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We hope you’ve managed to enjoy the break, or if you’ve had to work through, that you get some time off soon. We’ve been dreaming of relaxing at this colourful retro Kāpiti bach which features in our January issue. It’s the perfect sanctuary for its Wellington owners, who find themselves … View moreWe hope you’ve managed to enjoy the break, or if you’ve had to work through, that you get some time off soon. We’ve been dreaming of relaxing at this colourful retro Kāpiti bach which features in our January issue. It’s the perfect sanctuary for its Wellington owners, who find themselves unwinding as soon as they walk through its front gate. Where's your favourite place to unwind over the summer?
1. Check your smoke alarms
Smoke alarms provide an early warning in case of a fire inside your home. Traditional alarms beep when they detect smoke or fire, while smart detectors also send an alert to your phone. There should be a smoke detector in every room in your house except bathrooms, for … View more1. Check your smoke alarms
Smoke alarms provide an early warning in case of a fire inside your home. Traditional alarms beep when they detect smoke or fire, while smart detectors also send an alert to your phone. There should be a smoke detector in every room in your house except bathrooms, for maximum protection. You also need one in the hallway between the living area and bedrooms.
Crucially, you are highly advised to test your smoke alarms at least once a year to ensure they still work. You are four times more likely to die in a house fire without a functioning smoke alarm!
2. Get a fire extinguisher
Having a fire extinguisher handy can make the difference between a small kitchen mishap that was successfully contained, and the house literally burning down. There are different types of fire extinguisher, classified according to the kind of fire they’re designed to tackle. Make sure you are aware of what the differences are and how to use each one in an emergency situation. A typical home extinguisher should have an ABC rating:
• Class A – combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, household rubbish, most plastics
• Class B – flammable liquids, solvents, oil, petrol, paints and lacquers
• Class C – gases including methane, propane, hydrogen, acetylene and natural gas
• Class D – combustible metals including magnesium and aluminium swarf
• Class E – Electrical fires
• Class F – chip pan fires, as an alternative to a fire blanket
3. Create a fire stopping landscape
A fire originating from outside, such as a wildfire, is best thwarted by preventing it from reaching your house in the first place. You can use landscape gardening design to slow down or stop the spread of fire towards your home, by adhering to these tips:
• Use hard landscaping such as concrete, stone or gravel around the house
• Clear any dry vegetation from around the home, particularly in the summer
• Use fire resistant plants such as lavender and honeysuckle for soft landscaping, and spread them out, to slow down fire and stop it from spreading
• Keep outdoor plants well watered during the summer months. Lush green planting is less likely to burn.
4. Use fire retardant materials
Let’s start with building materials; some are more vulnerable to fire than others. Using fire retardant alternatives and fireproofing your interiors are good first lines of defence against a potentially serious tragedy. Make the changes when you are refurbishing or redecorating your home. The Building.govt.nz website has a comprehensive list of everything you can do to help prevention of fire occurring. Designing for fire can also be designing for sustainability which is without a doubt a win-win!
When it comes to materials, concrete panels, stucco or brick for exterior walls, steel framing for windows and concrete or metal for roofing are all good choices. Fire retardant paint is also a good idea. For decking, concrete, tiles, stone or brick are better than wood.
Inside your home, choose fire resistant curtains and upholstery fabrics. Additional flameproofing can also be administered to your existing home fabrics and upholstered furniture in situ. Curtain Clean can service your existing upholstery anywhere in the country. Call us on 0800 579 0501 for prices and to find out more.
Planning on doing some op shopping? Good idea – make sure to pop into your Red Cross Shop, we have more than 40 around the country! It is also a great time to drop off your unwanted Christmas gifts or to find someone else's pre-loved treasure.
We can't wait to see you and happy op … View morePlanning on doing some op shopping? Good idea – make sure to pop into your Red Cross Shop, we have more than 40 around the country! It is also a great time to drop off your unwanted Christmas gifts or to find someone else's pre-loved treasure.
We can't wait to see you and happy op shopping!
Curtains are a great way to really complete the look of a room in your home. They can add a sense of personality and lift up the atmosphere of your home without spending a fortune on redecorating. Most people tend to forget about their curtains when cleaning other home interior accessories, such as… View moreCurtains are a great way to really complete the look of a room in your home. They can add a sense of personality and lift up the atmosphere of your home without spending a fortune on redecorating. Most people tend to forget about their curtains when cleaning other home interior accessories, such as carpets. Little did you know, curtains can cause serious harm to your health if left unattended for long periods of time.
