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Crime’s an inevitability in any city, but it doesn’t have to be something you just sit and wait around for. There are numerous ways to ensure your property is safe from potential thieves, some using technology or tools and other methods just relying on common sense and logic to ensure security.

Here are a few ways you can ensure you’re never leaving your belongings vulnerable to theft.

Lock up your belongings

Locking up your belongings, like locking your front door or car, is common sense. According to statistics, 30 percent of burglaries occur because of an unlocked door or window. However, many burglaries happen when people are out at work during the day and are done by those who live near the home or apartment.

Though we all want to trust our neighbors, they are often the most likely perpetrators of the crimes. Always be sure to lock up your valuables to ensure that no one else can easily access them while you’re away.

Use background checks

If you are ever having work done on your home, apartment, car or personal property, you can use free background checks to ensure that the individuals you’re hiring are safe and trusted professionals.

Some of these background checks aren’t free, so don’t feel like you need to shell out too much for a background check. But overall, this is a good way to discover if someone’s had any run-ins with the law.

If a background comes back clean but you’re still wary of hiring someone to spruce up your kitchen, check online reviews. Someone could be sketchy, but they may have evaded the law. Someone’s online reviews will be very telling if the professional is malicious (or even just hard to work with).

Checking online reviews is a great way for you to double check that you can trust the person you’ll be letting into your home.

Set up cameras

Another way you can ensure the safety of your belongings is by installing cameras and other electronic security measures to ensure your home’s safety. Most criminals can burgle a home in around 10 minutes, so use a motion sensing camera to catch the individual in the act. There are even applications that can sync your home camera with the cloud, in order to send you quick photo updates from the camera, so check ibi reviews to see if that’s feasible for you.

Zip up your bags, don’t use pockets

A smart way to avoid being pick-pocketed is to use bags with zippers instead of buttons or clasps in order to hold your valuables and to forego the use of a pocket unless it also zips up. This is because it’s much easier to slyly pick something out of someone’s bag or pocket if it already has a small opening.

Zippers require more work to open and could notify the theft victim quicker. You can also practice keeping the zipper as close to your front as possible to ensure visibility of the zipper at all times.

Don’t leave things out

Finally, to best protect your belongings from being burgled, you should not leave them out in the open unattended. If you’re at a coffee shop, for example, then don’t leave your purse and laptop sitting at the table while you run to the restroom.

If you’re at the bar, don’t leave your phone next to your drink while you shoot darts. Leaving your valuables unattended is the easiest way a thief could quickly snatch it while your back is turned.

A home is a place where all needs can be met to achieve a comfortable life. When one house feature becomes dysfunctional, the way of living is also affected. That is why it is essential to regularly check everything to identify what needs repair or replacement.

Although there are home repairs that are easy to handle, some need a professional hand to ensure the safety and efficiency of the parts being repaired to avoid further damages or losses. The help of an expert is required, especially if there is an urgency to make such repairs like broken water pipes or damaged doors. A professional not only does repairs, but they can also identify the real problem and provide solutions that ordinary people cannot do unless they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge like what experts possess. Leaving some house repairs to the professionals can save time and resources as well as eliminate the worries of possible consequences if such repairs are left undone.

Electrical wiring and connections

Faulty electrical wiring and loose connections pose not only a danger to the structure but also the lives of its occupants. Many home fires are caused by improper installation, poor maintenance, substandard electrical appliances, and irresponsible usage of electricity, and this occurrence may be prevented if specific measures are applied. Licensed electricians can give concrete advice and solutions for this problem since they are specialised in the electrical wiring of buildings, transmission lines, and other electrical infrastructures. Having them work on the defective or damaged electrical connections can save the house and its dwellers from potential danger.

Unclogging plumbing

When leaks and clogs are experienced at home, then there is a problem with the plumbing that only professional plumbers can resolve. The pipes, regulators and drains are essential for efficient water delivery and waste removal when using the sink, the toilet, and the shower areas.

Professional plumbers not only fix sink and toilet plumbing problems, but their work also ensures that the house is protected from water and plumbing related accidents like a pipe bursting. Their expertise in plumbing systems can provide diagnosis and inspection services as they always come with the necessary tools to quickly fix plumbing issues right then and there.

Gas appliance servicing

Another risky household problem that needs expert handling is the leakage and malfunctioning of gas appliances. Gas engineers are the usual professionals that attend to this matter since they are specialised in the repair, maintenance and installation of domestic and commercial gas appliances, including boiler repairs. These experts can address various gas safety concerns and assessment of the risks of unsafe gas appliances. They can carry out the cleaning, examining, and the testing of devices to ensure that everything is safe and working well.

