Downturn means no insurance?

Almost a fifth of UK adults (18%) do not have home insurance leaving families to face the financial burden of burglaries or major mishaps, new research by The Co-operative Insurance reveals.

The research shows that the issue is even more widespread among the under 35s, with more than one in three (36%) admitting they would have to pay out of their own pocket if their furniture, clothes, or family heirlooms went up in flames, because they don’t have insurance.

And with more than half of Brits (52%) planning a summer getaway over the next two months, this means that as many as three million people without insurance will be leaving their homes empty for a week or more.

The research also reveals that despite this, many people still make careless mistakes when it comes to securing their home. One in five (20%) admit that they regularly leave windows open while more than one in twenty (6%) keep large amounts of cash in their home. In addition, 16% never lock their garden shed, 13% don’t know if their smoke alarm works and 5% leave a spare key under their door mat.

List of most common security risks people take when leaving homes unattended

Number ................Risk
1 ..............Leaving windows open
2...............Leaving garden shed unlocked
3...............Not locking windows (when locks are provided)
4...............Not checking battery in smoke alarm
5...............Keeping large amounts of cash at home

The findings also show that over one in ten people (12%) have been caught out by not having insurance and have had to fund average losses of £358 from burglaries, house fires, spills and breaks out of their own pocket.

Lee Mooney, Head of Home Insurance at The Co-operative, said: “Worryingly, our findings show that a large number of people in the UK are going without home insurance, a problem which is particularly affecting the under 35s.

“The issue is that no one thinks they’re ever going to need insurance until something goes wrong, and in today’s economic climate it’s easy not to prioritise it. However, without it, you could be leaving your worldly goods open to damage or burglary and are risking paying out hundreds of pounds from your own pocket if something does happen.”

The research shows that the economic climate is to blame for creating an ‘uninsured population’ as the top reason for not having insurance is being strapped for cash, with more than half (56%) of those without home insurance saying they can’t afford it.

Nearly a quarter (24%) of those surveyed also say that they’ve stopped paying for home insurance as part of recent budget cut backs, while more than one in four people (26%) say that it features either ‘low’ or ‘very low’ on their list of ‘priority’ household expenses.

The findings also show that the UK’s biggest uninsured population lives in London, with more than one in four adults (28%) taking the risk of not having insurance. The ‘safest’ populations are Yorkshire and Northern Ireland, where nine in 10 people have home insurance.

It also shows that renters are happy to take more risks, as 40 per cent of those who live in rented accommodation forgo home insurance compared to just seven per cent of those who own their own home.

Statistics from The Co-operative Insurance also show that over a lifetime, more than eight in 10 people (85%) make at least one claim on their home insurance.

Gingerlily's 'A' Grade Mulberry Silk Duvets for Autum/Winter

As the cooler nights draw in, Gingerlily’s 100 per cent pure silk-filled duvets are perfect for keeping comfortably cosy during the autumn and winter months. A natural heat conductor, silk adjusts to the individual’s body temperature and to the ambient temperature of the room. By trapping air next to your skin, they keep you warm in winter while drawing heat away from the body in summer to keep you cool.

Unlike many conventional and synthetic duvets, which require bulk filling to give the impression of warmth, Gingerlily’s silk duvets are both light and thin. This makes them less heavy on the body while maintaining a deep, more comfortable night’s sleep.

Different seasons require different levels of warmth, so Gingerlily has created duvets in three weights: summer (2-4 tog), all seasons (6-8 tog) and winter (9-11 tog). These can be combined to suit individual preferences and provide all year round comfort.

Combine with Gingerlily’s range of the finest silk-filled pillows for the ideal sleeping experience. Available throughout the UK and Ireland including Harrods and Selfridges. For more information or to request a brochure, please visit www.gingerlily.co.uk or call 0843 216 9902 to speak to a specialist.

New Vacuum phenomenon, Gtech AirRAM™ Scoops Good Housekeeping Endorsement

Gtech AirRAM™ has received the Good Housekeeping Institute endorsement after rigorous testing of this innovative vacuum cleaner that is sucking up success across the UK.

Heralded at its launch in April this year as ‘The Future of Vacuuming’, two months on and the Gtech AirRAM™ has firmly stamped its mark, becoming one of the most desirable vacuums within the John Lewis portfolio. According to the huge volume of customer reviews, banishing the need for heavy, cumbersome, corded vacuums has changed domestic cleaning into a pleasure rather than a chore. Gtech users literally ‘love vacuuming’. Now armed with an order book worth £6m from high street and independent electrical retailers, Gtech is proud to display the Good Housekeeping Institute Approved logo on its packaging.

