Well, the latest scare would be fire hazards in the home. Back in August, there were more than 200,000 Frigidaire and Kenmore smooth top oven/ranges recalled. This was due to the fact that over 100 reports were made about the stove tops coming on all by themselves! Even more astonishing was the fact that this wasn't some short where it would come on and go off immediately. The elements will just turn on without being switched on, and they will stay on! Talk about a fire hazard! Several people have even been burned, not realizing the burners were on.
What if you weren't home? Suppose there was a dish rag or paper towel in contact with the stove top? How long do you think it would take for that paper towel to get hot enough to ignite? Not long enough, in my opinion!
Access to your home's security cameras via a streaming DVR would save thousands if not hundreds of thousands in getting fire officials to your address sooner! If caught early enough, a neighbor could even break in for you and hose down the fire.
While I hate to be obnoxious about the usefullness of security cameras, they are a definite necessity!
Showing posts with label cell phone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cell phone. Show all posts
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Security Logic
I recently saw an article about how Firefly is marketing a cell phone for 4 year old children! The phone has only five buttons and two can be programmed to call mom or dad.
Come ON people! Sure, my four year old had a blast "talking" on the phone. Did anyone understand a word she was saying? NO! Since when is a child that young in need of calling mom or dad? I can just see the preschooler whipping out a phone and chatting away with Mom at work or in the gym.
These are supposedly brightly colored phones that can be programmed with age appropriate ring tones, but when is a child too young for a cell phone?
A lot depends on the situation and the maturity of the child, but I'll tell you what....no 4 year old I've ever seen is in need of a cell phone!
My vote, 12 at the youngest, but it's probably not necessary until 14.
Of course, my daughter is 6 1/2 and will, I'm sure, be begging at age 9 for a phone she saw her friend "using". Are we ruining their childhood?
And, shouldn't kids learn to write before they start texting and butchering, excuse me, abbreviating every word in the English language?
Keep in mind that 1/3 of teens in the U.S. have used their cell phone to cheat on school exams. Use your good judgement, friends!
Come ON people! Sure, my four year old had a blast "talking" on the phone. Did anyone understand a word she was saying? NO! Since when is a child that young in need of calling mom or dad? I can just see the preschooler whipping out a phone and chatting away with Mom at work or in the gym.
These are supposedly brightly colored phones that can be programmed with age appropriate ring tones, but when is a child too young for a cell phone?
A lot depends on the situation and the maturity of the child, but I'll tell you what....no 4 year old I've ever seen is in need of a cell phone!
My vote, 12 at the youngest, but it's probably not necessary until 14.
Of course, my daughter is 6 1/2 and will, I'm sure, be begging at age 9 for a phone she saw her friend "using". Are we ruining their childhood?
And, shouldn't kids learn to write before they start texting and butchering, excuse me, abbreviating every word in the English language?
Keep in mind that 1/3 of teens in the U.S. have used their cell phone to cheat on school exams. Use your good judgement, friends!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Wow! Talk about smart!
Our latest technology is advancing in leaps and bounds!
So you think remote viewing from your new DVR is cool? Try an entire network for your home that allows you to completely control your home remotely! With your cell phone you can now view your security camera's current video, adjust the temperature on your thermostat, turn on or off almost anything in your house, or even preheat your oven for dinner!
These new home control networking systems are the next step up in convenience. In fact, new home constructions are adding the necessary elements to new buildings to accommodate this exciting development.
Basically, there are three major companies that are coming out with this new technology: Z-Wave Alliance, ZigBee and Insteon. What they've done is take the everyday item such as a thermostat, keyed entry, garage door, etc. and put their mark on it. What this mark means is that no matter who manufactures it (and at present there are over 150 different manufacturers involved), every product bearing it will be compatible with each other.
In computer terms, it would make Windows and Linux compatible.
So, say you have a washing machine made by LG, a thermostat made by Honeywell, a garage door by Raynor, a Schlage keyless entry, and a security camera with dvr, these products will all work together on the same home network accessed by your cell phone! You won't even have to program it!
These networks work on low-power, low speed digital radio waves and can even be routed through your home's existing AC power wires!
The great part of it is, it will save you money in the long run. Think about it.
When you leave the house in the morning, you turn the AC up to 80. Half and hour before you get home, you get on your cell phone and tell your thermostat to turn on and get the house temperature down to 75 by the time you get home!
Not to mention, if you're watching your security cameras at the office and see something suspicious, you can start turning on lights, which in most cases will scare off a burglar. You can even alert a neighbor and have them check your house. Worst case scenario...you can call the police immediately and possibly nab the intruder in the act. It may mean a window broken, but they won't run off with your great-grandmother's antique pearl ring or the big screen TV.
More next time...
http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping
So you think remote viewing from your new DVR is cool? Try an entire network for your home that allows you to completely control your home remotely! With your cell phone you can now view your security camera's current video, adjust the temperature on your thermostat, turn on or off almost anything in your house, or even preheat your oven for dinner!
These new home control networking systems are the next step up in convenience. In fact, new home constructions are adding the necessary elements to new buildings to accommodate this exciting development.
Basically, there are three major companies that are coming out with this new technology: Z-Wave Alliance, ZigBee and Insteon. What they've done is take the everyday item such as a thermostat, keyed entry, garage door, etc. and put their mark on it. What this mark means is that no matter who manufactures it (and at present there are over 150 different manufacturers involved), every product bearing it will be compatible with each other.
In computer terms, it would make Windows and Linux compatible.
So, say you have a washing machine made by LG, a thermostat made by Honeywell, a garage door by Raynor, a Schlage keyless entry, and a security camera with dvr, these products will all work together on the same home network accessed by your cell phone! You won't even have to program it!
These networks work on low-power, low speed digital radio waves and can even be routed through your home's existing AC power wires!
The great part of it is, it will save you money in the long run. Think about it.
When you leave the house in the morning, you turn the AC up to 80. Half and hour before you get home, you get on your cell phone and tell your thermostat to turn on and get the house temperature down to 75 by the time you get home!
Not to mention, if you're watching your security cameras at the office and see something suspicious, you can start turning on lights, which in most cases will scare off a burglar. You can even alert a neighbor and have them check your house. Worst case scenario...you can call the police immediately and possibly nab the intruder in the act. It may mean a window broken, but they won't run off with your great-grandmother's antique pearl ring or the big screen TV.
More next time...
http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping
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