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Simple Security precautions in your home will not cost a lot of money,in fact it could save you a fortune.In a matter of minutes, the time it could take you to read this article, there will have been five burglaries

In nearly two thirds of cases break-ins are through the doors of a property,the next most vulnerable part of the home is the windows (32%)A home security alarm with alarm monitoring, home security cameras (CCTV) and quality security locks fitted are part of the best security scenario for your property.However there are some basic crime preventative measures you can take that are either free or very cost effective.

Simple precautions include making sure your external doors are locked especially in the evenings, install a chain and bolt and a door viewer.Put a deadbolt on any cellar or basement doors from the inside if possible or a hasp and good strong padlock on the outside.Close all your windows especially when you go out even the small ones.Make sure valuables are out of sight and not left out where they could be easily taken.Make sure that any gardening equipment and ladders are locked away to prevent them being used to help a burglar break-in.Do not leave a spare key under the mat or a plant, leave a spare key with a trusted neighbour.

Security lights are very cheap and generally come supplied with motion detectors built-in, these light up whenever someone approaches them.Thieves hate to be noticed and the last thing they want is to be seenSecurity lighting is also a good safety feature to help provide safer access to your door.

A low cost motion detector operated by batteries does not cost much and could sound an alarm to alert you and hopefully frighten any intruder away , the last thing they want is to be discovered. Think about where you place the motion detectors if you have pets or children that could set them off.

Join or start a neighbourhood watch scheme in your area. Your local Police department should be able to give you help and advice to set one up and run it.

If you are going out at night close the curtains or blinds and leave a radio playing to give the appearance that someone is still in.

Install good quality window locks and pay particular attention to WINDOWS on the ground floor. Dont forget not to leave the key in when you go out. Window locks are relatively cheap and easy to fit.

Mark your property with your postal or zip code using a (UV) security pen or engraving and make then less attractive to steal. (It is often harder for them to sell property that has been marked with the true owners post, zip code or details.| Its harder to sell stolen property that has been marked with the real owners zip, post code or details}

Many people do not realise that over the years their property is worth far more than they think. How much does a CD or a DVD cost? Then multiply it by the number you have. Even the modest CD or DVD collection could be expensive to replace and in some cases could be impossible if your favourite CD is not longer available to order. Think about any Jewellery, DVD players, Televisions, Hi-fi, Cameras and video cameras you may have, what would it cost to replace all of these items? It might be insured but insurance cant replace a deleted CD or DVD or personal items. Its your property and by taking a few simple precautions you could prevent it becoming someone elses!

Its not just the fact that someone has taken your possessions, they have been in your home and through your personal property. Then you have to deal with the Police to report the crime and then the insurance company who want receipts and lots of information. The last thing you want is to come face to face with a burglar where anything could happen.

These measures should be in conjunction with other security measures like a home security alarm, high security window locks, security cameras (CCTV) it all helps to prevent your home from being the next crime scene

Most burglaries are opportunist and if you dont give them the opportunity you will save yourself a lot of stress and hassle.

Frank Landers
http://www.articlesbase.com/security-articles/stop-thief-are-you-next-102394.html

There are a number of fabrics that are commonly used to make curtains and drapes. The fibres that are used to manufacture the material determine how well it will wear and wash and how well it will hang at your window or door. The yarns used to construct the fabric can be man-made or animal or vegetable in origin.

One of the most useful fabrics in the interior designer’s resource toolbox is cotton. It is a vegetable fibre and in it’s simplest form it is known as calico. This is a medium weight cotton that is unbleached and plain woven. It is relatively cheap and has a matt finish so it can be used extravagantly to create WINDOW TREATMENTS that are dramatic and strong. It should be noted, however, that cotton tends to shrink so it is well worth washing your cotton fabric before you make your curtains. Another natural and basic cotton material is muslin. This is a very fine and loosely woven form of cotton. Like calico it is relatively cheap and can be used extravagantly to create lavish and unusual decorative window dressings.

Gingham is another lightweight cotton fabric that is woven into a checked pattern using threads of two different colors. It has been a popular fabric in the kitchen for many years and is now moving from its traditional location into other areas of the home, the sitting room, the dining room and even the bedroom. Madras cotton can create a more sophisticated look. This fabric consists of checks woven from many different colors and is often employed as a counterpoint to patterned or plain materials.


