LATEST MOAN FROM YOU AND ME - 2021

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by ARMANDII, Jan 1, 2021.

  1. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

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    I don't expect anybody will (be around to) confirm the middle option, but neighbours had a kitchen fire, and across the road got burgled using ground floor window for access, left keys visible downstairs so they unlocked the front door, loaded the neighbour's car with swag and drove off.

    Without checking the specifications of all the linked systems available, I can see many disadvantages.

    Holiday caravans are the worst, in some the smoke detector goes off shortly after turning anything on. Not recommended is always taking a smoke detector sized freezer bag and a large elastic band on hols.
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      I had to have a mains linked fire alarm system when I added the rear extension, building regs insisted and also door closers to ensure there are safe exits. There is a different kind of fire detector in the kitchen area, an Ionisation type, it never gives false alarms from burnt toast etc.

      We didn't have to have a linked carbon monoxide alarm (this was 10 years ago) but I just don't see any problem in doing so, instead we have a battery one - I wouldn't feel safe in any house if there wasn't one. We have a travel version when away in an AirBnB etc to be safe.

      Mains linked with battery backup is the safest system I can think of, I can't see any disadvantages - apart from the initial installation cost.

      If the alarms go off the plan is to evacuate not investigate. People die when they decide to tackle a fire themselves, you can replace possessions and bricks but not people. If you must open a door, feel the heat with your palms against the panels and if cool open carefully, a sudden inrush of oxygen will feed a smouldering fire dramatically.
       
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      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        Definitely :blue thumb:

        We have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and the Fire Service inspects them for us. They haven't said anything about being linked (they were inspecting here two weeks ago).

        I suppose things are easier in our place as we are all on one level, two exit doors and all the windows can be exited from.
         
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        • jimcubs

          jimcubs Gardener

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          Get out and stay out
          I have 4 exits and windows to escape from upstairs
          The thing that I see in other houses is where no keys are in locked doors, how do you get out then if keys are not available
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            I thought the linking was a Scottish thing that Sheal was having to deal with, does shineyland not come under England?

            I think when you add extensions or loft conversations different fire regs apply.
             
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            • shiney

              shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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              Yes, Shineyland has special regulations :blue thumb: :whistle:

              I think new build building regs state that alarms should be linked.
               
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              • Jiffy

                Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                • Upsydaisy

                  Upsydaisy Total Gardener

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                  We don't shut internal doors either, hate having doors closed like to know and hear what's going on.
                  Been burgled twice.....both times the police reckoned they watched my daytime movements. They broke it once after lunch when I had taken all the children ( mine and the contracted cared ones ) out for the afternoon ( Aug school hols). The second time we were broken into at 12:30 ( lunchtime) on a Wednesday.....the only time and day I had to take a contracted cared for child to a nearby preschool session. They hadn't banked on our youngest son still being home from university...he was up in his room on his computer ( with head phones on) and suddenly a guy burst in threatening him with a very long screwdriver.! Fortunately he beat a hasty retreat when my son stood up showing his muscular 6ft 4in frame. I was just coming through the gate when he nearly knocked me over in his hurry to flee.

                  Police spent the whole afternoon finger print dusting and using tracker dogs. He had opened drawers and cupboards pulling everything out....nothing of great value :heehee: so he left empty handed except for nabbing son's phone.

                  Thankfully we could both give descriptions and son was able to give a very good one of the tattoo he had on his hand...police knew him , caught him, retrieve son's phone and he was given a two year prison sentence.

                  But both experiences have very much unnerved me. Despite now having an alarm system I am very aware that our movements and routines can be watched. I became aware of a car driving past and then turning around and parking up as if it was watching our house this happened on numerous occasions, we informed the police of the car reg. and it turned out they were part of a large, known, burglary gang from London. They were nabbed too.:dbgrtmb:

                  We have all glass doors downstairs, so at least I can see if we've had ' visitors'. I now always check the windows on my/ our return home BEFORE unlocking the door and entering the house.
                   
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                    Last edited: Oct 11, 2021
                  • shiney

                    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                    We were burgled in 1984. We were out at work and two young men, under the influence of drugs, smashed our kitchen window, made a bit of a mess rifling through cupboards (took nothing from those) and took the TV and video recorder. There was blood on the broken glass.

                    In those days we had a police station in the village (two police houses) and they turned up within two minutes of us calling. They called for SCO's to come along for the forensics but they were all busy at Stansted airport where a kidnapped Nigerian had been found in a crate. The police said that they didn't know when the SCO's would be able to get to us and we shouldn't tidy up anywhere or use the kitchen. So we went to a local restaurant for dinner whilst they waited for the SCO's :).

                    They turned up about 10.30, processed fingerprints and the blood and two days later they had them in custody.

                    We had a burglar alarm system installed after that.
                     
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                    • pete

                      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                      I see that the TV news is still pushing the shortage of lorry drivers.


                      They were showing the containers stacked up at Felixstowe and saying the containers were waiting to be moved.

                      Ok, so where has everyone gone.
                      Did they all die from covid.:dunno:
                      Apparently its not just here that this is happening.
                       
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                      • gks

                        gks Total Gardener

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                        Don't think this has anything to do with a shortage of drivers, but that's the media for you.
                        I was told that it's the volume of empty containers that is causing the problem at the ports. Apparently Maersk have sent a ship into Felixstowe just to load up with empty containers. I would say there is plenty of drivers, just nowhere to return the empty bins before collecting a load is causing the problem.

                        Clogged-up Felixstowe's empties now clogging up London Gateway - The Loadstar
                         
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                        • Jack McHammocklashing

                          Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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                          Scotland linked fire alarms
                          Three oldies (local streets) have been scammed, advised they were a legal requirement and would be fitted within two weeks "Thats £500 each thank you very much"
                           
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                          • clanless

                            clanless Total Gardener

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                            We've never been burgled - but my Mum and Dad have - no one was at home at the time. It was way back when I was moving about a lot, and for safety, I left my numerous credit cards at my Mum and Dads. Luckily the burglers found the credit cards, carefully replaced everything they had disturbed and went on a spending spree.

                            The police said that if they had not found the cards, then they would have caused way more damage. In fact we only found out when I saw the pile of letters from the credit card companies on the door mat.

                            Back to the present - we have a number of wifi infra red cameras and led flood lights - covering mainly the front of the bungalow. The front garden is enclosed in high hedges and a full height locked gate and the back is nigh on impossible to get to - it is also enclosed with locked full height gates.

                            Some might consider this over the top - but it gives us peace of mind.

                            In fact you can't walk down this cul-de-sac without being recorded on several video cameras - the neigbour across the road covers the front of my property and I cover the front of his.

                            BIG BROTHER.....
                             
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                            • Sheal

                              Sheal Total Gardener

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                              I've already got a smoke alarm in the kitchen (which isn't open plan) @shiney - and I don't eat toast. :)

                              I haven't.

                              No, it's only here in Scotland.
                               
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