323 days ago

Framework Doors - Home Security Advice

Nick from Framework Doors

Hi neighbours, Nick here from Framework Doors. We are a supplier of beautiful looking steel security doors, installing in your neighbourhood.

I've put together some quick advice around home security. Hope it's of interest, drop a comment if you have anything else you'd like to add. Thanks and have a great week.

Immediate actions:
- Secure your belongings: Pretty simple. Don't leave packages unattended, bring in valuables from your car and make sure doors and windows are locked. I learnt the hard way having a scooter stolen off our porch in the middle of the night (it wasn't chained to anything - my bad, won't make that mistake again).

- Neighbourhood watch: If you don't already have one, consider starting a neighbourhood watch group, even if it's just a whatsapp chat with your immediate neighbours - letting them know if you're coming and going for extended periods of time, need help bringing in bins, clearing letterbox etc.

- Report suspicious activity: If you see anything unusual, report it to the police and neighbours. A lot of the time it's the same (small) group of people, known to authorities. Even small details can be helpful.

- Don’t hide your spare key under a welcome mat – or under a pot plant...or just anywhere that seems obvious!

Longer-term solutions:
- Security cameras: Installing security cameras can be a deterrent and provide evidence if something does happen. Places like PB Tech have got pretty decent, affordable, super easy to install cameras (tbh just having something/anything there that resembles a camera and is clearly visible can be enough to discourage opportunists).

- Further to this, clearly displaying a sticker from a security company on your windows can also be a useful deterrent.

- Outdoor lighting: Well-lit areas can also deter unwanted visitors.

- Upgrade your locks: Consider investing in stronger locks for your doors and windows. Deadbolts are great as they prevent people getting in, while also making it much harder to get out with large items like a TV.

For those still reading, Framework Doors specialises in locally-made (and beautiful looking) steel security doors (see image). While they're not the only solution, they do add an extra layer of protection and peace of mind. They install directly into the existing door frame and come in a range of designs, colours etc. Good for keeping intruders out and great for keeping pets, kids etc contained, while also allowing passive airflow and sunlight into the house.

If you'd like to know more, please reach out. I'm happy to offer advice, even if you're not ready to purchase right away.

- My email is nick@frameworkdoors.com.
- Website is www.frameworkdoors.com....
- Check out images of our doors in situ via Facebook and Instagram @frameworkdoors.

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More messages from your neighbours
3 days ago

Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One? ⛓️‍💥❔

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What has a head but no brain?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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1 day ago

Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.

We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.

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🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
  • 82.5% Same!
    82.5% Complete
  • 17.5% Would have liked to try something different
    17.5% Complete
189 votes
2 hours ago

7 tips for buying your Christmas ham

Brian from Mount Roskill

It’s the centerpiece of the Christmas table, so when you’re peering into the supermarket chiller or ordering from the butcher, choosing the perfect ham can feel like a daunting task.
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing one to bring home with you. 
1. What type of ham to buy
You’ve got some decisions to make when it comes to the type of Christmas ham you’re going to buy. 
Cooked on the bone (COB) ham is the traditional Christmas ham. If you’re buying a half ham, you’ll have the choice of the shank or fillet end. The shank is the part with the bone sticking out that gives the ham that traditional look. The fillet end is the round part that gives more meat. If you’re deciding whether to get a whole ham or half, consider how quickly you’ll be able to eat it all. You only have about a week to eat an opened ham before it will go off, so it can be a good idea to get two halves. That way you can eat one half during the week of Christmas and save the other for January.
Champagne ham has had the bone removed and only has the hock left on, so it’s easier to carve.
Pressed ham – also known as continental ham – has had the bones removed and has been pressed, so it’s also easy to carve.
2. Check the pork percentage 
The label on a packaged ham will say what percentage is actually meat. Hams are injected with brine, to keep them moist, and additives. The brine injection level for manufactured hams is usually between 10% and 35% of the ham's weight. A manufacturer that wants to produce a cheap ham will add more water to bump up the weight.
3. Know how to tell if it’s New Zealand pork
By far, most of the hams bought in New Zealand this Christmas will be from pigs reared overseas. New Zealand imports pork from about 25 countries. It’s frustrating for New Zealand pig farmers because this ham can come from farms that don’t have to meet the same animal welfare standards as we have in this country. As a result, overseas meat is often cheaper.
If buying New Zealand pork is important to you, look for: 
words on the packaging like ‘New Zealand pork’ or ‘born and raised in New Zealand’
4. Have a good look at the ham
If you’re going to be glazing your ham, look for one that is covered in a finger-thick layer of fat. This will give you the thickness you need to make good score lines.  
New Zealand Pork’s website also advises looking for a ham that has a meaty texture rather than one that looks wet or rubbery. It says the ham’s skin should be smooth with even colouring. “If the knuckle is sunken, it may be overcooked. If the rind is buckled or uneven, it may be a sign of dryness.”  
5. Ask a lot of questions 
If you’re ordering your pork from a butcher, you probably won’t be able to compare hams like you would at the supermarket. So, make sure you ask lots of questions, now that you know what you’re looking for.  
You could ask: 
Is the ham made from New Zealand born and farmed pork?
What will be its injection percentage?
What flavours will it have?
You could even ask if there’s a glaze the butcher thinks would work particularly well with those flavours.   
6. Know what size you’ll need
If the ham is the only meat on your Christmas menu, New Zealand Pork advises allowing 1kg of ham for five people. Or if you’ve got other meat options, 1kg will feed about six to eight people.
7. Know the best hams in New Zealand
The best hams of the year were awarded at the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards earlier in the year so you can check out which ones got medals. Some of them are only available in the city the butcher is based, but a Farmland boneless ham available nationwide won a gold award and Woolworths bone-in and boneless hams picked up bronze.
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