Entrusting home repairs and services to experts is the most practical thing to avoid or prevent any untoward incident from happening. Just know who the ones are who can satisfactorily deliver the specific services needed to make your house safe from any harm.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Planning a summer party — whether it’s for the school, for the kids, or just for a group of friends — can be a little overwhelming. Not only that, but it’s easy to run out of ideas to make the party fun and exciting.

One of the best ways to keep the party going is by checking into dunk tank rental Long Island options to see if they fit the sort of party you’re hoping to throw. Keeping that in mind, read on below for a few things you need to know about renting a dunk tank for your next bash. 

What is a dunk tank?

A dunk tank is a stand which holds a lot of water that’s used as an attraction at fairs, fundraisers, and parties. The fun of a dunk tank is that you get to throw a ball at a target and if you hit that target, someone sitting on the plank inside that dunk tank will fall and splash into the water. 

Dunk tanks are extremely popular and the perfect way to hype up your next party. It’s been around for years, but proves itself over and over again to be the best part of many events, such as kids’ birthday parties, BBQ’s, fundraisers, and even school events. 

How much does it cost?

How much a dunk tank costs depends on a variety of things. Where you’re renting the tank from, and it’s size, shape, design, etc. all factor into the price. So do your research: as with anything else that you rent for a party, you’re going to get what you pay for.

Make sure to search for the best-quality product at the least expensive price. However, make sure that you never sacrifice the quality of the dunk tank for a cheaper price, because safety is a concern as well.

Safety tips

Even though dunk tanks are super fun, there are a few safety rules that you should follow to ensure your party doesn’t end in an accident or tragedy.  

• Always have an adult present when the dunk tank is in operation
• Never leave water in the dunk tank when it’s not in use
• Always supervise children who are in the dunk tank 
• Never operate a dunk tank during a thunderstorm
• Never kneel or stand on the platform

These are just a few of the biggest safety rules you should follow when using your dunk tank. There are many more, and you need to familiarize yourself with them before you use it for the first time. 

Reasons to rent a dunk tank 

There are quite a few reasons why people rent dunk tanks for their events. If you’ve considered renting one yourself, but you just aren’t sure yet, read on below for a few reasons why it’s a great idea:

It’s a popular summer attraction: Dunk tanks are in high demand as a summer attraction. They’re classic fair games, and anyone passing by will recognize that they can dunk the person sitting inside if their aim is on point. Who doesn’t want to dunk their high school biology teacher or their dad at their 10th birthday party?

It’s a way to beat the heat: In many states, the summer heat can be brutal. This is the perfect way for your dunkees to beat the heat and for your kids to have fun dunking them at the same time.

There’s no question that New York City is the city of dreams, excitement, and entertainment. While it provides so much, it can also be very isolating and intimidating, especially for people who are new arrivals. Urban loneliness is a real thing, and it can feel overwhelming if you don’t know how to combat it. The good news is that there are ways to get passed this and live your best life in the city. No matter what neighborhood you’re in, these tips and tricks will have you saying goodbye to loneliness. 

Get a hobby

People often bond over shared interests, and in the big city you’ll find plenty of opportunities to do so. If you already have a hobby, it won’t be too difficult to figure out what you’re looking for. Check out sites like Meetup, your local newspaper, or social media for weekly get-togethers revolving around your hobby. 

If you don’t have a hobby, there’s no time to get one like the present. You can peruse the same media channels for groups that catch your interest. Some great hobbies with lots of meet-up opportunities are photography, cooking, book clubs, and knitting.

Make social media your friend

You’re probably already pretty active on one social media channel or another, so, use it to your advantage. Almost every community has their own Facebook groups where people can chat about everything from favorite diners to best daycare centers. These groups are full of people just like you who want to reach out and make connections. Try to find the ones specific to your neighborhood or frequented areas. Get active and look for group outings or suggestions on where to hang out. 

Talk to a therapist

It’s never a bad idea to seek out counseling or therapy if your feelings of loneliness are overwhelming you. You can check online reviews for the best nyc therapists or ask people you know for recommendations. This can be a great way to work through any personal issues you might have and learn some coping skills in the process. Your therapist can also recommend support groups, which can help with those feelings of isolation.

Learn to cook

Here’s where those cooking classes come in handy. Eating out in NYC can be very expensive. Learning to cook can help you financially while also give you a relaxing way to enjoy your evenings at home. Take cooking classes, meet people, and invite them over for dinner where you’ll impress them with your skills in the kitchen.

