April showers and May flowers

It doesn’t matter if your garden is a flower garden, a vegetable plot or laid to lawn, there’s always something to do – particularly now that the growing season is just around the corner.

If you are thinking about lilies for a dazzling summer display now is the time to plant out lily bulbs in pots. Plan other summer flowering bulbs such as gladioli and ranunculi.

Lift and divide perennial plants such as hostas and primroses.

Feed shrubs, hedges, trees and roses.

Dead head daffodils and tulips that have finished flowering and leave the foliage to die back naturally.

If you’re into your vegetables, now is the time to dig compost, well-rotted manure or green waste into your beds.

Sow second early chitted potatoes. You can also direct sow into well-prepared seed beds parsnips, cabbages, radishes, carrots, broad beans and more. Have a look at the Royal Horticultural Society website for more information.

For a comprehensive list of what to sow have a look at this website.

If you have a greenhouse there are several things you can do now. Start swing tomatoes, and half-hardy annual seeds. Once seedlings have developed their first true leaves, prick them out into pots for growing on.

Repair your lawn by sowing seeds on bare patches. Apply a high nitrogen fertiliser and aerate any compacted areas with a garden fork. Mow the lawn as required but don’t lower the blades to their lowest setting until the end of May.

General jobs in the garden can include cleaning and weeding paths and patios, keeping on top of the weeding, checking for pests and diseases, top up bird baths and bird feeders and top up raised beds with fresh compost and topsoil.

Getting in some hard work now will mean that you can sit back and really enjoy your garden when the summer weather finally arrives!

Host a quintessential English dinner party

If you haven't already realised St George’s Day and William Shakespeare’s birthday were both on 23 April.

If you were thinking about celebrating but didn't know what to do, the team at Allison Homes has come up with a few ideas for you. There's still time.

After all, what better excuse do you need to celebrate all the best that England has to offer?

For the perfect party just 'as you like it' here are some tips to avoid your entertaining efforts becoming a 'comedy of errors'.

• Do it in style – look the part with creative costumes and invite your family and friends to dress up. Look awesome in armour or dramatic in doublet and hose.
• Banquet – set up some long tables and host a medieval-style banquet.
• Colours – red and white is the order of the day. Decorate rooms with cross of St George bunting. Use a white table cloth with red table runners the length and width of the table and red napkins and a mix of red and white candles to adorn the dinner table.
• Roast beef of old England – serve a delicious English roast dinner of beef with Yorkshire puddings and all the trimmings. For something slightly different why not try Beef Wellington? Serve with a full-bodied red wine.
• Stirring tunes – you could play traditional English folk music in the background. Think accordions, bells and fiddles. You’ll find plenty on Spotify. Alternatively, there are plenty of stirring English tunes to choose from or you could opt for military marches like the Dambusters’ theme, 663 Squadron or the Battle of Britain march. Fitting perhaps because this year is also the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force.
• Recitations - why not borrow from Burns Night and have some recitations during dinner. Jerusalem from William Blake, the John O'Gaunt speech from Shakespeare's Richard II and the St Crispin's Day speech from Henry V are all great. And don't forget Kipling.
• Games – try an English historic figure version of Animal, Mineral or Vegetable. Have a large map of English counties with the names left off and see if your guests can name them. Or, cut out famous English faces from old newspapers and magazines and get your guests to try and identify them.

If the weather is good, take it outside and have an English-themed BBQ. But, staying indoors may your best option. One of the most English things about England is the vagary of the climate.

Keeping children safe at home

Keeping your children safe is a major concern for any family. The Allison Homes team is alert to the fact that this week (23-27 April) is Family Safety Week. It’s a week of awareness activities promoted by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)

According to RoSPA, accidents are the biggest killer of children and young people. Every week at least one child under the age of five is killed because of an accident.

We are very safety conscious at Allison Homes. Your happiness and safety in your new home is important to us. That’s why we have pulled together some simple tips for things that you can do to keep your home as safe as possible for your children.

There are five areas of safety concern that affect children: household poisoning, choking, falls, bath time and bed time.

