5 Ways To Improve Your Home Security

When you think of home improvement, you probably imagine the ways in which you can make your home more comfortable, functional and aesthetically appealing. Things like renovating your kitchen, remodelling your spare room or giving your alfresco area an overhaul. But how much thought do you give to making your home safer and more secure?

If you really want your home and family to be comfortable, you need to ensure that your property is as secure as possible. Burglaries and home invasions are an unfortunate reality of modern urban living, so neglecting your home security can have some seriously disastrous consequences.

If you haven’t considered how safe your home is, or you’re looking for ways to ensure that your belongings and loved ones are protected, then make sure you read the rest of this article to learn about 5 ways you can improve your home security. It could literally save your life one day!

1. Secure Your Doors

Your doors are the most obvious entry point to your home, so it makes sense that they’re the first thing that would-be intruders target.

Firstly, make sure that all your doors have strong locks on them and that they’re always locked – even when you’re home. If you leave your doors unlocked its easy for anyone to just walk in, and thieves have even been known to target people who leave their car keys close to an unlocked front or back door.

However, even a locked door on its own isn’t enough if it isn’t the right kind of door. That’s why security doors in Perth have become extremely popular in recent years. Made from high-grade stainless steel mesh, they allow you to keep your doorways secure while also allowing in lots of lovely fresh air and natural light when you need it.

2. Secure Your Windows

After doors, windows are the next most obvious area targeted by burglars and home invaders, so you need to make sure that they’re properly secured. While ground-level windows are the most at risk, it’s also highly advisable to secure windows on any upper levels of your home as well.

Installing high-quality double glazed windows in Perth – and ensuring that they’re fitted with strong locks – is a great first step, but sometimes that isn’t enough to stop determined intruders. That’s why it’s advisable to go further and install security screens as well.

This means that not only will your home be safe when you’re away, but you’ll also be able to enjoy opening your windows up to the fresh air without worrying about creating an opportunity for would-be intruders.

3. Secure Your Garage

For most people, the garage door is actually one of the most-used entrances to their home. It’s also one of the areas that people are most likely overlook when they think about their home security, and thus it often represents an easy target for burglars.

Firstly, never leave your garage door open for an extended period of time. In addition to this, always ensure that your internal door leading to the garage remains locked at all times. This means that even if intruders do manage to get inside your garage, they won’t be able to get access to the rest of your home.

It’s also a good idea to invest in a good quality garage door and make sure that it’s properly maintained. It might cost a bit more, but it’s well worth it to know that your home is safe and secure.

4. Light It Up

Darkness is the biggest ally of burglars and home invaders, so the more you can do to light up your home (both inside and out), the safer it will be.

Options for doing this include:

Light timers: a practical and inexpensive option, these devices switch on your lights if you aren’t home or when it gets dark and can help to deter intruders.
Exterior lighting: make sure the approach to your house is well lit.

Motion sensor lights: another effective and inexpensive option, it’s a good idea to install motion sensor lights at the rear of your property to scare off anyone hoping to take advantage of the cover of night to break in.

5. Install An Alarm

While it’s always best to do everything you can to make sure that burglars aren’t able to get into your home in the first place, an alarm can help to provide an extra layer of security when you aren’t there.

There is a range of different alarms available (some of which can even be routed to a local police station or alarm control centre) to suit your needs, and sometimes even just displaying visible signage for your alarm system can be enough to deter people from trying to break in.

Article Source: 5 Ways To Improve Your Home Security

8 Great Benefits Of Stretch Film (Infographic)

It might look like heavy-duty cling film, but the stretch film is actually one of the most versatile, efficient and cost-effective weapons in your packaging arsenal.

Designed to adhere to itself without the use of glues or staples, stretch film has a high coefficient of friction. To put this in simpler terms, once it’s wrapped over itself under pressure, it effectively holds itself in place.

Generally used to secure goods on a pallet for transportation or warehouse storage, stretch wrap film is pulled around the load and stretched into place. The plastic has a memory and wants to return to its original size, which creates an “elastic band effect” and holds to load tightly in place.