1. CURTAINS ACCUMULATE ALLERGENS AND DUST MITES
Curtain fabrics can often attract a lot of allergens and dust. These are the two main causes of allergic reactions such as sneezing, coughing or runny noses. Due to their small size, they are easily carried by wind and accumulate on curtains after some time, especially curtains that are made from cotton. Some curtains are worse offenders when it comes to dust accumulation, particularly those made from thicker fabrics and multiple curtain layers in one. Allergens and dust mites are trapped between the layers and thus increase the chances of getting allergy symptoms. Removing the allergens hidden in your curtains can already help relieve allergy symptoms a lot without the help of meds.
2. MOULD AND MILDEW
Moulds can develop and grow in curtains, and they are most likely to thrive in a dirty curtain. Mould growth is something that can’t be ignored, and immediate curtain cleaning should happen since it can cause potentially dangerous health problems and puts everyone in the home or commercial space at risk.
Some moulds can trigger asthma and other bronchial or respiratory issues. Most images are susceptible to disinfectants found in individual cleaning solutions, aside from many other possible diseases or health conditions.
It’s best to seek the help of professional curtain cleaners since formulations must be based on the kind of material your curtain was made from. The overall quality and craftsmanship deserve to be well-cared for with the right cleaning products and techniques.
3. GERMS
Germs are one of the main causes of sickness in both humans and pets. What most people don’t know is that they love attaching themselves to curtains (mainly those that are hung in dark areas).
4. DUST AND TOXINS
Curtains in all homes can collect dust and toxins quickly. Mainly if the curtain material is thick and lined. Does one of your family members at home suffer from regular asthma attacks or bronchitis? If your answer is yes, then the cause is probably hiding in your curtains.
CONCLUSION: CLEAN YOUR CURTAINS PERIODICALLYYour drapes may play an important role in enhancing the overall ambiance of your home. Proper maintenance of curtains becomes absolutely essential if you want to have a healthy indoor environment for yourself and your family.
When those super hot summer days and nights eventually come around, all you will want is a safe haven to save you from the heat. These are a few steps you can take to stay cool when the weather heats up.
• Make sure your ceilings are insulated - insulation can help keep out the suns heat
•… View moreWhen those super hot summer days and nights eventually come around, all you will want is a safe haven to save you from the heat. These are a few steps you can take to stay cool when the weather heats up.
• Make sure your ceilings are insulated - insulation can help keep out the suns heat
• Set your ceiling fans to rotate anti-clockwise.
• Turn your fans around, face them towards an open window so they can blow the hot air out of the house. Fill a mixing bowl with ice (or something equally cold, like an ice pack), and position it at an angle in front of a large fan so the air whips off the ice in an extra-chilled, extra-misty state. Trust us: It’s magic.
• If you have a heat pump, try out the fan-only or dehumidifier options to cool your house. They use less power than air conditioning and are still effective.
• Keep the windows open overnight and then close them in the morning to try and hold in the cold air.
• Install safety catches on your windows so you can leave them open all day, even when you're out.
• Close blinds or curtains to keep sunlight out during the hottest hours of the day, especially on windows that get direct sun. Some blinds are designed to let you see out, but still block most of the direct UV rays. As simple as this tip may seem, closing your curtains and blinds essentially prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse.
• Turn off unnecessary lights and electrical appliances – this reduces a home's heat load.
• When cooking, keep windows open, put lids on saucepans and use an extractor fan to reduce steam and heat.
• Ventilate – keep doors or windows open at opposite ends of the house to create a through-draught, or cross ventilation.
• Closing off unused rooms will prevent cool air from permeating these areas during the hottest part of the day. You’ll want to capitalize on the cooler night hours, too, letting air flow naturally through your home.
• Start the barbie - It’s obvious, but we’re going to say it anyway: using your oven or stove in the summer will make your house hotter. If it already feels like 50 degrees in your home, the last thing you want to do is turn on an oven.
• Make a few long-term improvements - you can make a couple changes to your home that will keep it cooler for seasons to come. Insulated window films, for example, are a smart purchase as they work similarly to blinds. And additions like awnings and planting trees or vines near light-facing windows will shield your home from the sun’s rays, reduce the amount of heat your home absorbs and make your investment even more worthwhile.
Hopefully these were of some use to you, and if you have anything to add or any comments please do below!
If you or someone dear to you has diabetes, this might be helpful….
A little prevention is far better than waiting to have problems with feet. These can include cracked heals, fungal infections, sores between the toes, and infected nails. And, in many cases, slow healing.
We have three … View moreIf you or someone dear to you has diabetes, this might be helpful….
A little prevention is far better than waiting to have problems with feet. These can include cracked heals, fungal infections, sores between the toes, and infected nails. And, in many cases, slow healing.
We have three outstanding products for feet, especially for 'more mature' people. Foot Lotion, Foot Powder and Dabbit.
Also a new product being released next week: Foot Repair Cream.
Foot Care:
*Apply lotion directly after showering
*Apply Foot powder as needed
*Use Dabbit for any cuts, or redness around nails to prevent infections.
