Build a double-layer wall. A single sheet of drywall, on its own, isn't that good at stopping sound, but add a second layer of soundboard to it, and you can get impressively sound-deadening barrier. If you already have drywall up on your walls, you'll want to mount the second layer of soundboard so it covers the joints of the first layer of drywall. Even though the existing joints are already mudded, they may still be a weak point for sound to travel through if some of those joints are cracked.

You'll also have to use extra-long drywall screws and an RC channel. Most drywall screws are 1 to 1 ¼" long, so in this case, you'll want to use screws at least 1 ¾" inches long so they penetrate both wall sheets and the stud frame inside the wall. An RC channel is a steel channel that gets screwed to the studs or ceiling joists. The drywall then gets screwed to the RC channel to isolate it from the wall structure and reduce vibrations and sound transmission. You can also try using different thicknesses of drywall and soundboard also, as different thicknesses prevent the layers from having the same resonance frequency, helping to reduce the sound transmission from one to the other.

Use soundproofing insulation. Soundproofing insulation is a good way of using the empty space inside your studded wall to soak up some of that unwanted sound. It's similar to pink fiberglass insulation, except it's quite a bit denser. Each package contains lengths of insulation that are generally 3 ½ inches thick to fit inside a 2x4 studded wall. They're also usually available in two widths: 16 inches on center, and 24 inches on center. You can also use it in your ceiling or in your floor.

Don't use hollow doors. If you're building a dedicated home theater, or even if you're putting together a general-purpose family room, you'll probably want to close it off from the rest of the house to keep noise from movies and rambunctious kids at bay. Most homes are built with hollow wooden doors. These doors look good and are cheaper, but they also fail to prevent sound from traveling from one room to the other. Solid wood doors are much denser, are able to block out a lot of sound, and are one of the cheaper sound-proofing ideas you could use.

Resilient channels. Resilient channels are metal support strips used to hang drywall or any other wall covering. They create an air gap between the wall covering and the studded wall structure. This causes sound to lose more energy when crossing the air gap. Sound can easily travel through one object to another, so if you separate the two objects with an air gap, sound will have a harder time getting across.

Build a double-wall or a staggered stud wall. Many professional recording studios have been built with a double set of walls. They build a single wall with drywall on both sides. Then, they actually build a second wall about 6 inches away from the first wall. Borrowing an idea from the resilient channels, if the sound has to jump through an air gap, it looses much of its energy. Double walls are an extremely effective soundproofing technique.

If you can't spare the extra space of a second wall, you can simply build a staggered-stud wall. This is like a normal wall: the width of the wall is at least 6 inches thick, but the drywall studs remain at 4" in thickness.

You stud one side of the wall, and then stud the other side but you offset those studs about 8" from the first set. You can then drywall both sides. The advantage here is that the studs holding up one site of the drywall don't touch the other side of the wall, so sound has another air gap to cross.

Don't forget about insulating under elevated seating areas. If you've tiered your rows of seating on risers, you'll want to insulate inside the risers, as open cavities under each riser acts as a bass chamber and can throw off the sound elements of your home theater. Fixing this issue can be as simple as placing sandbags under each riser so that they come in contact with the sides of the joists. These will dampen the sound vibrations from the bass and improve your sound overall. You can also fill the rest of the empty space in each cavity with bats of insulation to further improve the sound quality in the room.

Many of these ideas are best implemented when you're ready to start the construction phase of your theater. That's really the best time to use your sound proofing ideas to get the most bang for your sound proofing buck. To speak with a specialist at J&K about engineering the right sound set up for your home theater, call 608-255-5799.

Article adapted from: http://www.diy-home-theater-design.com/sound-proofing-ideas.html

Choosing and Installing Outdoor Speakers

The great outdoors presents a different listening environment than your typical room. Inside your home, there are walls to reinforce low-frequency response and reflect and contain sound. Outside, of course, it's wide open, and there's usually much more background noise — wind, traffic, barking dogs, and even crickets. Below, we'll discuss a few things to take into consideration when shopping for outdoor speakers.

Do they provide enough bass?

The difficult sonic conditions of the outdoors can make music sound thin and diluted. To keep a warm, full-bodied sound, choose outdoor speakers with good low-frequency response (60Hz or below) that produce enough bass for a satisfying listening experience. You may also want to consider an outdoor subwoofer for additional low-end punch.