This means that stretch film can quickly and easily be applied to loads of varying sizes and shapes. It also means that removal is similarly quick and easy — you simply cut down one side to release the tension and then remove it by hand.

Able to be deployed in a wide range of applications across a vast range of industries, there almost isn’t a packaging operation that couldn’t be improved by the intelligent application of stretch film.

It can also be applied with manual hand-held devices or with semi-automatic or automatic machines that come in various grades, gauges, widths and colours depending on your specific needs and application.

When selecting stretch film, it’s important to match the correct type with the job. Check out our great range of stretch film, semi-automatic or automatic application machines.

Contact us today to have the benefits of stretch film!

Infographic Source: 8 Great Benefits Of Stretch Film

3 Simple Tips For Avoiding A Rat & Mice Infestation In Your Home

There are few things as unpleasant as dealing with rats and mice invading your home. If this is a problem for you, then we can definitely help out with our expert rodent control service.

If you’ve gotten rid of the rats and mice and want to prevent rodent infestations from occurring again – or from preventing them happening in the first place – there are a number of things that you can do. Being proactive can help keep your home safe and hygienic, plus it can save you from dealing with the stress, panic and expense of dealing with a rodent infestation.

Seal Up Your Home

It might sound a bit obvious when we say it, but the easiest way to stop rats and mice from becoming a problem is to prevent them from entering your home in the first place.

Check inside and outside your home for gaps and holes and make sure that they’re properly sealed (there are numerous types of filler and sealant available at your local hardware store). This will make it much easier for any rodent infestation to enter your home and spread easily.

Remember, mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a 5c piece, so make sure you do a thorough job of inspecting and sealing!

Possible places for gaps and holes outside your home:
– Around windows
– Around doors
– In the roof among the eaves, gables and rafters.
– Around the foundations
– Attic and crawl space vents
– Under doors
– Around holes for plumbing, electrical and gas lines.

Possible places for gaps and holes inside your home:
– Around the fireplace
– Around doors
– Around the pipes under your sink
– Between the floor and wall juncture
– Around floor vents and dryer vents
– Inside, under and behind kitchen cabinets, fridges and stoves

Clean Up Your Home

Having a clean, tidy and orderly home will help to greatly minimise your risk of rodent infestation by eliminating possible food sources and nesting sites.

Getting rid of rubbish (like old tyres), tidying and elevating debris like wood piles and keeping grass and shrubbery near the home well trimmed will help to eliminate nesting sites.

It’s also important to make sure that nothing is touching the external areas of your roof – keep an eye on things like trees, lattice or other small structures. Anything that bridges the fenceline or ground and the roof can be used by rats and mice to climb onto your roof and into your home.

Eliminating possible food sources is also hugely important. This can be achieved by:

– Keeping all food in thick plastic or metal containers.
– Cleaning up spilled food immediately
– Washing your dishes and utensils straight after use
– Putting away pet food after use and not leaving it out overnight.
– Buying a thick plastic or metal garbage gin with a tight lid
– Keeping compost bins away from the house
– Disposing of your rubbish on a regular basis.
– Traps: Your Last Line Of Defence

No matter how well you seal your home and eliminate all possible food sources and nesting sites, chances are that rats and mice will eventually make their way inside your home. They’re determined little so-and-sos after all!

Having some traps in place will help to ensure that any rodents that do breach your defences are dealt with quickly before they have a chance to breed and become a full-blown infestation.

Most hardware stores have a range of different traps for rats and mice, so have a browse and do a bit of research to work out which ones are best for you and your home. Once they’re in place, remember to check them at regular intervals and replace the bait as needed.

We’re Here To Save The Day

All of the advice we’ve mentioned is great at preventing a rodent infestation, but what if you wake up one day and discover that your house is riddled with rats and mice?

Get a free online quote from us today!

The important thing is not to panic and to call us on 08 9444 9562 as soon as you possibly can. Our trained pest control experts can quickly get on top of the problem and have your house rodent-free as soon as possible.

