Chirping fire alarms and other “home annoyances”

Do you know those people who can fall asleep anywhere? Well, I’m not one of them. I really value my sleep and so often I am kept awake by “home annoyances”. We live in a rather old house so at night I hear creaking stairs, a toilet that all of a sudden decides to run, a dripping kitchen faucet and  this really loud clock I have. It was like one of those old movies where the ticking just got louder and louder as I tossed and turned or like the tell-tale heart beating in an Edgar Allen Poe tale! I finally wised up and got non-ticking clocks.

Another “home annoyance” are smoke alarms that chirp at night or at random times.  In a recent study done by Kidde, homeowners said that although they were aggravated by these smoke alarms, they didn’t see them as the potentially life-threatening safety risk that they actually are.

In fact, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics indicate that the primary reasons smoke alarms fail to operate in home fires are a missing or disconnected battery (50%) and a dead or discharged battery (23%).

Sometimes people take out the batteries to stop the chirping and while they mean to replace them, they forget when they awaken or in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. But, that chirping is telling you that your batteries need to be replaced asap to keep your home and family safe.

This fall, Kidde is launching a great line of Worry-Free Smoke Alarms for your home. These are super-smart and easy to install and there are four models designed with features for different rooms within a home: bedroom, kitchen, hallway and living area.

Kidde Worry-Free Alarms are the only UL listed alarms containing a photoelectric smoke sensor programmed to reduce nuisance alarms caused by such things as burnt toast.

The new alarms are powered by sealed-in, long-life lithium batteries for 10 years which is the life of the alarm so you don’t have to worry about them at all! They’re on alert 24/7. Worry-free, maintenance-free, completely hassle-free! This is something I completely support. In fact, I am currently working on changing all my alarms to Kidde Worry-Free Alarms.

A home fire is reported every 85 seconds in the US. Help prevent tragedy and give your family the most possible time to respond by checking and replacing your home smoke alarms today. Stay safe!

The Kidde Worry Free Smoke Alarms will be available at select home improvement stores and other retailers in early November 2012. Suggested retail prices range from $25 to $50.

You can read more at the Kidde website.

Kidde would like to offer one of my readers a 2-pack of Kidde Worry-Free smoke alarms ($65 ARV). You will receive a hallway and a bedroom alarm.

Just enter via Rafflecopter below. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was provided a sample of this product to facilitate my review however all opinions are strictly my own.  

Chloe Jacobs is a native of both nowhere and everywhere, having jumped around  practically every Province of Canada before finally settling in Ontario where she has now been living for a good number of years. Her husband and son are the two most wonderful people in the entire world, but they also make her wish she at least had a female cat. No such luck. Although the day job keeps her busy, she carves out as much time as possible to write. Bringing new characters to life and finding out what makes them tick and also just how badly she can make them suffer is one of her greatest pleasures – almost better than chocolate and her fuzzy pink bunny slippers.

The things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand. They are the moments when we touch one another, when we are there in the most attentive or caring way.
~Jack Kornfield

Eco-friendly Health and Wellness

Some good news from one of my favorite companies and the one I trust most for Omega-3 supplements that are healthy and pure.

Nordic Naturals, the leading manufacturer of omega-3 supplements, has announced the launch of its mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android users. The Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Essentials app offers easy access to the company’s full range of award-winning products.

Features of the new app, which is available free to Apple and Android mobile device users, include the ability to order products online or find a retail store. The “Daily Omega Reminder” allows users to set daily prompts for taking their omega-3s and monthly reminders to reorder products. Information on the wide-ranging benefits of omega-3 essential fatty acids is available to educate consumers and help them select the right product to meet their personalized nutritional needs.

“Nordic Naturals is an omega-3 industry leader,” said Joar Opheim, CEO and founder of Nordic Naturals. “We are pleased to lead the way in offering the convenience of a mobile app to consumers.”

App users will be among the first to be notified about product launches, emerging research about omega-3s, and store-specific sales and promotions.

The Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Essentials app also answers the question, “Why Nordic Naturals?” App users can learn about the company’s patented manufacturing processes, independent testing, and participation in ongoing research. The app will also help consumers understand the qualities that distinguish Nordic Naturals products, including proven purity, exceptional freshness, great taste, and superior triglyceride form.

“We’re dedicated to making a difference,” Opheim said. “From the way we source our raw materials, to the way we process our oils, to our charitable donation programs – we are guided by our goal of seeing generations of healthier, happier people around the world.”

Based in Watsonville, CA, Nordic Naturals is committed to delivering the world’s safest, most effective omega oils to help provide the essentials of an extraordinary life. Distributing to more than 35 countries, Nordic Naturals offers more than 150 products in a variety of flavors and formulations, all in line with leading standards for safety, efficacy and sustainability. By providing omega oil supplements for adults,kids, athletes and pets, Nordic Naturals helps everyone do more of what they love.

Further information is available at www.nordicnaturals.com. Nordic Naturals is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nordicnaturals and you can follow them on Twitter at @NordicNaturals.

It’s very close to holiday time and many of us are shopping online. I know that I love all the Cybermonday sales!

These days so much of our lives is online: transactions, purchases, money transfers, banking, bill paying and more. So much of our personal information is shared. I worry about this because I have had my account hacked on auction sites as well as people using my credit card number (while I had the card) to purchase hunting knives in Alaska. And, imagine that awful feeling when you get home and realize you don’t have your wallet with everything in it including your license.