*Clean socks every day
ON THE BALL FOOT LOTION: Our Foot Lotion is antifungal, and contains cayenne and comfrey which increases circulation. Because poor circulation is often part of the problem with diabetes and foot trouble, this is an excellent foot product choice. We recommend using our On The Ball Foot Lotion after showering while the skin is slightly damp making the lotion more easily absorbed. The lotion base is perfect for moisturising the skin, helping to avoid skin becoming dry or cracked. The strong Tea Tree in this product is an effective anti-fungal.
ON THE BALL FOOT POWDER: Our foot powder is also anti-fungal, absorbs dampness, prevents friction, and makes feet feel really comfortable. Also is talc free.
DABBIT: For toe nail (or fingernail) infections our product Dabbit is really effective. It can deal to established infections, and we have found that it heals septicaemia through the skin. It comes in a convenient 10ml rollon bottle. Very potent, so only a tiny drop is needed. This product has two actions, fights the infection, and the healing herbs help the body to heal itself. For established infections it must be applied several times a day.
FOOT REPAIR CREAM: We already have a product for hands Hand/Warm Repair which is really popular, and customers keep coming back for more when they run out, so we are going to do a similar product for feet. This cream is thick and waxy, full of healing herbs, and also increases circulation. You should see it in our online store, and the Cottage Shop next week.
* You can browse our products in our online store, or arrange a time to visit our cottage shop in Ngongotaha with a quick text. 021 144 1113
* Or, go to google and type in Country Herbals
* Kate from Country Herbals
Dear Neighbours,
We are excited to announce early access for all neighbourly members to our biggest Boxing Day Bed Sale!
Beds 4 U have you covered with all your snooze needs with beds and mattresses to suit everyone and every budget. We are your exclusive Slumberzone retailer- Made by … View moreDear Neighbours,
We are excited to announce early access for all neighbourly members to our biggest Boxing Day Bed Sale!
Beds 4 U have you covered with all your snooze needs with beds and mattresses to suit everyone and every budget. We are your exclusive Slumberzone retailer- Made by Kiwis, for Kiwis - You can save up to 60 percent on an incredible range of NZ made beds and mattresses- Plus, get 12 months interest-free for all Q card & Gem Visa purchases and get free local delivery using the discount code "Neighbourly".
Check out our limited-time specials online or visit your local Beds 4 U Store Now!
Bring back your dream sleep,
With Beds 4 U's Biggest Boxing Day Bed Sale!
Your Local Sleep Experts
Hi I need to get new coloursteel roof for me house, can anyone recommend roofing compagny in Rotorua?? Had a quote from Tauranga compagny but was way too high....
Our National Office will be closed from today (Tuesday, 22 December) onward into the new year with the first of staff set to return on Monday, 11 January. No emails or calls will be returned during the closure and our social media will not be monitored.
From all of us at Neighbourhood Support New … View moreOur National Office will be closed from today (Tuesday, 22 December) onward into the new year with the first of staff set to return on Monday, 11 January. No emails or calls will be returned during the closure and our social media will not be monitored.
From all of us at Neighbourhood Support New Zealand - thank you for your mahi and support over the past year! Wishing you a safe and joy-filled holiday season ahead.
4x High back dining room chairs, great for the extra guests over Xmas. Sturdy with no issues here.
All 4 for $100 making them a great buy @$25 each.
Just what you need at the end of the day, recline back and relax in this comfy Lazy Boy recliner chair.
In great condition with no mechanical issues or damage to framing.
Fantastic space saver and great for an Air B&B this wooden king single bed has an extra trundled bed underneath that can convert this into a Queen size or 2x single beds.
Posturepedic inner sprung mattresses (top king single and underneath a single) giving correct support and comfortable night … View moreFantastic space saver and great for an Air B&B this wooden king single bed has an extra trundled bed underneath that can convert this into a Queen size or 2x single beds.
Posturepedic inner sprung mattresses (top king single and underneath a single) giving correct support and comfortable night sleep making this a perfect solution for a kids room for sleepovers or in a spare room for guests.
No stains or marks with this hardly used and in excellent condition.
“I recommend Koru FX cream by Koru Nutrition. It’s New Zealand made, natural and fast acting.”
Throughout her career, Irene van Dyk has tried a number of products. It’s only in recent years that she’s come across a natural alternative that she now recommends. If you’re looking for a … View more“I recommend Koru FX cream by Koru Nutrition. It’s New Zealand made, natural and fast acting.”
Throughout her career, Irene van Dyk has tried a number of products. It’s only in recent years that she’s come across a natural alternative that she now recommends. If you’re looking for a fast-acting, long-lasting, natural product to support joints and muscles, then Koru FX cream is for you.
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