Infographic Source: 3 Simple Tips For Avoiding A Rat & Mice Infestation In Your Home

7 Benefits of Installing Security Screen Doors (Infographic)

The location, luxury and value of your home is all somewhat incidental if you are not going to feel safe and secure whilst you are living there. Naturally, the doors to your home are the most important feature to ensuring your home is immune to burglaries and unwanted guests. Whilst security doors in Perth act primarily to provide a safe home, there are in fact a range of other benefits to installing security doors in your home today.

1. Safety / Security 

These doors are all about making your home safer and more secure, and there are a range of different features that enable them to do so. This includes the choice of material, the strength of the frame as well as non-removable hinges depending on which type of security door you choose to go with.

2. Keep pets and toddlers inside

A security screen door is a very effective way to keep your pets contained and indoors when you are not watching them. Likewise, if you have toddlers or young ones living at home, security doors can deliver piece of mind that your kids are safe at all times.

3. Keep insects outside

While security screen doors act as an effective way to keep your loved ones inside, they also act to keep bugs and insects outside. This is especially convenient during the summer months when mosquitoes and other pests can compromise the comfort of your home.

4. Maintain your privacy

Security screen doors can be designed in a way that suits the level of privacy you wish to have within your home. The design of the mesh can be tailored to accommodate exactly how much of your home you want people to be able to see from outside.

5. Aesthetically pleasing

It is probably not the first thing that pops into your mind when you think about security screen doors, but they can actually be very stylish. With a large variety of different colour and design options they can significantly boost the aesthetic appeal of your home. (For an example of just how great they can look, click here to view one of our previous projects).

6. Add value to you home

The purchase of security screen doors instantly increases the value of your home. By significantly improving your home’s aesthetic appeal and security, you’ll be increasing your chances of getting a much better sale price should you wish to sell in the future.

7. Save on air conditioning & improved ventilation

You will find that security doors drastically reduce your energy bills through the improved ventilation they provide. Whilst reveling in a safe and secure home you can enjoy a consistent flow of fresh air through your living room, which in turn reduces your need for expensive electrically powered air conditioning. In a modern urban environment, security screen doors are a non-negotiable when it comes to living a safe, private and comfortable lifestyle. With a range of different Havengard options available, we can install security doors that will enable you to take full advantage of all of the benefits we listed above. If you want to learn more, get in touch with us today to speak with one of our dedicated security screen door experts.

Infographic Source: 7 Benefits of Installing Security Screen Doors

7 Steps To Buying The Perfect Engagement Ring

Engagement rings are the ultimate symbol of love, commitment and new beginnings. Although it is a huge part of getting married, most people don’t know where to begin when it comes to choosing the right ring.

If you are planning a proposal but you haven’t found the perfect ring yet, it might be because you’ve never really thought that much about it (which is totally normal if you’ve never proposed to anyone before).

You may have picked out elegant watches or other jewellery with your fiancé-to-be, but buying an engagement ring is a different ball game altogether, especially when it’s something you’ll have to do on your own.

We understand that it can be quite a daunting task. That’s why we’ve put together 7 steps to buy the perfect engagement ring — so that you won’t be overwhelmed when it comes to finally take the plunge and propose

1. Set A Budget

Doing this allows both you and your jeweller to save time and look at options that are within your price range.

People can be lured into purchases that break the bank by thinking that the more expensive, the better it is. Some people even postpone their proposals until they can afford something ‘better’.

An engagement ring is a symbol of a new chapter and should represent your unique relationship, which cannot be defined by a price tag.

In reality, you can find the perfect engagement ring at a price that is well within your means, as long as you keep the following tips in mind.

2. Surprise Them

The entire journey of buying the perfect engagement ring for your spouse-to-be is much less exciting if you don’t do this. It seems like a trend for couples these days to shop for their engagement rings together. While this might mean that your partner gets to pick the ring that they want, there’s a lot that the both of you are missing out on.

The element of surprise, romance and beautiful memories are forgone. Planning it out is going to take a lot of effort, but the memories that you will create and cherish will make it all worth it.

3. (Sneakily) Get Their Ring Size

If you have decided that you are going to surprise your significant other, you’ll have to do this very sneakily. Find out where they keep their jewellery and get a hold of a ring that they don’t use often when they’re busy or not looking. You’ll want to make sure they still use the ring so that you know it is their current size. If you’re struggling to manage this, get a friend to help you out.