Good Housekeeping’s Head of Consumer Testing, Patricia Schofield says: “Lightweight and convenient to use, this cordless cleaner scored a hit with the GHI testers. Using only a fraction of the electricity of its mains competitors it packed a punch, picking up dirt and debris with ease.”

Since initial independent laboratory tests showed Gtech AirRAM™ outperforms leading mains and cordless competitors on carpeted floors, further independent laboratory tests have again been undertaken to reinforce its effectiveness revealing that Gtech AirRAM™ also picks up and removes dust and debris from hard floors more efficiently than leading mains powered vacuums.

No Cyclone, No Bag, No Cord
Launched by British design specialist, Gtech, the AirRAM™ is the first cordless vacuum cleaner utilising ground breaking technology that heralds the biggest evolution in vacuum development during the last 20 years. Despite banishing cyclones, bags, cords and using only 100 Watts of electricity, AirRAM™ outperforms leading mains powered and cordless vacuums on both hard and carpeted floors. Using only 100 watts of electricity to deliver this performance, AirRAM™ can save up to an astounding £252 in electricity bills over a five year period. Its lightweight and ergonomic design coupled with cordless feature also means you can easily take AirRAM™ upstairs and downstairs reaching into every corner of your home.

Gtech’s founder, Nick Grey says: “History shows that once a fully capable cordless version of a product comes onto the market, corded versions lose value and become niche. Phones, kettles and drills were all tethered to sockets not so long ago. AirRAM™ challenges the market leaders bringing a new era of technological change with true mains performance achieved for the first time ever from a cordless vacuum cleaner.”

The innovative Gtech AirRAM™ will change the way you vacuum your home forever, making cleaning faster, easier and more convenient. Be part of the cordless revolution today with your very own AirRAM™. Gtech AirRAM™ (RRP £229.00) is available from www.gtechairram.com or www.gtechonline.co.uk, John Lewis stores nationwide and from September 2012; Argos, Curry’s, Comet and Debenhams.

Confused.com releases unique social burglar experiment footage

Confused.com recently conducted a unique social burglar experiment, following research revealing that 19% of the UK does not have any home and contents cover. To highlight the importance of having home insurance, the price comparison company invited members of the public to get involved with a secretive campaign based around burglary, becoming the first comparison website to embrace social media with such a campaign.

The first phase of the campaign began by asking more than 600 people who entered the competition to visit a page on the Confused.com website and state the town or city the clues in the video pointed to: www.confused.com/home-insurance/articles/win-one-of-the-UKs-....

The first three people who guessed the correct location from the clues given were then sent a video which told them about an opportunity to steal high value items from a vacant property in Bristol. In the video, they were asked to travel to Bristol Temple Meads train station, where they were met by an actor.

The competitors were then, one by one, picked up by the in-character actor from the video in a van and taken to the location in Bristol, where they were told to gain entry noiselessly and take what they could find. The competitors were filmed inside the house and were left unaware as to whether anybody would return to the house.

A video of the experience can be found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7eMdQEPzNE.

The competitors included Alex from Brighton, who stated on the day that he had been burgled in the past while sleeping.

Security expert John Humphries of Defend and Protect Ltd has 17 years of security experience. He was asked to give his professional opinion of the contestant burglary footage and commented that Alex was surprisingly adept, most likely because he'd been burgled.

Sharon Flaherty, head of PR and content at Confused.com said: "With this campaign we were looking to create something immersive that demonstrated very clearly the importance of having home insurance and contents cover. We wanted to demonstrate that even members of the public with no burgling experience can gain access to a house and be in and out within minutes having stolen high value or sentimental items, and came up with this unique way to do so.

"In order to make it as authentic as possible, the contestants knew very little about the experience, something that was very important as we wanted to gain the insight of a security expert who could analyse the movements of the contestants and also give tips regarding home security. Interestingly, John Humphries said that the contestant who had been burgled was perhaps more at home in this experiment, as its clear that he now understands just what a burglar is looking for and where. I only hope those watching this don’t have to experience a burglary just to appreciate how devastating it can be."

Photo to Canvas Proves Popular with Homeowners Looking for Unique Art

In the modern household, homeowners are always on the lookout for something new and original in which to decorate their homes. This season, canvas prints from www.photo-to-canvas.net are proving popular, not only for their fantastic style but also for their competitive prices.