Stay active

Most experts agree that physical activity is one of the biggest keys to maintaining good mental health. During exercise, our brains release endorphins and serotonin, the chemicals responsible for making us feel good. It also helps with memory retention, learning, and disease prevention, while, yes, being another great way to meet people. 

Embrace the commute

Let’s face it, even though you may feel lonely living among so many strangers, time to yourself can be a precious commodity. No matter what part of the city you live in, chances are you’re commuting somewhere on a regular basis. Instead of dreading the long periods of travel time, embrace it. Listen to podcasts, chat with your new social media groups, or read that long-anticipated novel. So many people fail to fill this “dead space” and end up bored and miserable, but if you change your mindset, you might truly learn to love it.

Eddie Hamid started his career in the financial sector straight out of college. Years in finance exposed him to the unique struggles of small companies looking for financing, especially those that are usually overlooked by bigger, conventional lenders. This is one of the reasons why he founded iAdvance Now, a financing company that focuses on helping small firms and startups get the funding they need. Based in New York, iAdvance Now is more than just a corporate lender. The company offers a complete package that supports small business, from lines of credit to cash and credit advances, invoice factoring, among other services.

Aside from being a busy entrepreneur, Eddie Hamid is also a leader who knows the value of health in and out of the workplace. Here he sits down with us to share a few insights on iAdvance Now and how he makes health a priority despite his busy lifestyle.

Do you actively encourage a healthy lifestyle among your employees?

I do. Health is the foundation on which everything else in your life rest, from your work to your social life and relationships. I encourage healthy living, moderation when it comes to work, and I make sure that we have programs that help employees cope with the stresses of the job.

What do you do to decompress and unwind?

I read. I’m an avid reader and I find that reading allows me to slow down and just be in the moment. Taking time to read is also a great way to clear my head and de-stress so I can tackle problems with fresh eyes an hour or two later.

What’s your take on taking work home?

I personally don’t encourage it. I leave work at the office as much as I can because I want my home life to be about my family. Sometimes, it is best to compartmentalize things like work and home life because you want to be fully present in either situation.

What’s a typical morning like for you?

I meditate after waking up, then go for a short run. After that, I might fix breakfast for the family before preparing for work. On busy days I usually move my workouts after office hours. I try to stay active during the day. Even on busy days, I try to sneak in a short run or a half-hour at the gym.

What’s your take on wellness programs at the office?

I think companies that value employee wellness benefit a lot from increased productivity and worker satisfaction. Whether it’s having a room for yoga or a small gym where employees can go for a quick workout, I think these are wise investments that will pay for themselves sooner rather than later. Healthy employees are happy employees, I’m a firm believer of that.

Get to know more about what iAdvance Now is doing to help small business by visiting iAdvanceNow.com.

Understanding your spending habits is important to creating a plan that will ensure you reach your financial goals. We all spend money for personal reasons, often times on a whim, and can easily end up with purchases we regret, and debt we can’t afford.

In the worst cases, mounting debt that you can’t repay will affect your credit score. A low credit score can hold you back, but Wonga offers a helpful guide to understand your options, along with tips to help you improve your credit score.

Find out what kind of spender you are with our list below:

Sentimental: You spend money on items that remind you of someone you love, someone you lost, or of a time that was special to you. You might indulge in retail therapy because it makes you feel good. These aren’t items you need, but items you want.

Sales: You can’t resist a bargain, and will always shop a sale. You see a reduced price tag as saving you money, even though it’s not really an item you would have bought at full price. You feel like you’re missing out if you don’t go into a sale.

Influenced: You’re taken in by a good marketing campaign, and seduced by the right words and pictures. If you’re shopping with friends and family, you’ll buy as much as they do, and are influenced by what they choose to buy.

Needs: You only buy something when you need it, and make a list each time you shop. You stick to your budget and don’t buy things you don’t need.

Whimsical: If you like something, you buy it. You don’t give much thought to the price tag – you can put it on your credit card. You’ll worry about paying it off later; right now you’re having fun.

Generous: You usually spend money on other people. You buy things you think they might like, or that you think would be good for them – no occasion necessary.

Online: You spend a lot online, and the click of a purchase gives you a rush. You enjoy looking for deals or bidding on online auctions. You don’t really keep tabs on how much you spend online.

Once you’ve identified your spending style above, ask yourself what your triggers are, and what can you do instead of shopping when you feel a certain way. Also, ask yourself what kind of spender you want to be.

Most people are a variety of the above, or might find themselves being particularly flighty or frugal at different times of the year. When it comes to reaching your financial goals, understanding what motivates you to spend and why can go a long way toward helping you control your spending, and reigning it in if needed.