Can they stand up to the elements?

It's also important to consider the durability of a pair of outdoor speakers. Look for speakers that are weather resistant; you can even find speakers that have been rigorously tested under extreme environmental conditions. Most manufacturers recommend placing or mounting them in a protected location under cover for best results and a longer life. Beneath a porch roof or an eave works well.

Some models, however, are built extra tough for placement in exposed outdoor locations. To be sure you're getting speakers that can handle a direct assault from the elements, check the detailed product information or give us a call.

Placement tips

Here are a few placement tips that should increase the performance of any outdoor speaker you buy:

• The higher you mount your speakers, the greater the sound projection, and the farther away you will get good sound. However, you generally don't want to place them more than about ten feet high, or else you'll get thin sound.
• Set your speakers approximately 12 feet from the listening area and 8-10 feet apart from each other for the best stereo imaging.
• Placing your speakers near a wall or other solid surface improves bass output.
• Alternate between left- and right-channel speakers if mounting more than one pair on the same wall. This ensures stereo sound no matter where you are on your patio or deck.
• Similarly, if mounting four speakers on a square deck with one in each corner, mount the two left-channel speakers in opposite corners and the two right-channel speakers in opposite corners. You basically want the speakers to alternate between left and right channels no matter how you look at the square, for good stereo sound in any location.
• If you have a long, rectangular patio, you can get good results by mounting three speakers along one of the long sides and one speaker on one of the short sides.
• If it's necessary to mount one or both speakers in an exposed location, make sure you choose speakers that are rated for extreme conditions. Also, when mounting the speakers, tilt the speakers so the cones face slightly down for drainage.
• If you find that you don't have sufficient sound coverage, it's better to add more speakers instead of more volume. For example, if you can't hear the speakers attached to the outside wall of your house at your pool, you'd want to add more speakers closer to the pool. The alternative, simply turning up the volume to your existing speakers, could cause them to be much too loud for people sitting on your deck.

Experiment with placement before permanently mounting the speakers. Place the speakers in a likely location, and walk around to determine how well the sound travels throughout the listening area. Once you're satisfied, it's time to mount the speakers.

Mounting your outdoor speakers

After determining the ideal spot for your speakers (hopefully with some overhead protection from the elements), it's time to mount them. Most outdoor speakers include mounting brackets, and you'll want to follow the included instructions to make sure they're properly secured.

We've found that it is best to mount your speakers to a solid wood or masonry surface. Avoid attaching your speakers directly to aluminum or cedar sidings when you can; they may not be strong enough to support the weight of your speakers.

Speaker wire

You will need to run speaker wire through your walls to get the sound from your stereo to your outdoor speakers. Here are a few recommendations for running wire to your outdoor speakers that should simplify the installation process and save you maintenance time down the road:

• Speaker wire should be run through your walls and not sent out through a door or window jamb, as it is possible to crimp the cable and cause a short.
• Determine the cable's path, especially wall entry and exit points, and measure the path as precisely as you can. Add 10-15% of that length to your total measurement to give you some play when you install the cables.
• Decide on the gauge of wire you will use. You can typically use 16 gauge wire for runs of 80 feet or less. Use 14 gauge wire for runs of up to 200 feet.
• Consider how four conductor speaker wire could cut down on the number of runs you'll have to make. For instance you could make two runs of regular wire to power each speaker in a pair. If you use four conductor wire you will have only one run, since the wire jacket contains two pairs of wire.
• We recommend that you use speaker cable that complies with the national electrical code for in-wall installation. These types of wire come with a smooth casing that makes it easy to run through walls and other tight places. Plus, the casing stands up well against climate changes. Look for cable labeled CL2 or CL3.
• When running speaker wire underground, use wire rated for direct burial. It's specifically designed to handle underground temperature and moisture conditions.
• It's a good idea to run underground wire through PVC conduit, even when using direct-burial wire. Since it can be hard to remember exactly where you buried the wire, this will prevent you from cutting through it with a shovel or other gardening tool at some point down the road.
• Bring the speaker cable through the exterior wall very close to each speaker location. The less speaker wire you use outside your house, the better.
• No matter where your speaker wire will exit your house, the hole will need to be sealed with silicone or another appropriate sealant for insulation and as an insect barrier.
• If you run underground cable to a "planter" or "rock" speaker, you may want to coil up a few extra feet of wire and place it directly under the speaker. This way, you'll have some extra wire if you decide to move the speaker later on, and won't need to redo the entire underground run.
• If your speakers have binding posts that accept spade connectors, pins or banana plugs, we recommend them over bare wire connections.

