Palmy home show fire hazard - how would you get out of the maze?
- Auckland's sports arena is in the news because of an appalling fire alarm shambles. Some of the audience faced locked-door fire escapes and felt trapped and terrified. The staff failed to communicate with the 43,000 people at the event. See bit.ly...
- Last week at the Home Show at our arena, I was similarly concerned about fire safety.
- The trouble is that you are channeled along this huge, long unbroken walkway between endless display booths. After seeing most of it (it gets junky towards the end), I wanted to just go back and go home, but found myself endlessly walking, walking, walled-in without access to a door out.
- I became 'warmly' irritated, and realized the fire hazard. No easy out. And surrounded by ultra-flammables like sofas, beds, paper, rubber, plastic, etc. that would produce choking smoke. Not in an open sports arena, but enclosed in the huge roofed building.
- Eventually I arrived back near the entrance. Before leaving, I spoke to a young guy at a kiosk about it. I encouraging him to talk to the management. He saw the point and agreed enthusiastically, but I don't know if he reported it.
- The arena should have suitcase-sixed, bright-LED-light, battery-lit, 'Fire Exit' lamps visible at all times, visibly able to compete with all the visually loud advertising displays. AND a clear, easy pathway to escape, not blocked by walls of kiosks and all their tables loaded with equipment adding obstacles.
- What do our local firefighters and police think of the risk? Perhaps none of them go to the Arena expos, or while relaxing there, naturally feel 'off duty'.
- What do you think?
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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83.3% Yes
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14.3% No
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2.4% Other - I'll share below
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.