In the current economic climate, homeowners are increasingly aware of their spends. Looking for cheaper ways to decorate their homes in order to brighten up dull interiors, people are opting for the increasingly popular canvas prints as a cheap alternative to add colour and personality to the home.

Photo to Canvas offers a unique and easy to use upload service which allows people to upload their personal photographs on to the site. From there, it is possible to transform photographs into stunning canvas prints, perfect for the home or as unique gifts.

There are plenty of options available to make canvas prints eye-catching and fun. The colour, black and white and sepia effects are perfect for that added originality whilst the border edge choices enable homeowners to choose a style suited to their homes.

For those looking for help to create canvas prints on the site, the small and friendly team are always happy to help. They offer free advice all day, every day on creating prints as well as information on the materials used and the service provided.

Shoppers ordering their canvas print before 2pm will receive it the very next day, free of charge. Anyone looking for an alternative way to decorate their home can visit the site for more information. Alternatively, click here to navigate straight to Photo to Canvas.

RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing featured on ITV’s This Morning

Heytesbury School memorial garden

RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing featured on ITV’s This Morning as part of the series Sewing the Seeds of Love where Garden designer Diarmuid Gavin is sent around the country surprising worthy citizens with a garden makeover.

RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing was used in a garden makeover at Heytesbury Primary School in Warminster, Wiltshire. The garden was the idea of 10 year old pupil Archie who requested a memorial garden for his sister Isobel who died of a brain tumour whilst a pupil at the school.

The idea resulted in the existing area being transformed by Diarmuid and his team. The dull black macadam surfacing was overlaid with RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing using Sesame Gold aggregate to create a more cheery and attractive setting for the many flowers and shrubs planted in Isobel’s memory.

The RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing was donated by specialist manufacturer Ronacrete and laid by Trowbridge based and Ronacrete approved PJJ Contractors Ltd. who also provided their services free of charge for this worthy cause. It was laid over a weekend ready for the feet of the many excited children whose reactions were filmed by the This Morning team.

“When Archie made this request we were delighted for Ronacrete to be able to play its part in this wonderful tribute to Isobel’s memory. We hope the children of Heytesbury School derive pleasure from the garden for many years to come,” said Simeon Osen, Managing Director, Ronacrete

www.hard-landscaping.ronacrete.co.uk/
tech@ronacrete.co.uk
01279 638700

And a second bathroom with Saniflo

Building Societies and estate agents have confirmed that the addition of a second bathroom can add significant value to a property, and make it easier to sell. In addition, recent regulations have been brought in requiring the installation of specific cloakroom facilities for disabled people in commercial situations.

When to Install a Macerator/Pump

In many cases these facilities cannot be installed by traditional means. You may choose to install one where it is impossible to use gravity drainage, for example in a basement, or where it would be too disruptive to use gravity drainage, such as where a large area of flooring would have to be lifted.

It may also be beneficial in cases where it would be too expensive to use gravity drainage, and location dictates the need for small bore pipe systems. The most familiar of these types of product is a macerator pump, which is fitted to the back of a standard WC pan. The pump is able to pump against gravity, which reduces most of the restrictions regarding installing a toilet or other facilities.


What is a macerator pump and how does it work?

All units work on the same principle – that is, water and waste drain by gravity into the unit. As the liquid rises, a pressure switch automatically activates the motor. Waste and water are macerated, and then quietly pumped away through small bore pipework to a remote soil stack or sewer.

When the toilet is flushed, the water level rises and at a preset level, a micro-switch in the float unit is activated, and the pump is switched on. The pump and blades are activated simultaneously, which disperses any solids present and, at the same time, pumps the liquidised waste to the discharge pipework.

The Saniflo domestic range has nine models which will remove waste up to 100 metres horizontally or 5 metres vertically (or a lesser combination of both) through 22mm pipework. It includes models that have macerators and are designed for use with a WC suite, as well as pump only units suitable in particular for use with kitchen appliances. In addition to the domestic range, there is our 'Professional Range' for use in demanding/high usage commercial situations.

For further information visit the website or contact
Saniflo Ltd., Howard House, The Runway, South Ruislip, Middx., HA4 6SE
Tel.020 8842 0033 Fax: 020 8842 1671
email: sales@saniflo.co.uk
www.saniflo.co.uk

Npower reveals UK homes turning up the heat this summer

Npower research has revealed many homes across the UK have resorted to switching their heating on to deal with this summer's unseasonal weather.

