Move over, winter holidays. Summer is a contender for the best time of the year. With incredible weather and longer days, you may want to kick back and enjoy your patio or outdoor living space or even complete some home maintenance.
(No one wants to clean out their gutters when they can also see their breath.)
That’s why our team put together this list of 10 summer home gifts to give yourself that will help you make the most of your longer, warmer days!
Shell-abrate your outdoor living space
Enjoy your outdoor living space with these easy and elegant exterior upgrades.
Outdoor waterproof area rug
You want to make your outdoor living space as comfortable as your indoor one, and the best way to do that is to add a rug. We know what our southeast homeowners are saying – “It rains here daily!” That’s why we chose SAFAVIEH Courtyard Collection’s indoor/outdoor waterproof patio rug. This beauty is stain-, weather-, and UV-resistant, and when you need to clean it, all you have to do is grab your garden hose and some soap!
This summer home gift is especially great for aging-at-home homeowners who want more traction on their patio or deck.
Wicker patio sofa set
Doesn’t your outdoor living space deserve a summer home gift upgrade? We recommend wicker patio furniture, like this 7-piece outdoor set. Enjoy elegant evenings or family dinners on your patio or deck, or entertain your neighbors with four single chairs, two corner chairs, and a tempered glass-top table.
Rain headed your way? This set comes with a protective cover that stretches over the entire seating area. Enjoying your patio a little too much? (There is no such thing!) Just throw the cushion covers into your washing machine and voila! All clean!
Compact countertop ice maker
If you like to entertain, then you know you can never have too much ice. Instead of making your refrigerator or freezer work overtime, pick up the Frigidaire compact countertop ice maker. This device puts Elsa to shame with the ability to make 26 pounds of ice per day with the first batch ready in less than nine minutes.
The device’s really cool design (pun intended) allows you to watch the ice being made, and you can easily distribute it with the included ice basket and scoop.
Get your getaway gear
We know you love your home, but sometimes, you just want to get away. Of course, that doesn’t mean you want to leave your home unprotected. Check out these three smart home tech devices to help keep your home safe while you’re out of town.
Smart plug power strip
Years ago, homeowners would set up timers for their lamps when they weren’t home. Today, you can simply plug your lamps or lights into a smart plug Wi-Fi surge protector. This device lets you turn on and off your lights (or other devices) from your phone, so you can make it look like you’re there when you’re not.
Plus, if you ever forgot to turn off a device, you can do so right from the palm of your hand.
Wi-Fi Auto-tracing security camera
When you’re lying on a beach thousands of miles away, you still can help prevent a burglary at your home with these security cameras with two-way audio. If someone breaks into your home, you’ll be alerted to their presence and be able to talk to them while also recording the break-in.
High wind, hail, squirrel infestation – so many things can happen while you’re away! A camera can also help you check in on your home. In the event of damage, you can either cut your trip short, call a neighbor, or at least prepare yourself for what you need to do when you return.
A home maintenance app with weather alerts
While you’re on that beach, a hurricane, tornado, or derecho storm may be barreling toward your home. A home maintenance app can help you prepare your home for your vacation with necessary home maintenance and fire safety tips. It can also help you to know when your home is in danger, so you can make the decision to call a trusted neighbor to check your property.
Join the vipHomeLink neighborhood today! Download this serious awesome summer home gift now.
Summer home safety items
A good summer is a safe summer, and these additions can help to keep your summer relaxed and chilled even when the weather or your home doesn’t cooperate.
A home generator
Summer storms can bring damaging wind, hail, and lighting. They can also bring power outages, which can put a damper on your summer relaxation mode. Consider buying a portable generator! This device can help keep the lights on – literally – and also save the food in your refrigerator (super important if you have medicine in there).
A generator can be dangerous when not used properly. We spoke with Brett Brenner, president of the Electrical Safety Foundation International, to learn how to safely use a generator following an extreme weather event.
Protective equipment for your home improvements
Unfortunately, home improvement projects come with some degree of danger. In 2019, more than 775,000 injuries were attributed to housework and home improvement projects, so keep yourself safe with the help of goggles and heavy-duty gloves. These goggles are the perfect summer home gift for eyeglass wearers with anti-fog technology, and these leather work gloves will support your wrists and help keep your hands abrasion-free!
First aid kit
From home projects to rowdy children to slips and falls, you never know when an accident will happen in your home. That’s why you need to have a fully stocked first-aid kit. This kit has all the essentials – band-aids, antiseptic towelettes, burn cream packets, wound closures, and more – so just in case something happens, you’re prepared!
Fire escape ladder
You already know that you need smoke detectors in your home, but do you have a rope ladder? For bedrooms on the second floor, this is a must-have item to make sure you and your loved ones can get out in case of an emergency. Though most home fires happen during the winter (with peak days being Thanksgiving and Christmas), July is the peak month for grill fires, so make sure you have two ways out of every second-story room with this escape ladder.
Join the neighborhood!
Download the vipHomeLink home maintenance app now from Google Play or the App Store.
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