Glazed cotton, also known as Chintz, has been popular for a very long time. It derives its name from Indian chintz prints that were finished with a glaze. It has a shiny, attractive finish that is suitable for curtains in any room. Chintz is constructed from a fairly lightweight cotton but it is woven tightly to ensure that it takes glazing and dyes very well. There are two different glazing standards, heavy and light each with their own distinct properties. The heavy glazing gives a crisp shiny effect whilst the lighter glazing gives a soft sheen.

Easy care cotton, as the name suggests, is easier to care for than standard cotton. It is cotton that has been given an easy-care polished finish. It is silky and soft to the touch and washes and drapes very well indeed. It is much easier to care for than other forms of cotton curtains and drapes.

Satin curtains are made from pure silk, which is relatively expensive. This led to the development of cotton satin which is a more practical and cheaper alternative to satin. It is closely woven and has a very soft sheen, not unlike silk surprisingly. It is hard wearing and available in different qualities and weights. A heavy version will make fantastic curtains that will look elegant and sophisticated in any suitable room.

Whichever form of cotton you decide to use for your curtains and drapes it will not let you down.

Jeff King
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/curtains-and-drapes-fabric-have-you-cottoned-on-77206.html

When you think of a garden shed, you possibly visualize a wooden box-shaped structure situated at the edge of someone’s backyard, filled with all sorts of Household equipment and gardening tools. For some, their shed offers a place to do some DIY that is not appropriate for indoors; for others, their shed provides a quiet area for them just to rest and think. Although, these are the most conventional uses and designs, there are a lot of other variations of the ordinary shed that can be purchased and sheds can be made from an assortment of materials and come in an entire assortment of distinct shapes and sizes.  What’s more, sheds come in various price ranges and you don’t have to break the bank to find something appropriate to your requirements. Some can be small open-sided with tin-roofs and others can be big wood-framed sheds with shingled roofs.

The most familiar materials that are used are of course timber but did you know that you can purchase metal, plastic and even vinyl-sided sheds at cheap prices too? Again, it all depends on your budget and what you are going to use it for. The characteristic shed is often a single-story configuration with one door and either one or two WINDOWS. If you don’t happen to have space for a shed in your garden or you have no garden at all, you can rent space in an allotment and have your shed situated there.

Most people use their shed for storage which is of course very useful. You can also use your garden shed as a small workshop/office or even use it as a children’s play hideaway. You can put up shelves, maybe a bench and a desk for comfort.  You can be thoroughly creative when it comes to decorating and adding trimmings to your shed and it’s possible to do all this at a reasonably low cost. Small traditional garden sheds in general open from either the front or the sides and have at least one small window and such sheds can be bought very cheaply.

In warmer temperatures you can buy sheds with a protected overhang and an outside sitting zone. If you live in a colder climate then you can attach electrical points for use with heaters. If it’s just an area to escape then why not have your Television and laptop or add carpets and even curtains!  The simplest kind and the least pricey of all sheds can be purchased in a “kit form” meaning you have to self-assemble. These cheap sheds can be bought from most do it yourself stores, garden centres and from an entire host of reputable shed companies on the web. These kinds of DIY kits are normally wooden sheds but this is not always the case. The size and style of the shed you select will depend on the purpose that you are going to be using it for. You will want to think about whether it is to be used to store home garden tools and equipment such as lawn mowers, lawn tractors and bulky gardening items or merely to keep products that are not suitable for indoors, such as petrol, pesticides or herbicides.

If you have a small garden and want a cheap small shed, then there are a few types of small sheds obtainable at very reasonable prices; These consist of corner sheds, which fit into a corner 3’ tall x 3’ wide x 2’ deep, vertical sheds (5’ tall x 3’ wide x 4’ deep), horizontal sheds (3’ tall x 5’ wide x 4’ deep) and tool sheds. If you intend to use your shed for tool storage, then you may need to think about adding some shelves and hooks to maximize your storage space. Some other shed styles that you might like to think about include Gambrel-style roofed sheds, similar to the Dutch-style barn! And these exhibit a high slanting roofline which increases the storage space in the ‘loft’. An additional style of small cheap shed is the saltbox-style shed. No matter what kind you decide and for whatever purpose, I’m sure you will have a lot of happy years of enjoyment with your new garden shed.

Thomas Gee
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/this-article-should-shed-some-light-on-buying-cheap-garden-sheds-675789.html