Recent winter storms caused chaos for airlines and passengers, with thousands of canceled flights and stranded travelers. Outdated IT systems were the real issue — not the weather. Why are airlines relying on such old systems?
5 simple ways to protect your home this winter
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Winter months can bring some serious challenges for homeowners. Icy driveways, slick walkways and frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage.
Whether you tough it out or take off to warmer climates, you want to keep your home safe over the winter months. That means you need protection from thieves while you’re away. Protect your home with the security system that protects Kim’s family, SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafeKim.com today to save 40% on a home security system and get your first month free when you sign up for Interactive Monitoring.
Slippery, snow-covered roads can be challenging for firefighters, police and paramedics responding to emergencies, so you need a plan in place to protect your home until help can arrive. Here are five steps you can take to protect what’s most important to you.
1. Think like a thief
Thieves are always looking for moments to strike, and winter offers plenty of opportunities. They target “snowbirds” who leave their homes for months at a time for warmer areas.
They pose as delivery or service crews (driveway not shoveled … hmm, there’s a flag no one is home!) to scope out neighborhoods, and we all know about porch pirates, who take your deliveries right from your doorstep.
But what do thieves hate? A great security system.
2 Get a solid home security system in place
Our sponsor SimpliSafe takes home security to the next level and can help put your mind at ease. SimpliSafe is a wireless security system that is super easy to set up and easy to use, too.
SimpliSafe offers door and window sensors and pet-friendly motion detectors for security. The loud 85dB siren in the base station, with the option for a second 105dB siren, will drive off most burglars.
This security system doesn’t just protect you from intruders. SimpliSafe also has sensors for freeze warnings, floods, carbon monoxide and smoke detection. You also get a panic button in case you feel you’re in danger inside your house.
Prep your home for winter now before you get too busy with the holidays
Depending on where you are in the world, Jack Frost may have already visited your home. That’s the case for our vice president, Kip Kuroski. When he wakes up in his South Dakota home and looks outside, his entire yard is blanketed in snow.
Bin it to win it!
🧳 Say goodbye to clutter this spring.
- Put away your winter clothes with 20 vacuum-sealed bags.
- Up your car’s legroom with a net pocket (20% off) that hooks right on the ceiling.
- Slip an airplane organizer over your tray table, so your stuff’s always within reach.
- This stroller organizer (10% off) has plenty of pockets. No more juggling bags.
- These hanging storage pockets (12% off) are perfect for stashing your shoes, purses and the kid’s toys.
🛍️ Dress to impress: Keep your fancy suits and dresses looking as sharp as you with some garment bags (8% off).
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68 to 70 degrees: Your thermostat’s sweet spot during winter to keep you comfy without raising your heating bill. Pro tip: Turn it down by 7 to 10 degrees for the hours you’re at work. You may save up to 10% a year. A smart thermostat makes it easy to maintain a schedule.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Tech you need for your emergency kit
Big winter storm coming your way? Here’s what you need to prepare.
🐱 Purrfectly at home: Kevin Mohn built a two-story “Up North Cat Condo” (paywall link) to keep stray cats warm in the chilly Minnesota winter. Now over 3 million people watch the livestream here. What’s the difference between a cat and a comma? A cat has claws at the end of its paws and a comma is a pause at the end of a clause.
The ‘Case of the Mondays’ savings
✏️ I found some neat stuff to help you kick off your workweek:
- Put this knitted potato (30% off) on your desk for some cute motivation.
- Snag a rotating organizer ($10) to grab a pen from any angle.
- Feeling chilly in the office? Warm up with a lap blanket ($35). Click the coupon for 10% off!
- For my cat lovers, here’s an adorable note dispenser (33% off).
- Grab a memo board ($7) to keep your notes nice and organized.
🛒 Before you check out: Hit up my page for other great things you didn’t know you needed. Happy scrolling!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Sorry, clothed for the winter: An Oregon woman’s naked photos became town gossip after a prosecutor looked through her phone and shared them with the county sheriff. There was no warrant, no consent and no suspicion of a crime. She sued, but he’s got “qualified immunity,” a loophole that protects government officials unless a court has already ruled the exact same misconduct illegal. PSA: This is just one of many reasons not to store naked pics on your phone.
I wish I’d thought of these …
- This refrigerator deodorizer (21% off) lasts for 10 years, so you won’t be left wondering how old that box of baking soda is.
- I use this smart coffee mug (16% off) for my evening cup of tea.
- Dirty white sneakers make you look messy. Instead of buying a new pair, try this magical $12 cleaning sponge.
- Grab a ball of Blu Tack and press it into your earbud speakers. Pull it away and see all the junk inside that comes out. Gross, I know.
- Color-catcher sheets grab all the dye in the washing machine so your lights stay light. They look pretty gross when you pull ‘em out.
💋 It happens to all of us in the winter: Crusty lips are a no-go. I like Aquaphor’s repair balm with no smell or shine.
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August 26th, 2023
I spoke with director Alex Winter about his doc “The YouTube Effect” — and ways the platform has changed our lives. Also, Elon Musk says X could fail after a series of blunders. Dangerous baby products sold on FB, people use dating apps for networking and back-to-school deals. All that and much more, plus all your calls and questions.
See live bird migration maps in your area
Want to watch the birds fly south for the winter? In one minute, I’ll share a few tech tips all bird lovers should know about.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How China used tech to fake a great Olympics
Did you miss the Beijing Winter Olympics? You aren’t alone. Listen now to this one-minute podcast to find out why it had the smallest American audience in Olympic history.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apple wedding rings, winter weather alerts, rugged phone review
Rumors are swirling about Apple’s new wedding rings that will sniff out a cheater. We’ve got the facts. Plus, with severe weather conditions peaking around the country, here are the best ways to stay up to date. And in Ben’s weekly review, he tests out cellphones so tough you can literally drop them in acid.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Use a Nest thermostat? The temperature is rising
Texas and a few other states want customers to enroll their Nest and other smart thermostats in a program to help reduce power consumption. Texas was unprepared for this year’s record cold winter and they’re not ready for summer’s heatwave, either.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices