Don’t let the Grinch or any other holiday crook spoil your holiday festivities. As break-ins and robberies spike during the holiday season, it’s important to keep your home and family safe with these 7 tips.

Always Lock Up. According to the FBI 28% of burglars don’t use forced entry to access a home – they simply walk through the door or climb through a window. Ensure your locks are in working condition and are being locked – even when you’re home!

 

Strengthen Your Doors. Department of Justice statistics show that 73% of forcible entries involve damage to the door. Do everything you can to give your door a fighting chance, install a strong deadbolt that's at least 1 inch long. You can also add a solid-brass strike plate secured with 3-inch screws that go all the way into the studs.

 

Advertise Your Alarm. Whether you pay for monthly alarm monitoring or you have a self-monitored alarm solution, invest in a sign for your front yard and stickers for your windows to alert potential burglars that your home is protected. These can be purchased inexpensively at your local hardware store. Remember, the end goal is to make your home look harder to get into than your neighbor’s.

 

Don’t Facebook Your Travels. No matter how excited you are to go on holiday, visit your family or have an all-day outing resist the temptation to post about it on social networks. Regardless if you have 10 close friends or 5,000 acquaintances, posting your absence on social networks is an easy way for criminals to know your home is open for the taking. Rather, take a great photo and share with your followers once you’re home safe and sound.

 

Guard Your Garage. Many people forget to secure their garage, especially if there are no valuables in it. However, criminals will often look in your garage for tools they can use to enter your house – hammers, ladders, spare keys even. Protect your garage like you would your front door with a deadbolt that offers the highest grade of residential security.

 

Time Your Lights. The holidays are hectic and often you’re running from one thing to the next. Do yourself a favor and put a timer on your lights. The Schlage Home Dimmer Module can be used with Nexia™ Home Intelligence to monitor and control your lights remotely. This comes in handy when the holiday hustle and bustle hits.

 

Monitor Mail and Ads. If you’re traveling have someone check your doors and mailbox for "advertisements" and mail. It’s not uncommon for burglars to leave a piece and see how long it remains there as a gauge and then proceed with their plans. Sometimes they make their own ads to put on doors and check the duration of when it was placed and if it has not been removed.

 

For more information on keeping your home safe and secure vist us on schlage.com where we have tons of information on products  and tips that will keep your home protected.

Laura W.

Social Media Brand Marketing

Moving is one of the most stressful times in a person's life. Make your move a little easier with these Moving Tips featured on schlage.com. As a new homeowner, not knowing who has keys or access to the home you just purchased is unnerving. Inevitably, one of the first changes you’ll make to your home is new locks. Keeping your family safe in their new home is as important as the home itself.
 

Your first line of defense

Replacing existing locks with Schlage door locks and maximum-security deadbolts is the first step you can take to ensure your new home’s security.

Your new home deserves the latest technology

Installing Nexia™ Home Intelligence gives you the latest in home automation technology. Start with a Nexia Security Bundle, and build your system from there. Access your home from anywhere with Z-Wave technology – lock and unlock doors, turn on and off Z-Wave enabled lights, control your thermostat, and more.

 

7-Step Moving Checklist

Review our security checklist before and after you move to protect your home and family. Contact your local police department for a crime profile of your new neighborhood.

1. Before you move, take your family to visit your new home and neighborhood.
2. Change all of the locks as soon as possible. For the best in home security, install Schlage deadboltsand front entry handlesets.
3. If the house has a burglar alarm, change the access codes immediately and notify any alarm service of the new ownership.
4. Tour your new home and property and look for weak links in your home's defenses such as missing deadbolts on exterior doors, flimsy door and window locks and lack of outdoor lighting. Every entry door should have a Schlage deadbolt, including the door linking your garage and house.
5. Consider your perimeter security. Walk around your yard at different times of the day to judge lighting and shadows. Think about how you will enter and exit the home from different doorways.
6. Find out the phone numbers and locations of the emergency services that serve your area.
7. When you move in, join your local Neighborhood Watch.

 

Laura W.

Social Media Brand Marketing

Are you thinking of building a new home or in the process of working with a builder to create the sweet house you always dreamed of having? Building a new home can be quite a process, filled with paying close attention to big and small details. The options are often times endless, and in many cases it can be a rather stressful situation. We want to help shed a little light on the door hardware selection process and hopefully make it a little easier for you to find something that looks great, complements your new home's style and most importantly keeps your family protected and feeling secure.

 

We pulled our top hardware selection tips from our website and brought them to you here!

You’ve invested a lot into your new home – but protecting your family is the most important investment you’ll make. Our high security deadbolts are your first line of defense. While Nexia™ Home Intelligence puts your home in the palm of your hand with remote access that keeps your family safe and your home secure. When it comes to the security of your new home, whether it's a keyless door lock, an impression-making handleset or easy home automation security there’s a Schlage for you.

Schlage makes decisions easier with a range of design and finish options that perfectly complement your new home’s style.

For finishes, you will want to look to our door locks with a satin nickel finish when designing your modern, stainless steel kitchen. Or consider Schlage’s aged bronze finish knobs for interior bedroom doors that need a more traditional feel.

 

Part of the beauty of building your own home is that you get to bring your unique sense of style to the space. Our new Decorative Collections hardware line allows you to truly customize your decorative door knobs and levers at an affordable price without sacrificing highest quality of residential security. Because, let's face it - if it doesn't keep the bad guys out, then it doesn't really matter how pretty or fashionable your lock is.

Schlage’s products not only make a great first impression at the front door, but also feature the lasting beauty of Schlage's Finish Warranty. Schlage has built a legacy of providing the highest level of security to homes and businesses. Install a Schlage, and you install nearly a century of total dedication to security, quality and innovation.

 

Feel free to drop by our Schlage Facebook page and tell us about the home your building or let us know if you have any questions we can help answer for you!

 

Laura W.

Social Media Brand Marketing

It seems just like yesterday the school bell rang on the last day and kids were running free toward their summer vacation with smiles on their faces. My, my how time flies when you're having fun!

Whether you love it or hate it, eventually everyone has to go back to school. Look on the bright side though! As the new school year approaches, it's a great time to step back and spend a little time getting organized and re-engage those trusty routines -- maybe even give them a facelift! As we learned in school, there is a smart way of doing things and hard way of doing things. The goal is always to work smarter and not harder. This is where Nexia Home Intelligence comes in!

 

(Are you breathing a sigh of relief? It's okay, we did too.)

 

Just for you, we've put together 4 ways home automation technology can help you kick those tired weekday routines to the curb and make going back to school easier for everyone in the family.

Wakey, Wakey

The old routine: Yelling at the kids to get out of bed when it's still dark outside.

 

The new (smarter) routine: Schedule light dimmers to turn on 30 minutes before it's actually time to get up. Schedule the light level to increase with every 8-10 minutes until the room is fully lit. The wake-up experience will be much more enjoyable for all and ensure our precious students wake up on the right side of the bed.

Off to School

The old routine: Everyone scurries around the house in hopes to make it out on time, but the family fails to turn off all the lights and appliances which leads to wasted money on the energy bill.

 

The new (smarter) routine: Program all lights and appliances to turn off via light modules and appliance modules when an access code is entered to the Schlageelectronic keypad lock. You can also program the internet enabled thermostat to be raised or lowered depending on the season when the code is entered into the lock. The actions will not only save you some serious cash on your electric bill, but will give the whole family peace of mind as worries of powered coffee makers, curling irons and TVs are dissolved.

School's Out!

The old routine: Let's face it. Many parents work full time nowadays and can't be at home at 3pm to welcome their children after school lets out. And whether your child comes home right after school or if they participate in extra-curricular activities, you want to know when they're safe and sound at home. However, unless they remember to call you or text you (if they have a cell phone), you won't know for sure until you get home from work. 

 

The new (smarter) routine: Give each child their own lock access code to get into the house. When the code is entered into the Schlage keypad lock, a text notification gets sent to you notifying you that the child has arrived and is in the house. Because this text notification confirms their actual presence at the house, versus a text from a cell phone that could be sent from anywhere, it gives you added peace of mind.

