October 17, 2018

TeenSafe As a Method to Protect Kids



It’s no secret that technology has changed our world. The internet and smartphones have brought us closer together and given us access to information that would have been unthinkable before. It’s great, but there’s also some not so great stuff on the internet, especially for kids. Even though our son is not old enough yet to have his own phone, I’m already thinking about how to introduce him to all the good stuff technology can give us, while keeping him from the harmful stuff as much as possible. A friend of mine recommended the phone monitoring service TeenSafe and after giving it a look, it seems like a really good option for keeping kids safe. I wanted to give a quick rundown of the service for those interested.

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Message and call features

One of the big things I worry about with smartphones is that our son will come into contact with the wrong kind of people. It’s sad but true that there are plenty of people online who are seeking to prey on unsuspecting children. After they’ve established a relationship of trust, they’ll often move communications to text messaging to achieve their goals. The monitoring service allows parents to see both received and sent texts and even gives access to deleted texts. It also gives access to phone call logs to see incoming and outgoing calls.

The service also gives parents the ability to view messages sent via third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp and Kik. This can be really useful because a lot of times people will prefer to not use texts as apps can provide more anonymity. Monitoring these types of communications can give another line of defense against unwanted contact.

Location tracking

This is another important one for me. As my son takes more and more steps towards independence, I want to support him while also knowing that he is safe. Being able to view his location, and a map of where he’s been, allows me to know that he’s not getting into trouble. If I see he’s in an unknown place or a place he shouldn’t be, it would be an opportunity to chat with him about the importance of communication and respecting boundaries.

Website history viewing

I want my son to explore the world and a big part of that exploration can come from exploring the internet, which I support. But realistically there are a lot of websites that I don’t want my son seeing, as they can have explicit content. Being able to see what sites he’s visiting again provides an opportunity to talk about what he’s viewing and to make sure he’s keeping his online exploration as safe as can be expected.

Using a phone monitoring service can be a really great tool for parents who want to encourage their kids to use technology in a safe and productive way. After checking out its features and reviews, TeenSafe is the one I’ll be using when the time comes. If you’re worried about the potential harm that could come from access to technology, give the service a look and think about if it may be right for you.

More about TeenSafe at www.teensafe.com/blog
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October 5, 2018

The Benefit of Installing a Severe Weather Tracker



This is the time of the year we will be experiencing bad weather condition with thunderstorms, plenty of rain, and even floods in low lying areas. Local authorities have set up flood monitoring teams to be on the standby in case there is flooding and to be available to evacuate those affected.

In the preparation and anticipation of thunderstorms, big trees are being trimmed to protect the community and properties and drains are being cleared to prevent flooding in times of heavy rainfalls. Bad weather conditions are expected in many areas especially those within the paths of typhoons actively making their way across the globe.

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As members of the public, especially those staying in flood prone areas, etc. it is our responsibility to stay updated on the weather conditions and keep ourselves tuned in to any warning alerts by our local Meteorological Department when a warning signal is being picked up by the severe weather tracker. When the alert warning is released, there will be ample time for the evacuation work to be carried out to get those affected to a safe place.

For those who are staying in remote areas that are prone to flooding or areas that are exposed to severe weather conditions, an outdoor weather tracking system that is fully integrated with in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning detection technology will be needed. It can be used to alert the community with outdoor warning sirens in times of approaching danger, and also by sending out lightning-strike alerts, emails and text alerts to recipients.

The severe weather tracker system comes equipped with a built-in battery backup and are made up of professional-grade components which are virtually maintenance free. These outdoor weather trackers are built for outdoor installation with a fully integrated indoor control unit which contains a loud internal speaker with an adjustable volume level to alert personnel inside. It can be wall-mounted or can be placed on a desktop to provide control buttons for users.

Users are able to configure hours of operation, lightning-strike distance, and alert duration. The system is equipped with a real-time dashboard displaying the current alert status information such as connection, active, last stroke time, distance, and a countdown clock with the estimated time to All Clear. This type of outdoor alerting system is necessary for schools, universities, big organizations, and etc.
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October 3, 2018

The Most Important Tips For First-time Family Car Buyers


In 2017, victims of online car buying scams lost more than 64 million and more than 17,000 cases of auto frauds were reported, according to the National White Collar Crime Control. Fraud, overpricing, and poor vehicle condition are among the most common problems that oblivious buyers experience. Purchasing a vehicle is one of the most significant risks one can make, especially if you do not know much about vehicles. How should you avoid scammers and untruthful salespersons? The answer to this is conducting sufficient research before visiting any dealership to ensure safety and to make the best of your purchase regarding price.

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Do your research

"When buying a car from a dealer, many people start backward by visiting the dealership before doing research," Jim Davidson, president of Carsmart told the star. He termed that as the worst thing to do because you might fall prey to pressure from salespeople and misinformation. "You want to buy the car that is best for you, and your family's needs, not necessarily what the dealer wants to sell that week. You should walk away from such pushy people," said Terry O'keefe of Ontario Motor vehicle Industry Council. When doing your homework, always keep in mind that online reviews can be fake and biased. In that line, Davidson advises using Consumer Reports, which is a non-profit organization that helps consumers make the most informed decisions.

Go for a test-drive and see a mechanic

Once you have settled on a model that suits your family’s needs, Davidson recommends visiting a minimum of 3 dealerships so that you get the best deal and that you should be clear you want to test it on the road. While driving the vehicle, take it to the highway, especially if it is a second hand. Bringing it to higher speeds could help identify any mechanical problems. Also, make sure to bring with you someone who understands the car in case you encounter difficulties.

"It would be a huge risk to turn money over to a private seller especially without getting a history report," O'Keefe says. He also advises that while asking for a history report is vital, a mechanic is better because they can find things that the seller failed to mention or did not even know about. Taking a car to a mechanic also helps to fish out scams and curbsiders, increasing your confidence about both the vehicle and the dealership.

O'Keefe recommends consumers to ask some serious questions to ensure they are not being scammed. These include how long the seller has owned the car if they have maintenance records and the reason for selling the car. In addition, whether you are buying a new or a used car, it is imperative that you know your rights as a buyer. This is particularly of use when it comes to signing contracts. "Many people assume that there is a cooling-off-period for all kinds of transactions, but there is none for vehicles. Do not sign a contract unless you are certain you want to complete the sale, " he says.
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