Home Security Checklist
With summer just around the corner and the warmer weather setting in, you’re going to be spending a lot of time outdoors leaving doors and windows open to get fresh, cool breezes through your home. But leaving your home open may increase the risk of break-ins and create an easy way for intruders to gain entry into your home.
Exceed is here to help you with 10 top tips to improve your home security:
1 - Use key-operated locks on doors and windows – and don’t hide spare keys under doormats or in obvious places for burglars to find them easily
2 - Install security screens on all doors to keep your family safe
3 - Install window security stays to increase security, natural safe ventilation and prevent children falling from high windows
4 - Install hinge bolts to stop doors from being lifted out of their frames
5 - Upgrade beads and rubbers to hold any glass in place
6 - Install digital deadlocks so you no longer need to remember your keys when you leave your home and grant short term access to friends or Airbnb guests
7 - If you have an alarm system, make sure it is working properly
8 - Keep plants trimmed around doors and windows and install sensor lights or CCTV cameras
9 - Don’t leave valuable items like keys out in easy view for opportunistic thieves
10 - If you’re going away on holidays, make your home look occupied – leave the TV or radio playing, set lights to come on with a timer and ask a neighbour to collect your mail and take care of bins
Being aware of potential security risks and taking action early is the best way to keep your home and loved ones safe.
Click the link below to learn how Exceed we fix windows & doors specialists in your area can help you improve your home security!
Riddle Me This: Can You Out-Smart Yesterday’s Champ?
How can the number four be half of five?
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Proposed Canterbury landfill faces huge opposition
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
More than 500 submissions have been received in response to a proposed managed fill landfill in North Canterbury.
Christchurch-based Protranz International Ltd has applied to Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council for resource consents to establish and operate a quarry and landfill operation at White Rock.
Waimakariri District Council planning manager Wendy Harris said the applicant was up against ‘‘probably the most organised local group I’ve ever seen’’.
‘‘They organised a protest march, they’ve got signs all around and they’ve got a website and a Facebook page.’’
She said the 548 submissions was more than the 421 submissions to the draft Waimakariri District Plan, which was notified in 2021.
A proposed housing development at Ohoka, near Rangiora, in 2022 received 630 submissions.
While the details of the submissions have yet to be released, it is understood the majority are opposed.
Harris said planners from the two councils will plan joint hearings early next year.
More than 100 people marched from Southbrook in Rangiora to the Waimakariri District Council lawn in High St in September to express their opposition.
Organiser Mike McCaleb said residents are concerned about the potential environmental damage to the Karetu River, which feeds into the Okuku River, and then the Ashley/Rakahuri River.
He said he was surprised there were not more submissions but said he was aware of several people who had issues with Environment Canterbury’s website timing out.
‘‘It will be interesting to see the details of the submissions.’’
Protranz is seeking to restore the Whiterock Quarry, at 150 and 174 Quarry Rd, North Loburn, to near its previous landform, by filling it with managed fill, building and demolition waste and contaminated soil material, including asbestos.
The company bought Whiterock Quarry in 2022 with plans to fill it with soils and inert construction rubble removed from building and land development sites in Christchurch and North Canterbury, which are sent to Kate Valley Landfill.
‘‘Sending this stuff to Kate Valley adds a massive cost to developers, homeowners and community organisations who have dirt to move, and fills Kate Valley with material that can be better managed somewhere else,’’ Protranz founder Gerard Daldry said.
He said Protranz commissioned a wide range of testing including site investigations, technical assessments and design of the managed fill to support the resource consent applications.
The reports found environmental risks were ‘‘extremely low and able to be mitigated’’, Daldry said.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.3% Yes
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14.2% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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