Poisoning

• Keep all household chemicals – including liquid laundry capsules – out of the sight and reach of children, preferably high up in a locked cupboard.
• Use cupboard locks to keep small children away from potentially dangerous products.
• Always store household cleaning chemicals in their original containers.
• Replace lids and put all products away immediately after use.
• Dispose of unwanted household cleaning products safely.
• Bedtime can also be medicine time for poorly little ones. Lock it away afterwards so it’s not in reach - even if it does have a child resistant cap.
• Be aware of adult medicine too. Tablets in your handbag can be tempting for an inquisitive toddler.
• Keep all medication out of reach, preferably in a locked cupboard.
• Common garden chemicals, such as slug pellets, solvents, paint or plant food, can all be deadly if swallowed by children. Be sure to put away all chemicals when you’ve finished with them. A locked shed is the safest place.
• Some garden plants, such as bright red yew berries, laburnum pods and foxgloves, are especially attractive to small children. They’re also incredibly toxic, possibly leading to death. Always read the label carefully if you’re buying new plants. If you’re unsure about the existing plants in your garden, visit a flower shop or garden centre for more advice.
• Also look out for alcohol, raw meat and animal faeces, especially cat and dog poo.

Choking
Choking is a leading cause of death for children under the age of three. Make sure you –

• Always cut up food - Babies and young children can choke on small, sticky or slippery foods. Always cut foods like tomatoes, grapes and blackberries into quarters. Make sure sausages are cut into very small pieces.
• Keep small objects out of little hands - Babies and toddlers examine things around them by putting them in their mouths. Keep surfaces clear of small toys like building bricks and marbles, and always clean up after playing, especially if you have older children.
• Sit them down to eat - Children are more likely to choke if they slip or trip while eating. Make sure children sit down to eat and drink, and not lie down, walk or run.
• Stay within arm’s reach - Always supervise babies and young children.

Falls 
Falls are one of the most common accidents in the home. While it’s not always possible to stop them, you can take steps to help prevent them:

• Never place furniture near windows, especially in bedrooms. It’s amazing what toddlers can use as a ladder.
• Make sure all upstairs windows have a window restrictor fitted. This allows windows to open enough to allow fresh air in, but not children out.
• Keep stairs free from clutter that could cause you or your little one to slip.
• Fit wall mounted safety gates at the top AND bottom of the stairs.
• Stairs should be carefully maintained. Damaged or worn carpet should be repaired or removed.
• Make sure balustrades are strong and do not have any footholds for climbing.
• Stairs should always be well lit.
• Never leave babies unattended on raised surfaces.
• Do not place baby bouncers on raised surfaces - they could fall off with the movement of the baby.
• Always change nappies on the floor, rather than a high table top or sofa.
• Always use a securely fitted five-point harness in a pram, pushchair or highchair.
• Keep garden play equipment like swings, slides and climbing frames well-maintained.

Bath time
Although bath time can be a fun activity, accidents can happen. It’s important to take a few simple steps to keep your little people safe.

Children’s skin is thinner than adults so they’re more at risk of scalds from hot water. When filling a bath, run cold water first and then add hot water afterwards. Mix the water well to make sure there aren't any hot spots which could scald your child.

As the temperature can change quickly, put your little one in the bath only once you’ve finished running it and checked the temperature. (It’s true that you’re more likely to feel if it’s too hot if you use your elbow).

A thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) controls the temperature of water as it comes into the bath so that it’s hot enough to enjoy a good soak, but not hot enough to scald. If you don’t already have one, you might want to think about getting one fitted.

• Always stay within arm’s reach of your little one when they’re in the bath. Wet soapy babies are slippery. If they slide down, or roll over, they can’t always right themselves, and you won’t always hear them trying. So even if the phone rings, or the doorbell goes, stay where you can see them.
• Baby bath seats might look helpful, but by leaving your hands free they can provide a false sense of security. As babies can drown quickly, quietly, and in only a few centimetres of water, you’re better off without one – supervision really is key.
• Energetic toddlers and wet, slippy baths don’t go well together! A non-slip bath mat, or stickers, can help avoid a nasty fall.
• Remember, when it comes to dangerous medicines, cosmetics and cleaning products, take action today, put them away - high up or in a cabinet equipped with a safety lock.