Other ideas

You may want to install separate volume controls for each pair of speakers. This will allow you to control the volume of each pair independently. Even if you only have one pair of outdoor speakers, this technique will keep you from running inside the house every time you want to adjust the volume. Make sure you choose weatherproof volume controls since, like outdoor speakers, they're designed to handle the elements.

Adapted from: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-452I6vQl9Gz/learn/learningcenter/home/speakers_outdoor.html

The Unique Benefits of LED Lights

LED lights are earth-friendly lighting alternatives with their low energy consumption, long life-spans and safe, mercury-free manufacturing, yet, there are even more benefits to LED lights that are less frequently talked about. While saving energy and money with LEDs, you can also improve your home’s look and atmosphere and your mood.

Homeowners are starting to realize what jewelers and grocers realized a long time ago: LEDs can improve the appearance of everything they illuminate. The human eye is ideal for viewing the world in the broad spectrum of natural sunlight. LED lights transmit 90% of the sun's spectrum, and are far closer to natural light than fluorescent, incandescent or induction lighting. They allow people to see the true color of objects and their surroundings.

Our body responds positively to natural sunlight; it's why a bright spring day can put you in a good mood and fill you full of energy. When people get insufficient light, especially common during the shorter days of winter, they can become sluggish or even suffer from significant interruptions to mood and function. Conventional lighting does not provide enough light at the blue-green end of the spectrum to compensate for the lack of natural sunlight.

The nearly-natural light that is cast by LEDs has been shown to help control the body's production of melatonin, a chemical that regulates the body's sleep-wake cycle. LED lights are used in light therapy boxes to treat a broad range of conditions, including Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), migraine headaches, postpartum depression, jet lag, certain sleep disorders and shift-work problems.

LED lights are an easy fix to many problems, from saving money to going green to helping reduce certain health issues. To switch to LED lights in your home, click here.

Adapted from http://www.pristineled.com/faq.php

Springtime Security

Let's face it - airing your home out in the warmer weather is one of the highlights of spring! Pleasant spring temperatures can tempt homeowners to keep their garage doors open, unlock their windows, and put their screen doors to use. However, it's important to keep security in mind as the seasons change, and to only leave windows open and doors unlocked during the day while you are home, depending on the safety of your neighborhood. Make sure you continue to lock your doors and windows and close your garage door at night and while you are away. If you prefer to enjoy the nighttime breeze while sleeping, look into safety locks, which can be installed on most windows and prevent them from being opened more than a few inches.

The start of spring is also a great time to make sure all your motion-activated lights are working properly and will continue to do so. Winter’s ice and freezing temperatures can take a toll on the electrical wiring of outdoor equipment, so check to make sure the wiring and the casing is fully insulated and watertight. The heat from bulbs can turn any moisture in the light casing into steam and cause the unit to explode. If you need to replace bulbs in outdoor lights, be sure the weather is dry and do not to touch the new bulb with your bare fingers, as the moisture from your hands can damage the unit. Also, be sure to check that the sensor is not covered with dirt, branches or leaves.

Like lighting, it’s easy to tell when an outdoor security camera isn’t functioning. Take steps at the end of each winter to ensure that the system continues working as it should by checking to see that the casing hasn’t cracked and moisture hasn’t gotten inside near the camera. Also, be sure that the mounting is still secure and the wiring isn’t tangled or frayed.

With these steps, your house will continue to be a safe home for your family throughout the seasons.

Sources: http://phoenix.gov/police/900_alarmnews.pdf, http://real-estate-agents.com/tips.maintenance/ready-for-spring/, http://www.ehow.com/facts_7405621_motion-flood-light-problems.html

Give Security to the Ones You Love

Safety is always the number one concern behind locking the doors at night, changing the batteries on our household smoke detectors, or even leaving a couple lights on when we go out to dinner. An integrated home security system provides the ultimate in home safety and gives families the peace of mind that can come from knowing that your house can take care of every safety issue for you.