Some of my friends have had all their information stolen from their license number to all their credit cards. Identity theft is scary and an incredible hassle!

As part of my organization initiative (yes, I’ve started one out of necessity), and my desire to have peace of mind, I am happy to be signed up with Lifelock. LifeLock is the leader in the world of identity theft protection and information, providing customers with top of the line identity theft protection with services backed by state-of-the-art technology.

LifeLock provides extremely useful information on all aspects of identity theft and threats to help in its prevention. I was surprised at how much protection they offer and how many tips they have that I’d never even considered. Also, I was surprised at how easy it was to sign up, took me only a few minutes, and I am now inputting all my data so it can be safeguarded.

 I believe the price to be very reasonable for what is offered and there is no doubt in my mind that I will sleep better at night, which of course is priceless.

 To get you ready for the holiday season, Lifelock is offering one lucky reader of Strange Daze Indeed a full year’s membership to their service.

Your LifeLock membership will include:

• Alerts of potential threats–both credit and noncredit related 
• Online access to a personalized dashboard showing current threats
• Relentless monitoring for exposure of your personal information 
• Member services with local phone support—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year 
• Stolen or lost wallet remediation services to help cancel and replace credit and debit cards
• Comprehensive recovery services if you become a victim of identity theft on our watch. 

So, if you’d love a membership and some peace of mind, please enter to win via Rafflecopter below or sign up with Lifelock now. Happy Holidays!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was provided a membership to facilitate this review however all opinions are strictly my own.

iPad Mini Holiday Event

Free Blog Event! Sign-up here, BLOGGERS WANTED

 

This looks to be a great holiday event. If you sign up, please mention that Strange Daze Indeed referred you. Thanks!

Secrets of the Red Box
Bonnie has secrets to keep – secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense – sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

Author Vickie Hall

Vickie is a native of Utah, but growing up, lived in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska. When she’s not writing, she’s composing music, or shopping with her sister. She loves animals of all kinds and camping with her family. Her favorite pastime is watching old movies on TCM, and unashamedly has a crush on Cary Grant.

Praise for Secrets of the Red Box:

Amazing book! Wow, it caught me from the first paragraph. What detail, mystery and suspense. Loved the main character, Bonnie, so relatable. Vicki is an amazing writer. I wish she would write more books!!!
~Amazon Review

Secrets of the Red Box is a great read! Whether you’re looking for a book with an intriguing and unusual plot, or a story of how life’s choices effect the rest of your life, you will love this book!
~Amazon Review

Blog Tour:
Be sure to check out the blog tour for the chance to win an additional $25 Gift Card.

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Tour Schedule

Book Blast Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Card or $50 PayPal Cash from Author Vickie Hall
Ends 11/25/12
*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it for the first person you follow and leave the others blank.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent’s permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

It seems to me time has been flying and it’s almost time to “fall back” and change our clocks back from Daylight Saving Time. This year the time change is official on November 4 at 2 am.

This also marks the 25^th anniversary of the annual Change Your Clock Change Your Battery^® program which I very strongly believe in and encourage! 

Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) are once again working with local fire departments nationwide to raise awareness on the importance of working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in helping to keep families safe in their homes.  

Did you know that:

Cal Ripken Jr. helping neighborhood fire officials in Chicago distribute Family Safety Kits

Energizer is honoring its 25^th year by donating 250,000 batteries to fire departments across the country to distribute to local families in their areas and adopting 25 fire departments in 25 cities across the nation, who, in addition to batteries, will be equipped with a variety of Energizer_® family safety products for their department and to share in their communities. Together, they will host Home Safety Days and neighborhood canvasses spanning throughout National Fire Prevention Month in October until the end of daylight saving time on Sunday, Nov. 4. 

Win a Family Safety Kit from Energizer on Facebook!

Now, through the end of the day November 4, visit the Energizer Bunny^® Facebook page and click on the Fire Safety Info Tab.  Here you will have the chance to enter a sweepstakes to win a Family Safety Kit. In addition you can find fire safety tips, a home escape plan that you can download and draw your family’s home escape plan, as well as a coloring and activity sheet.

Win your very own Family Safety Kit from Energizer right here also!

Energizer is also offering one lucky Strange Daze Indeed reader a Family Safety Kit complete with a reusable grocery tote containing:

·         One 2-pack of Energizer_® MAX_® Batteries (9v) with Power Seal Technology – Dependable, powerful performance for the devices that help keep your family safe; now hold their charge when stored for up to 5 years 

·         One Energizer_® Flameless Wax Candle – Enjoy the realistic flicker of a scented wax candle without the worry of open flame or hassle of soot and dripping wax

·         One Energizer_® Weatheready^® Safety Light – Waterproof flashlight powered by AA, AAA or C cell batteries; includes safety whistle and imprinted preparedness checklist

·         One Kidde Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm

The total value of the Family Safety Kit is approximately $78. 

Just follow the Rafflecopter below and best of luck!


Energizer would love you to start a new tradition in your home. Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when you set your clocks back – keep your family safe!



*Statistics provided by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was provided a Family Safety Kit however all opinions and thoughts expressed are strictly my own.