Homework Helper

The old routine: Kids say they've been working on their homework all afternoon when in fact they've been playing video games, watching TV or playing outside.

 

The new (smarter) routine: Once you have confirmed the kiddos are at home, you can tap into the live camera feed via the indoor wireless cameras to ensure they are completing the activities you outlined for them. For example, if you've instructed them to have an hour break then proceed with their homework you can use the cameras to double check the homework is actually being done. Aside from being loyal homework helpers, the cameras can help you feel more connected to your child even while away. These wireless cameras are particularly great for traveling parents or parents that have to spend a lot of time at the office.

We'd love to hear from you! What are your tips and tricks for getting through the Back to School transition? Write a comment or tell us on Facebook!

- Laura W.

Social Media Brand Marketing

From Gold Medal Olympians to Schlage Grade 1 Deadbolts, we are constantly reminded there is a certain beauty that can be found in strength. The hours olympians spend training, the sacrifices they make each day to perfect their talent and the strong mental attitude they cultivate is what makes them both successful and beautiful. The same rigorous concepts and high standards apply to creating and perfecting the Schlage Grade 1 deadbolt,Decorative Collections and Electronic Keypad Locks.

 

We went straight to the source to get the inside scoop on how Schlage products are tested, developed and perfected. Bill Dorner, Manager of Global Reliability & Compliance Testing, is as passionate about the Olympics as he is about Schlage product quality and he had some excellent insights on how the testing of our premium home security products compares to the training of Olympians.

 

Like weightlifters, Schlage locks demonstrate Strength. Our products are subjected to pushing forces, pulling forces, and twisting torques not only during development, but also during regular BHMA certification tests, and even Ongoing Reliability Tests (ORT) in the factory. This way Schlage assures that its products maintain peak performance, just like a highly trained athlete.

Like marathon runners, Schlage locks demonstrate Endurance. Residential locks are designed to exceed 400,000 cycles for Grade 2 or 200,000 cycles for Grade 3.Residential deadbolts can exceed 100,000 cycles for Grade 3 all the way up to 250,000 cycles and beyond for Grade 1. By designing and monitoring our products for cycle endurance, Schlage assures customer satisfaction for the long haul.

Like all Olympic athletes, Schlage locks must perform regardless of Adverse Conditions. Product finishes are proven to resist exposure to corrosive salt fog, sunlight, condensation, abrasion, and even harsh chemicals. Schlage’s electronic products are tested under extreme environmental conditions, and, like an Olympian, they persevere and perform.

While Schlage has been 'training' for over 90 years, we continue to look for ways we can improve our design, function and service. And we'd love your feedback! To share your story or give your feedback! Comment below!

- Laura W.

Social Media Brand Marketing

Don't let summertime equal more crime!

(ARA) - You may be wishing for sandy beaches or a mountain getaway about now. As Americans make plans to escape for a few days this summer, criminals view these vacations as a season of opportunity.

Crime doesn't take a vacation. In fact, it surges during the summer. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports an overwhelming 10 percent increase in crime overall, with an 18 percent increase of home break-ins during the summer. So what can you do to protect your home? Here are a few quick and inexpensive tips to keep your family safe.

1. Install a first line of defense for your home

Most homes are targeted by a simple selection process. A burglar chooses a home with easy access, excellent cover and good escape routes. But they will usually bypass a home if it requires too much effort or poses too much risk, such as a home security system with audible siren or horn. Security systems can be pricey and invasive. However, Schlage's Alarmed Lock is an affordable first line of defense for your home. An alarm sounds the moment there is activity at the door. Specifically engineered to detect vibration and motion at first contact, this alarmed lock gives homeowners peace of mind right at the front or back door. For more information on Alarmed Lock, visit alarm.schlage.com .

2. Don't let your home be an easy target.

Burglars are most likely to break in when it is clear a homeowner is away. Interior and exterior lighting is necessary to show signs of activity. Installing a system that allows you to control lighting while you're traveling is a great way to deter a break-in. Nexia Home Intelligence helps homeowners control not only their lights but also locks, video cameras, Trane ComfortLink II thermostat control, shades and more, all from a Web-enabled laptop, smartphone or tablet.

3. Get to know your neighbors

Neighbors can be your eyes and ears when you're not around. Agree to keep an eye on each others' homes. While on vacation, have them pick up mail, newspapers, packages and trash. Communicating with your neighbors is a simple way to prevent a burglar targeting your home due to inactivity. So don't be shy - they will appreciate the extra safety, too.

4. Get involved in anti-crime efforts

Beyond just getting to know your next-door neighbor, you can actually band together to protect the entire neighborhood in a more active way. As America's most trusted name in security, Schlage has teamed up with the Neighborhood Watch program to support their like-minded desire to protect America's neighborhoods. Schlage has donated 400 Alarmed Locks in a 40-city safety blitz to mark the Neighborhood Watch's 40th anniversary.
"Celebrating this way is just one of the ways to further remind citizens about the power of watch groups," says Chris Tutko, director of National Neighborhood Watch - USAonWatch and a former chief of police. "Thanks to Schlage for partnering with us to get the word out about home safety."

For more information on NSA programs and Neighborhood Watch visit www.usaonwatch.org and www.sheriffs.org .

5. Don't leave behind keys

It's tempting to leave keys behind for relatives or friends while you're out of town but that fake rock you bought doesn't fool anyone, especially the burglar. Leaving a hidden key is essentially extending an invitation to burglars. Don't be so hospitable. Install a keypad lock instead of the usual deadbolt, like Schlage's Electronic Keypad. This keyless device allows homeowners to use codes to get in and out. You can change the code multiple times to customize it for anyone who needs to stop by while you are out including contractors, delivery people, cleaning services and pet sitters. The Electronic Keypad is an inexpensive, simple to install solution to keeping your home safe.

Following these easy and affordable steps will give you peace of mind for you and your family during the warm summer months and allow you to truly leave your worries at the door while you are gone.

So you think door hardware is only made to be put on doors? Think again, friends. Door hardware is making a presence in the most unique ways these days. Not only is it decorative coming in various shapes, sizes and styles, it's highly versatile and often times incredibly functional as well.

 

The best part about using door hardware for various creative projects is that you often times don't need to buy anything new. You can use old, broken or dated hardware you have laying around your (or a willing friend's) garage. Or better yet, use your projects as an opportunity to replace and upgrade some of the old hardware in your home. Think of it as a win-win -- add a little value to your home with the new upgraded hardware and compile a collection of matching door hardware that is at your creative disposal.

 

Now that you have all this great hardware to work with, here are a few project ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Accent Garage Doors with Traditional Door Hardware

Southern Living transforms everyday garage doors with Schlage door handlesetsto create a charming and stylish welcome for all who enter your driveway.

 

You'll notice that the handlesets pop off the garage door with the use of contrasting colors. For light colored garage doors, use a darker hardware finish like a Matte Black or Aged Bronze. For darker doors, use lighter hardware like Satin Nickel or Bright Chrome.

 

Want to see all the garage makeovers? Read more here.

Fill Apothecary Jars with Interesting Door Knobs

This idea came from Suzanne Duda. She reminds us that sometimes some of the most visually interesting pieces are often times very simple -- like a collection of unexpected items (door knobs) in a glass jar. It feels both eclectic and whimsical.

 

If you do not have a collection of unique door knobs, you can always spray paint the ones you do have in contrasting or coordinating colors for a striking visual effect. A jar of brightly painted knobs and levers would look just as interesting as a collection of vintage pieces.

 

Create a Jewelry Organizer from Old Hardware

We all know how annoying it can be to try and organize all of our accessories. With different shapes and sizes it can be a challenge at times.Well this challenge has been accepted! Liz Marie Blog shows you how to take old unused hardware and put it to good use in the form of an artful jewelry organizer.

 

The great thing about this project is that you can use ALL kinds of hardware. Don't limit yourself to just one type. Consider using door knobs, drawer pulls, door knockers, hooks, levers, etc. And if you feel that all your pieces look too similar (or not similar enough) try spray-painting them in contrasting or coordinating colors depending on the type of look you're trying to achieve. Painting the hardware in different shades of the same color would make a statement while looking very buttoned up in a monochromatic way.