Findings from energy company npower reveal that 50% of UK homes had used some form of heating in the last four weeks, and this figure rose to 58% for residents over 55 years of age. With the summer weather yet to make an appearance and boiler systems usually switched off in spring still in operation, npower is encouraging Brits to ensure their boilers are operating efficiently and safely.

To help homeowners keep their heating systems in good working order, npower has launched a combined energy tariff and central heating care package, meaning that new customers signing up to the Bill Saver energy tariff can take advantage of discounted central heating care.

Npower's new offer combines the Bill Saver tariff, which offers annual charges discounted at 7% until August 2013, with an exclusive central heating care offer, only available to new dual fuel customers taking this tariff.

Npower's central heating care includes unlimited callouts as well as parts and labour. The service also includes an annual boiler service and safety check giving homeowners peace of mind that everything is operating efficiently and safely. An additional bonus is that npower's central heating care has no call out charges.

David Bond, Customer Marketing Manager at npower, commented: "The weather over the last couple of months has seen many people in the UK reaching for the heating controls and so it's important that heating systems are well maintained so they are ready to spring into action when needed.

"Signing up to a central heating care product now will keep systems protected over the summer and, crucially, ensures that come winter residents have access to a team of qualified engineers and a 24/7 helpline should anything go wrong. This is a limited offer so we're encouraging homeowners to sign up now to take advantage of our Bill Saver tariff and our cheapest central heating care together."

Npower's central heating care offer is available until 30th July 2012. For more information please contact 0800 229 999 or visit www.npower.com.

Industrial Chic, Vi-Spring Introduces a New Design, The Coronet

British bespoke bed-maker, Vi-Spring, has introduced a contemporary new design to its collection of the finest, handmade beds; The Coronet with Prestige Divan.

The chic, simplistic headboard design and shallow divan features chrome legs and can be upholstered in a fabric of the customer’s choice from Vi-Spring’s luxurious collection. Seen here, both headboard and divan are expertly covered in a geometric monochrome fabric; hexagon black and white for an on-trend look in the bedroom. Partner with bedding in complimentary shades of dramatic midnight blue and cool, crisp white.

The Coronet is handmade in Vi-Spring's Devon factory by master craftsman, generously hand-filled using a mix of the best natural materials; Platinum Certified pure British fleece wool and soft cotton, for comfort, breathability and bounce. For the ultimate night’s sleep, each mattress is available in a range of tensions from soft to extra firm and covered in a fine Belgian satin fabric. For a truly bespoke service, choose a different level of support for each side to suit individual’s exact requirements.

For more information or to request a brochure, please visit www.vispring.co.uk or call: 01752 366 311

Caption details: The Vi-Spring Coronet with Prestige shallow-sprung divan and Muses headboard in Hexagon black and white. Prices start from £5,115 for a king size.

RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing - ends uphill struggle in Whitstable

Resin Solutions Ltd, (Kent) was approached by the skipper of a fishing trawler in Whitstable who was having problems with his macadam driveway.

The drive was on a fairly steep slope and this combined with the lack of slip resistance provided by the macadam meant that vehicles could not get off the drive in icy conditions. As the driveway owner needed to be able to get to work in all weathers he needed to find a surface that would provide sufficient grip for vehicles to pass at sub zero temperatures. Another problem encountered was that the macadam was becoming uneven in places and breaking away from the surface, causing stones to get trodden into the house.

Resin Solutions Ltd discussed various surfacing options with the client and a decision was made to use RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing. It was chosen for its long life expectancy and because it could be used to level off minor surface irregularities in the macadam.

The clients wanted the driveway to incorporate a clearly defined pedestrian area as they had young grandchildren. Resin Solutions Ltd discussed various aggregate combinations that would provide a contrast and advised that a 1m wide border should be included at the perimeter to provide a pedestrian walkway.

The Midnight aggregate blend was selected for the vehicle areas and Terracotta was chosen for the walkway; a steel trim was installed by Resin Solutions Ltd to provide a well defined separation between the walkway and the drive. The work on the 237 square metres of driveway including all preparation was completed within two days.

“The client is ‘over the moon’ with his new drive and people have shown a lot of interest in the new surface. He is especially pleased that even with last winter’s snow and ice he had no problem getting out of the drive.”

Alan Brough, Resin Solutions Ltd (Kent)

www.ronacrete.co.uk
tech@ronacrete.co.uk
01279 638700