2018 Holiday Gift Guide DIY Staff Picks

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All of us here at DIYControls take pride in offering exceptional and friendly customer service. We know our products inside and out, and love nothing more than helping you select the most economical and valuable protection.

Our Staff Picks for Holiday Gifts

When it comes to the holidays, we’re as particular as you are about finding just the right gift for everyone on our list. To help you get a head start on your shopping, here are 12 things we would most like to give or receive this year!

Bob: Home Protection During the HolidaysleakSmart Automatic Water Shut Off System w/ Internet Control- 2nd Gen

Protection is a priority for those like Bob who aren’t always “home for the holidays.” With an automatic water main shutoff system like the leakSmart Automatic Water Shut Off System with Internet control, Bob can rest assured that his home and belongings are protected against water damage before it starts. Leaksmart’s sensor-based system detects leaks throughout the home and shuts off the water in less than 5 seconds. The system hub connects to the Internet and sends audible and visible alarms as well as notifications via a smart device app.

Bob’s wish list also includes a professional grade DIY security system to safeguard his home against intruders and other safety hazards. A fee-free, internet based security system like Riscoâ’s WiComm Internet/Cellular Security System with a cellular backup option lets Bob use an iOS or Android smartphone or a computer to control the system from anywhere. He can also receive email and push notification alerts right to his mobile device .

Dan:Venstar T3700 Explorer Residential Digital Thermostat A Warm Welcome

For ski and snowboard enthusiasts like Dan, the gift of an Internet thermostat lets him live the dream of arriving to a pre-heated ski cabin on cold winter nights. The Venstar T3700 Explorer Residential Digital Thermostat has seven-day, single-day, or five-and- two-day programming. A variety of lighting, language and temperature options allow Dan to customize the unit, and he can choose to connect remotely using either WiFi or Z-Wave technologies by adding one of Venstar’s optional wireless modules. All for under $100!

Marpac Marsona DS-600A Sound Therapy Machine

Laura: A Sound Sleep and Reminder to Take Her Meds

The Marsona Sound Therapy Machine is a thoughtful and unique gift for anyone who has difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, especially those like Laura who suffer from tinnitus. It lulls users with relaxing sounds like falling rain, the ocean’s surf or crickets chirping softly. This lightweight, portable machine plugs into a wall outlet or runs on battery power. It also features an automatic timer and sliding volume control.

Laura would also appreciate finding a Med-Q White Digital Pill Box Organizer in her Med-Q White Digital Pill Box Organizer, 2 Beep Reminder, LED Alertstocking. She can easily program the Med-Q with her medication time and it will flash the corresponding day slot with a bright red light. It also sounds an alarm that increases in volume. Features include 14 removable compartments, oversized buttons and large, digital display, and braille marking.

Kris: A Smart Home Upgrade

Kris is wishing for an easy entree into the world of smart homes. The Samsung SmartThings + Leviton Home Samsung SmartThings + Leviton Home Lighting Automation KitAutomation Bundle gives her the ability to easily control the lighting in her home from anywhere in the world. The kit includes the SmartThings hub, a Leviton universal dimmer and a Leviton switch. And because this system is totally expandable and compatible with many WiFi and Z-wave sensors and modules, Kris can add any of hundreds of compatible devices to monitor and protect her property, including lights, speakers, locks, thermostats, sensors and more.

Laura’s Mom: Layers of Pool Safety for Her Grandkids

The Safety Turtle 2.0 Child Immersion Pool Alarm System is the easiest way to New Safety Turtle 2.0 Child Immersion Pool/Water Alarm Kitprotect little ones around a pool for open water. This personal immersion system uses water-activated wristbands that trigger a loud alarm when submerged in water. Laura’s mom can use the Safety Turtle at home or carry it to wherever the grandkids will be swimming, including hotels, lakes, a friends pool or on a boat.

For an added layer of protection, the easy-to-install MagnaLatch ALERT Pool Safety Gate Latch with Alarm is a magnetic latch she can affix to vinyl, metal or wood gate posts. The top-pull model has dual electric warnings when unlatched a bright LED lights and an audible alarm and a rekeyable lock for extra security and convenience.

Lisa: Fewer Worries About Her New DogMotorola Digital Wireless Indoor Pet Monitor and 2 Cameras- SCOUT500-2

The gift of an indoor pet cam would go a long way towards alleviating Lisa’s worries about her new dog when she’s at work or away from home. Motorola’s Digital Wireless Indoor Pet Monitor with two cameras offers a convenient two-way communication feature that will allow Lisa to communicate to her dog without being in the same room. The video monitor has a full color LCD screen and infrared night vision for keeping an eye on things in very low light levels.

Deluxe Freeze Alarm (FA-D2)

Jim: Vacation Home Peace of Mind

A freeze alarm monitors the temperature inside the home and provides a warning if it dips dangerously low. It’s an ideal gift for people like Jim, who owns a vacation home up north that he closes up for the winter. A call-out freeze alarm like the best-selling TempAlarm Dialer Pro sends Jim an alert via a phone call when the indoor temperatures in his home are falling.

A local alarm like the simple-to-use Freeze Flash Temperature Warning Temperature Warning Light - Freeze Flash - (FZ-5)Light lets Jim put his observant neighbors to work for him! All he has to do is set the low temperature, install the batteries and place the unit in a visible window. When the temperature goes below the set level, the light will flash and attract his neighbors’ attention.

Donna: Home Alone Security for Her Dad

The Ring Video Doorbell is tops on Donna’s list of gifts for her elderly dad, who lives alone in a town several hours’ drive from her. Its like Caller ID for the front Ring Video Doorbelldoor and super-simple to use! When the doorbell is pressed or motion is detected, an alert is sent to her dad’s smartphone along with streaming live HD video of the visitor outside the door. Ring Video also lets her dad converse with the visitor through the built-in microphone and speakers.

Still looking for the perfect gift?

Click on the Great Gift Ideas tab on the DIYControls home page for more suggestions. Use the lefthand column to shop by price, manufacturer, features and more. It’s a handy resource for finding holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list!

 

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