   
Bed time
Taking a few simple steps can ensure that your child’s bedroom is a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

• Children can easily get tangled up in dangling blind cords, which can choke them. Don’t use blinds with looped cords in a child’s bedroom. If you have blinds with cords elsewhere in your home, wrap the cords up and keep them out of reach using a “cleat”.
• Nappy sacks like other plastic bags, can be dangerous. Find a place for them that is not in reach.
• If there’s a rug in your child’s room, taping down the underside can stop a fall.
• Keep babies’ cots free from clutter like soft toys, cot bumpers and soft, pliable bedding. These can mould around a baby’s face and lead to suffocation.
• Buy a new cot mattress, or - if using a second-hand mattress - carefully check that it's clean, dry and free from cracks or tears. It should fit the cot snugly, with no gaps.
• Choose a cot that meets the British safety standard (BSEN716) as it will have been designed to reduce the number of accidental deaths due to suffocation and strangulation.
• Cots with bars on all four sides can allow air to circulate freely. The bars should be vertical. If they are horizontal your baby could use them as a ladder to climb out. They should also be no more than 6.5cm apart so your baby can’t get stuck between them.
• Second-hand cots should be approached with caution. Those from before 1973 may contain lead-based paint. If there is a drop-side mechanism, check it works properly. Also look out for any old stickers or decorations that could come loose and become a choking hazard.
• Babies are less able to control their temperature, so the cot shouldn’t be near a radiator or sunny window.
• Putting babies at the bottom of the cot (so their feet touch the end) can stop them squirming down and suffocating under bedding.
• Cot bumpers can do far more harm than good. Not only can the ribbon strangle kids, the bumper itself can be used by children to climb out of the cot. All-in-all, you’re better off without them.
• Never use a pillow with a baby less than 12 months old, there is no benefit to baby and it could cause suffocation.
• While we know it’s impossible to watch a child all the time, you should still never leave a baby unattended on a raised surface, such as a bed. It only takes a moment for them to roll off, and the results can be devastating.
• Electric blankets or hot water bottles can be bad news for babies. If you are worried about the cot being too cold you could use one that is removed before the baby goes in.
• Babies who overheat are at an increased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). They can get too hot because the room is too hot, or because they have too much bedding or clothing. The ideal room temperature is between 16 and 20ºC.
• The best way to keep babies safe when they’re sleeping is in a cot of their own. Some babies have been accidentally suffocated by their parents while co-sleeping/bed-sharing. The risk increases if you’ve been drinking alcohol, smoking or taking drugs, or if your baby was born prematurely.
• Because of the risk of suffocation, use blankets or a lightweight sleeping bag (without a hood) for children under 12 months old, rather than a duvet or quilt.

Getting your home security right

The main function of your home security is twofold. It needs to be a deterrent to intruders and where it fails to deter a would-be burglar it needs to prevent entry to your property.

There is a third aspect to your security, monitoring your property to alert either you or the emergency services of attempts at illicit entry. Nowadays it’s all about being Smart.

The basis of home security is a good set of locks on doors and windows.

There are several types of lock to choose from.

The mortice deadlock is one of the most common types of door lock. It needs a key to lock it and to open it. Mortice denotes that the lock is set into the door. The levers inside the lock are pushed up in relation to the shape of the key to allow the bolt to move. The more levers the better but five is the maximum for residential locks currently. The deadlock is the bolt that slides into the doorframe to secure the door.

Mortice sash locks have a deadlock, but they also have a latch bolt. This means that the door can be opened from the inside with a latch when the deadlock is not engaged. It is still secure from the outside.

Rim locks are like mortice deadbolts but are surface mounted rather than recessed into the door. The box contains a lock and a latch. Rim locks are usually fitted where the door is too thin to admit a mortice and are less secure.

Key operated multi-point locking systems are found on modern uPVC and composite doors. The system bolts the door into the frame and locks it at various points.

Night latches – sometimes referred to as Yale Locks although Yale is a brand name – secure the door as soon as it’s closed. They can be opened from the outside by a key and can be deadlocked from the inside by sliding a ‘snib’ button into place. This type of lock is fitted to the surface of the door.

Securing doors

Fit a five-lever mortice dead lock which conforms to British Standard 3621 or European Standard EN 12209.

Avoid glazed panels if you can and ensure that where you have glazed panels they are laminated or toughened glass.

Fit a spy hole and a chain limiter.

Fit a five-lever sash lock half way up the back door and make sure it conforms to the appropriate British or European standard. Supplement the lock with mortice sash bolts at the top and bottom of the door.

Use extra locks on French windows and patio doors, such as multi-locking system. These kinds of doors are a burglar’s favourite way to get into your home.

Securing windows

Modern windows will probably have latches that are already fitted with locks. Older windows may not so you may need to retro-fit locks. Sash locks are fine, but you will need to keep the keys to hand in case of emergency.

Fit window alarms - much cheaper than a full-on alarm system. They are triggered by vibrations on the window glass and have sirens which emit 100 decibels.