If they don’t wear any rings, that’s fine. Just guess as accurately as you can and then you can always have the ring resized once you’re engaged.

4. Take Notice Of Their Style

Take notice of the jewellery they wear and what their general style is. Do they love wearing big, glitzy statement pieces or do they stick to minimalist designs?

Do they like heavily detailed jewellery or something more simple? Keep whatever you have learned about their individual style in mind, you’ll need this information when selecting the perfect ring.

5. Choose The Band

Before you pick the band, do your research. Engagement ring bands are available in a myriad of precious metal options and designs. While colour and aesthetics should be taken into account when choosing, don’t forget to factor in the properties of these metals that affect their durability or how easily you can restore its original lustre and shine decades from now.

Think about what this ring will mean to you and your fiancé, and what you want it to encompass. Do you want to pass it down to your future generations? Is it important that it is exactly how your fiancé wants it because their happiness is all that matters? Think about it carefully before making your choice.

6. Pick A Stunning Diamond

Now comes the most daunting step, choosing the diamond. To ensure that you’re buying the best quality diamond for your budget, look into the 4 C’s: Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat.
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Colour

Diamonds come in various colours and it is graded on a scale ranging from D to Z (colourless to light yellow). D is the rarest and most expensive on the scale.

White diamonds that lie somewhere in the middle of the scale, are the most popular option for its classic looks and economic value. At the end of the day, your choice of diamond colour should be based on your personal preference and suit your budget.

Cut

The way a diamond is cut is what gives it its shape and enhances the stone. When cut well, a diamond reflects light to all its facets through the top of the stone and as a result, gives it a beautiful sparkle.

A poorly cut diamond will show in its lacklustre appearance, and the quality of the colour, clarity and carat of the diamond will not show.

Clarity

‘Inclusions’ is the term used to define the naturally occurring trace minerals and impurities found in a diamond. The purer the diamond is, the fewer inclusions it has and the more expensive it is.

The clarity of your chosen diamond will mostly depend on your budget. The tip to getting the best of its kind is in avoiding diamonds with inclusions in the middle or on top of the diamond, as they are more visible to the naked light and can get in the way of light that is reflected by the diamond and affect its shine.

Carat

Carat is the measuring unit used to define the weight of a diamond. The heavier the diamond, the more expensive it is. Although the weight and size of the stone have an obvious correlation, there’s no need to give more importance to the carat weight, as properly mounted and shaped diamonds can appear bigger than its carat weight may propose.

7. Selecting the diamond shape

This step is really just a matter of identifying their preference. Diamonds come in round, princess (square), pear, oval and heart shapes. If you’re unsure of what she wants, go with round as it is classic in appearance and never goes out of style!

This information should be enough to get you started on a search for the perfect engagement ring, but if you need more advice and expertise before you make a decision, get in touch with us.

We have a plethora of options of which you can find the perfect one for your significant other, and plenty customizable options so you can add an individual flair. Drop in our store and speak to one of our friendly consultants to help you in this journey to new beginnings.

Infographic Source: 7 Steps to Buying The Perfect Engagement Ring

5 Amazing Benefits Of Sustainable Packaging

Sustainable Packaging is a hot topic now across the globe, with fears of rising temperatures coupled with the throwaway cultures that ultimately leaves our lands and oceans not looking tip top!

Not only will utilising sustainable packaging help play our part in helping the environment, but there are many other benefits that will help your bottom line as a business too!

See below for 5 Amazing Benefits of Sustainable Packaging

Infographic Source: 5 Amazing Benefits Of Sustainable Packaging (INFOGRAPHIC)

Natural Remedies For A Sparkling Clean Shower Screen

Shower screens can certainly build up some muck over time! Here you can find some natural remedies to help clean your shower screen, and also how to maintain it!

If for whatever reason your shower screen is beyond the point of being ‘fix-able’, take a look at our shower screens page for a fresh start.

Infographic Source: Natural Remedies For A Sparkling Clean Shower Screen