Christmas asthma warnings
The National Asthma Council Australia has warned that Christmas trees (real and artificial) can trigger asthma symptoms and respiratory problems. To avoid the Christmas tree ‘sneeze and wheeze’, they offer these tips:
- Hose down your live tree before you bring it into the house. This will help to wash off the allergens.
- If you notice increased asthma or allergy symptoms, move your tree outside.
- Give your artificial tree a good shake outdoors before putting it up inside.
- Vacuum your artificial tree and decorations as you get them out of the box, unpacking them outside if possible.
- Wipe down your artificial tree, wreaths, garlands and ornaments with a damp cloth to remove dust.
- When you pack the tree and decorations away, use airtight plastic bags and sealed boxes so they’re less likely to collect dust.
Holiday security checklist
Prepare for the holidays with this home security checklist from ADT Security.
A month before you leave
- Undertake a home security audit: Check for things like broken fences, gate latches and window locks.
- Organise a professional visit: licensed security experts can assess the home and create a tailored solution with households’ individual security needs and budget in mind.
- Consider live streaming cameras: cameras positioned around the home are ideal for monitoring all sorts of situations.
- Document any valuables: having an updated list of valuables, including photos, can provide vital proof of ownership in the unfortunate event of a burglary.
A week before you leave
- Ask neighbours to keep an eye on the home: having a neighbour collect the mail and bring in bins will give the impression that someone is home.
- Hide valuables: don’t make it easy for an intruder to locate precious items such as jewellery, electronic devices, car keys and sensitive documents.
- Spray alarm sensors: insects and spiders can be a common cause of false alarms so spray sensors with insect repellent before leaving.
- Automate lights: programming lights to switch on and off while people are away gives the impression the home is occupied.
- Update emergency contacts: for those who will be overseas or in a remote area, make sure an emergency contact has been nominated with your security company. It’s also a good idea to give contact details to a trusted neighbour.
- Don’t reveal holiday plans online: oversharing personal details on social media can put home security at risk. Be careful not to post your whereabouts or holiday plans or use geo-tagged posts.
Bunnings Christmas night
Bunnings Warehouse Gungahlin invites locals to celebrate the festive season at the annual Christmas Family Night on Thursday 6 December 6-8pm. Meet Santa, create a wishlist and get involved in a DIY workshop.
For more: bunnings.com.au/stores/act/gungahlin
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