SmartHome, an integrated home security system, provides greater security by combining all security components into one, easy-to-control system. Now, any safety concerns your family may have like locks, lights and video surveillance can be easily managed through one system. Parents can rest assured that if a security concern is detected like smoke, carbon monoxide, or a burglary, the system will automatically contact authorities.

Installing an integrated security system can sound like an overwhelming and - not to mention - expensive undertaking. However, with so many options available, integrating your system doesn’t mean you have to break the bank!

Click here to watch video overview of Smart Home technology.

Contact us today and meet with one of our J&K Smart Home experts to discuss security options for your home.

Carbon Monoxide FAQs

What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death.

Where is CO found?
CO is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned by breathing it.

Who is at risk from CO poisoning?
All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning. Certain groups — unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems — are more susceptible to its effects. Fatality is highest among Americans 65 and older.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death. Unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses. People who are sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before ever experiencing symptoms.

How does CO poisoning work?
Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, the body may replace oxygen in blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into the body, which can damage tissues and result in death.

How can I prevent CO poisoning from my home appliances?

• Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
• Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters (catalytic) indoors. Although these heaters don't have a flame, they burn gas and can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• If you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator's cooling unit have an expert service it. An odor from the cooling unit of your gas refrigerator can mean you have a defect in the cooling unit. It could also be giving off CO.
• When purchasing gas equipment, buy only equipment carrying the seal of a national testing agency, such as the American Gas Association or Underwriters' Laboratories.
• Install a battery-operated CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.

How do I vent my gas appliances properly?

• All gas appliances must be vented so that CO will not build up in your home, cabin, or camper.
• Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn't vented.
• Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris. This can cause CO to build up inside your home or cabin.
• Never patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else. This kind of patch can make CO build up in your home, cabin, or camper.
• Horizontal vent pipes to fuel appliances should not be perfectly level. Indoor vent pipes should go up slightly as they go toward outdoors. This helps prevent CO or other gases from leaking if the joints or pipes aren't fitted tightly.

How can I heat my house safely or cook when the power is out?

• Never use a gas range or oven for heating. Using a gas range or oven for heating can cause a build up of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• Never use a charcoal grill or a barbecue grill indoors. Using a grill indoors will cause a build up of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper unless you use it inside a vented fireplace.
• Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal — red, gray, black, or white — gives off CO.
• Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors. Using a gas camp stove indoors can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door, or vent.

How can I avoid CO poisoning from my vehicle?

• Have a mechanic check the exhaust system of my car every year. A small leak in your car's exhaust system can lead to a build up of CO inside the car.
• Never run a car or truck in the garage with the garage door shut. CO can build up quickly while your car or truck is running in a closed garage. Never run your car or truck inside a garage that is attached to a house and always open the door to any garage to let in fresh air when running a car or truck inside the garage.
• If you drive a vehicle with a tailgate, when you open the tailgate, you also need to open vents or windows to make sure air is moving through your car. If only the tailgate is open CO from the exhaust will be pulled into the car.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm

NEW Wisconsin Carbon Monoxide Detector Law - Effective February 1

More than 40,000 Americans are sent to the emergency room and more than 2,000 lives are lost every year due to carbon monoxide, which, at high concentrations, can prove fatal within minutes. In an attempt to further protect Wisconsin residents from the gas dubbed “the silent killer,” former Governor Doyle signed a law that will require all homes to contain a working carbon monoxide detector beginning February 1.

The new law expands the current carbon monoxide detector requirements to all one- and two-family homes, and requires carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in the basements and on each floor level except the attic or storage areas. If you’re looking into building a new home or office, be aware that new constructions must be hard-wired with a battery back up starting in February, although existing homes may still install any type of alarm (battery, plug-in, or combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms).

If you’re looking to sell your house, installing more or new carbon monoxide detectors in accordance to the new law can help avoid snags in the process later on. Although the law is intended to educate and promote safety, all home inspectors are required to check for carbon monoxide detectors, and a lack of detectors could cause a hold-up in closing the sale come February.

A carbon monoxide detector is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to protect you and your family. Whether you would prefer a simple, battery-powered detector, or a more complex system, which can monitor your home’s carbon monoxide levels and contact emergency services if necessary, we can help keep your family safe. Call J&K Security Solutions today for more information on carbon monoxide detectors or installation.