So whether you're looking for an excuse to upgrade your home's hardware or just looking for some inspiration on how to use that old worn-out hardware, the important thing to remember is to think outside the door! How do you use your old door hardware? We'd love to hear your ideas and see pictures!

 

Don't forget to follow us on Pinterest and Facebook for more upcycled hardware ideas!

Laura W.

Social Media Brand Marketing

 

Holy electricity!

 

Did you know our nation could power nearly 243,000 homes for a month with just 60 minutes of our computer consumption! The infographic below found on cleantechnica.com depicts the amount of energy 4 of the most popular home appliances and electronics consume in an hour on a national level and what that energy could be used to power.

 

It's really pretty astonishing to think of the impact these appliances collectively have on our energy supply and national consumption. I'm the first to admit that when people talk about 'going green' and 'making a difference,' I am a bit skeptical. I question if my decision to unplug my phone charger when not in use, or my recent vow to recycle all cans really makes a difference. To me, this infographic is inspiring. It confirms that even the smallest actions, like unplugging a device for just 60 minutes, can and do make an impact at a broader scale. 

 

So in addition to turning off appliances, unplugging electronics when not in use and choosing to open the windows instead of kicking on the air conditioning, another easy and manageable energy-saving action is to use Nexia Home Intelligence to monitor and control your thermostat from anywhere using your smart phone, tablet or PC. How does this work, you ask? It's easy. You can use it several ways, but the most common ways of using it to manage your energy are the following:

- When you're away from home (like at work or on vacation) check on your home's temperature and adjust if necessary to ensure you're not spending your hard earned dollars on heating or cooling your home when no one is there.

 

- You can also turn off your heating or cooling completely when you're away, then upon your return open the app on your phone and set the thermostat to the desired temperature. This way you still have the comfort of a properly heated or cooled home, but none of the wasted cost while away.

Check out the infographic below to see how much energy your appliances are consuming! And remember that even that smallest actions can make an impact -- imagine the impact that we could make if everyone in the nation unplugged 1 device for 1 hour each day. Who's up to the challenge?

 

Don't forget to tell us what you're doing to save energy on Facebook at facebook.com/nexiahome.

- Laura W.

Social Media Brand Marketing

Saving energy is a major concern for many folks these days. Whether you are fed up with a steep utility bill every month, or you genuinely care about reducing your energy consumption, there are measures you can take save energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, typically, 43% of your utility bill is consumed by your heating and cooling systems. Check out some easy heating and cooling energy saving tips from the U.S. Department of Energy:

Heating and Cooling Tips

• Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer.
• Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed.
• Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
• Bleed trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; if in doubt about how to perform this task, call a professional.
• Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.
• Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.
• During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
• During the cooling season, keep the window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain.

Looking for more energy saving tips? Visit nexiahome.com to learn how Nexia Home Intelligence can help you increase your energy efficiency and save money on your utilities bill.

 

- Omri E.

Connected Home Solutions Marketing

We know buying door hardware can be confusing... 

Will it fit on my door?
Will it match the other finishes in my house?
Do I want to carry around a key or have a keypad?
Do I need a deadbolt or just a keyed entry lock?

These commonly asked questions could be just a few that are swarming through your head when in the hardware aisle at your local home improvement store. In an effort to make your life (and shopping trip) a bit easier, we've put together a Schlage Buying Guide that will help you find the best and most appropriate door lock for your door. 

The Schlage Buying Guide makes it easy for you to find the right lock by answering 3 simple questions. 

1. First things first, you need to choose your door type. You need to consider if the door you're buying for is an interior or exterior door. Then consider its location in the house and what the room is used for. 

2. Secondly, pick out the function of your lock. Does it need to have a built-in alarm, have a keyed entry, be a deadbolt? 

3. And lastly, choose the finish and design that complements your style and decor. Schlage has a wide range of finishes to choose from to accommodate many different looks.

Below you'll find the full Schlage Buying Guide -- happy lock shopping!

For more information visit schlage.com. 

 

 

 

 

- Laura W. 
Social Media Brand Marketing