10 top tips for a safer holiday.......Stopping crime over the silly season
Burglaries
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• Gifts under the tree are tempting for thieves so make sure they, and other valuables, can not be seen from outside the home. Also, be careful when disposing of any tell-tale packaging.
• Do not advertise when the house is empty by leaving messages on the answering machine or on social networking sites, or allowing parcels to be delivered to an empty home.
• Let neighbours know if going to be away, give them a contact phone number, and ask them to clear your mail.
• Make sure it is difficult for someone to break into the house – lock the shed, put away tools and wheelie bins.
• Do not leave a spare house key in an obvious place. Consider security options that complement each other, such as alarms, security lights and deadlocks on doors and windows.
Car theft
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• Lock the car, no matter where it is parked and keep your keys with you. Try to park in open, well-lit areas, or an attended, secure parking building.
• Take shopping and other valuables out of the car with you.
• If you've shopped 'til you've dropped, and must leave items in the car, then keep them in the boot.
• Remove the GPS cradle and mobile charger.
• Install additional security to your car such as an alarm, or immobiliser, to help deter thieves.
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What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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5% Second half of November
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44.1% 1st December
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17% A week before Christmas
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32.5% Whenever you wish
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
The Neighbourhood’s Brainiest: Can YOU Solve Today’s Riddle?
You see a boat filled with people.
It has not sunk, but when you look again you don’t see a single person on the boat.
Why?
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