It must be the start of wedding season because I received a wedding invitation in the mail today! This is an exciting time for many young couples, but as those of us who have been married know: There’s more to marriage than romance. There are also the practical day-to-day realities of setting up a household together, building families, growing careers and more. Master Lock is kicking off wedding season by reminding newlyweds of important safety and security precautions to consider as they embark on married life. And for those of us who have been married a while, it's always smart to take the time to review our ongoing efforts to help our family stay safe, especially now during National Safety Month. According to the National Safety Council, "National Safety Month focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road and in our homes and communities." And Master Lock has the products that newlyweds -- and all of us -- need to give us peace of mind when it comes to our family's safety.
As a blogger on Master Lock's Live Secure Safety Squad, I've had the opportunity to try many Master Lock products, which are highly effective in helping your family to focus on safety issues. One item that we found to be of great use recently was the Master Lock 4688D TSA-Accepted Luggage Lock. My twins just returned from a trip to Washington, DC, with their safety patrol group, and this lock was perfect for securing their luggage on the plane ride. I like that it comes in four colors (see photo at left), so each member of our family can have a different one, which makes identification easy. (As you can see below, Caleb's favorite color is blue.) And this lock has an easy-to-set combination, so we never have to worry about the kids (or adults!) losing the key. The lock is really durable, so it will withstand heavy use from baggage handlers and kids. And TSA screeners at the airport can unlock it to inspect your luggage without cutting it. My kids breezed through their trip with the 4688D lock, and they -- and their luggage -- returned safe and sound. We'll definitely be using these locks again for future family travel!
The following safety tips and easy-to-use products from Master Lock are geared to help engaged and newly married couples, but everyone can benefit from this advice:
1. The Registry: Although more than 2 million couples tie the knot each year, 84 percent of U.S. and Canadian residents do not include safety items on their wedding registry. (Source: Master Lock March 2015 Safety and Security Survey) Adding a durable, long-lasting safe, such as the Sentry Safe FHW40200 Waterproof Fire-Resistant File, to your registry will help ensure your valuables, marriage license and other important belongings are protected and safeguarded for years to come. 2. The Honeymoon: Whether you are traveling to an exotic destination or spending the weekend away, your honeymoon is a celebratory time for you and your spouse. As you pack your sunglasses, sandals and suits, don’t forget to lock up your luggage with a Master Lock 4688D or 4692D TSA-Accepted Luggage Lock to protect your valuables while traveling. Make sure to keep credit cards, cash, jewelry and other small items in the portable Master Lock 5900D SafeSpace personal safe to secure your belongings while you have some fun in the sun.
3. The Home: Buying your dream home and moving in together may be the first time couples combine their belongings. From electronics to jewelry, your home is the place where all of your personal valuables and belongings are located. With a burglary occurring every 15 seconds, (Source: FBI) turn your house into a safe haven with added protection and security measures. Beyond customary locks, use a Master Lock 265DCCSEN Door Security Bar to resist forced entry through front, patio or sliding glass doors.
4. The Finances: Filing jointly with your spouse offers many advantages, and with a new marital status comes significant changes that could affect your taxes. Couples who jointly file are able to deduct two exemption amounts from their income and qualify for multiple credits. To keep all your necessary tax documents organized and protected throughout the year, use the Master Lock Vault, a free, digital safe deposit box, to store credit card numbers and digital copies of tax forms or other important documents in a secure, reliable location for easy access from any smart phone or computer. 5. The Commitment: Getting married should be a positive time in your life, and committing to your spouse and relationship is a significant milestone. As in other areas of your life, marriage will be full of ups and downs. Planning for the long-term, discussing your goals, compromising and making sacrifices are all important steps to creating a happy and strong foundation together.
For more safety tips and products, visit the Master Lock website or connect with Master Lock on social via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or YouTube.
Disclosure: As a blogger in the Master Lock Live Secure Safety Squad, I have received products and compensation to facilitate my participation. All opinions are 100% my own.
