Avoiding Ruffled Feathers: Simple and Smart Safety & Tech Tips for Snowbirds

If you’re thinking about spending winter in a warmer climate this year, you’re not alone. According to the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, almost one million North American “snowbirds” plan to migrate south. But before these snowbirds can settle into their southern roosts, it’s important for them to secure their northern perches. Best tips include:

Security and Remote Monitoring – Before the bags are packed, you may want to investigate new products that put technology to work while you’re gone. For peace of mind, new services now remotely monitor and control your home’s security and thermostat from a smart phone or computer. You can remotely arm or disarm the alarm system, control lighting, household appliances, and the thermostat – which can save money on utility bills. With connected cameras you can monitor the home from anywhere in the world – even receive instant text messages when doors are opened or closed.

Telecommunications Services – David Gregg, new product journalist and senior editor, behindthebuy.com, shares the following advice on telephone, cable TV and internet services, “Instead of making two separate calls, check out www.cablemover.com for disconnecting your TV, phone and internet at your current home and re-connecting at your winter address. And it doesn’t matter if your cable service provider is different in each location. The best part is, once you are ready to return, you can use the same service again to reverse the process.”

Freshen up! – A dormant home will inevitably become stuffy. Keep it return-ready with a new type of air purifier that cleans the air and prevents the spread of allergens such as mold or mildew. Air purifiers with true HEPA Filters capture 99.9 percent of particles and impurities. Put the unit on a timer and your air purifier automatically senses air quality levels, neutralizes viruses/bacteria keeping your indoor air clean.

Don’t Forget the Basics – Gizmos are great but remember to turn off your refrigerator, or turn it down to the lowest setting and unplug your electronics. For those items that can’t be unplugged, be sure to use a surge protector. Consider new devices that power down appliances and tech devices that consume phantom power – power you continue to use even after you hit the off button -- saving you money on your electric bill.