Jasco Blog

Storms can strike at any time of year. But winter storms, with their higher probability of power outages, can be one of the most stressful to experience. This emergency preparedness guide will help you be ready for any winter storm or emergency situation that arises by helping you plan as though you've found yourself in the midst of a zombie attack.

Whether it's a snowstorm or the zombie apocalypse, being prepared to be stranded with no power and very little possibility to venture outside requires a surprisingly similar set of basic supplies. Read on to learn what you need to be storm (or zombie) prepared:

Check out these ideas from our friends at Houzz to help you refresh the kitchen space without splurging on a whole new kitchen.

Investing in a new kitchen can be costly and involves an awful lot of upheaval. Instead of embarking on a huge project, consider these snappy ideas and indulge in a little low-stress kitchen refreshment.

At this point, you have seen or at least heard of voice activated virtual assistants somewhere online or from a friend. These devices have been around since 2014 and have continued to rise in popularity and are quickly becoming a device that you will find in most homes. The major players in the voice activated virtual assistant space are Google’s Home Assistant and Amazon’s Echo, Echo Dot and most recently, the Echo Plus, which has a built-in hub that seamlessly connects and controls ZigBee smart devices.

I will not be comparing the Amazon Echo Devices or Google Home Assistant and recommending one over the other. If you know you want to add one to your home and are trying to decide on a specific device, check out this article for some insight on which device is best for you.

This particular post is simply to further inform you of voice activated virtual assistants and how they function as well as some ways you can use virtual assistants in your day-to-day to make life a little easier.

Whether you call them outdoor string lights, party lights, bistro lights, globe lights, or specifically Enbrighten Cafe Lights (our personal favorite), it’s clear that cafe string lights are very trendy right now. They add a touch of magic to any space and you’d be hard pressed to find a patio (or reading nook, home theater, or garden) that couldn’t be improved by the glow of beautiful cafe string lights.

If you’ve been considering adding cafe lights to your space but still have questions, we have all the answers to your questions in this cafe lights Q&A session!

Energy bills can add up to outrageous costs. Fortunately, reducing your energy usage isn’t as difficult (or expensive) as you may think. By installing smart technology, turning off or dimming lights and cutting the cord, you can easily reduce your energy bills and save some green! 

Some people can’t relax and enjoy themselves while on vacation because they're too worried about their house. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, you should always make sure your house is completely secure when you leave for a vacation. However, once you’ve made it to your final destination, that's the time to leave your worries behind and enjoy yourself!

Whether your trip is a simple weekend getaway to the lake or a month-long tour of Europe, take these additional precautions so you can enjoy vacation and not worry about your house while you're away.

Home improvement projects can be intimidating. You see this great idea on Pinterest. It’s going to change your whole world. You have every intention of getting started. But then you see how many tools and skills are needed to complete this project, so you decide to put it off. You tell yourself that maybe after you do more research on the topic, it won’t seem so difficult. Maybe...

Extension cords are not something you normally find yourself thinking about or even researching online. When you think about extension cords, usually what comes to mind are solid colors (usually in brown, black or white), light and flimsy or bulky heavy duty cords that all get tangled and get in the way. 

Well now it’s time to change the way you think about extension cords with Cordinate Designer Extension Cords.

I have learned it is wise to be prepared for the inevitable curveballs that life throws us. Each of us has our own way of preparing for predictable issues, such as keeping a stocked first-aid kit handy, having extra replacement light bulbs for the home, keeping an emergency tool kit in our vehicles, or having a spare umbrella thoughtfully tucked away for those random rainy days.

One thing I know for sure is that in darkness there will always be a need for light. For this reason, I personally keep an EcoSurvivor LED Lantern stashed away in a place that is convenient and quickly accessible.

Most people think timers are primarily used for switching on their decorative holiday lights during Christmas time, which is still a fine use of these tried and true devices. However, whether it's a digital indoor plug-in timer, a durable outdoor timer, or a simple mechanical timer, there are countless ways that timers can be used to make your life more efficient, more secure and more pleasant–no fancy smart home systems required. 

Last week, we listed 6 easy things you can do with a timer around your home. Here are 6 MORE things you can do with a timer to make your life just a little bit easier.