Good deterrents include a visible alarm box connected to a good alarm system, CCTV camera systems and exterior lighting.

There are several types of alarms. These are bells-only alarms, dialler burglar alarms, smart-house security systems and monitoring contracts. They can either be traditional wired systems, or wireless. What you choose will depend on budget and location. You could also install exterior dummy alarm boxes. You need to make them look as authentic as possible. Make sure it has an LED light. Which has some great advice on alarms. 

CCTV systems fitted in a visible location make a great deterrent. You can keep an eye on your home and loved ones as well as monitoring for intruders. You can buy cameras on their own, or as part of a whole security package. Costs range from around £20 for one wired camera with a night-vision range of 5 metres, to around £450 for a vandal-proof camera. You will need to purchase equipment to accompany the camera, depending on what type you choose, such as connectors and a digital video recorder (DVR) to store and view footage. Again, Which has some great advice on the topic.

Exterior lighting provides a great night-time deterrent. Security lighting can be passive infrared, which illuminates when triggered by movement to deter intruders. Dusk to dawn lamps can remain on all night to provide added protection. Exterior lighting will light up fences and paths for safety and help to keep sheds and outbuildings secure.

It’s always a good idea to have alarm systems, CCTV systems and exterior lighting professionally installed for best results. This will also help the next time you are negotiating premiums with your insurance company.

There are now alternatives to the traditional burglar alarm system. A new wave of smart home security systems has hit the market. Smart systems combine many of the features of a traditional burglar alarm with the ability to monitor, control and interact with your home from an app on your smartphone or tablet. A smart home security system is a set of an internet-connected security gadgets, which typically include a combination of wireless security cameras, sirens, motion detectors, door locks, and sensors that detect when a door or window has been opened. You can also connect lighting, heating, blinds etc.

Welcome to the future of home security!

Allison Homes sponsors First Time Buyers Readers' Awards

We were delighted to sponsor the ‘Best estate agent for first time buyers’ category at yesterday’s First Time Buyers Readers' Awards at the Waldorf Hotel in London.

A panel of expert judges shortlisted three entries from estate agents who offer ‘that little bit extra’ for first time buyers – and the readers of First Time Buyer magazine voted for the winner.

Their choice was SiteSales Property Group, a London-based agent which has worked with developers of some ‘big name’ schemes such as the former 2012 London Olympics Athletes Village, the redevelopment of Walthamstow Stadium and the redevelopment of the former Dr Barnardo’s children’s home in Barkingside (which also won an award yesterday as the ‘most innovative redevelopment of an existing property’).

Runner up in the ‘Best estate agent for first time buyers’ category was Belvoir Bromley.

Allison Homes director of marketing Helen Jones was at the awards event to present the winners and runners-up with their trophies. That's Helen on the right in our photo with celebrity host at the event Jonnie Irwin (presenter of TV shows such as A Place in the Sun) on the left with representatives of SiteSales Property Group.

Want to help shape the future of housing – and net yourself £1000? Read on!

We have launched a survey to get the thoughts and experiences of house buyers. We are keen to hear from anyone currently searching for a new house or who has purchased a new house in the past twelve months. 

Complete our survey and we will enter you into our prize draw for a chance to win £500. Agree to a follow up interview and you will be entered in a second draw to win a further £500.

Go to www.tiny.cc/larkfleet-survey to take part in the survey.

The team at Allison Homes – and at our sister company Larkfleet Homes - is always working to develop new ways to provide the best possible products and services to our customers. We want to know what house buyers really think of the housing market and what they want from housebuilders like us.

Whether your search and purchase involved a brand-new home or an established property, and whether you looked at an Allison home or not, your views will help to shape the way we meet the needs of home buyers in the future.

We have teamed up with leading media organisations First Time Buyer Magazine, What House and What Mortgage to develop and deliver this comprehensive survey to find out what you, our customer, is really looking for in a new home.

The survey covers everything from the type of property people are looking to buy or have bought (whether it’s for their own use or an investment) through to topics such as location, size and energy efficiency.

It takes less than ten minutes to complete at www.tiny.cc/larkfleet-survey. The survey is being managed by independent marketing company OlsenMetrix Marketing and all the data collected will be anonymous.

Why buying new is your best option

According to the Homebuilders’ Federation, over 90 per cent of new homebuyers said that they would buy a new build home again; while over 86 per cent said they would recommend their home builder to a friend.

Customer satisfaction levels for new homes compare favourably with any other industry or product and help explain why demand for new homes continues to increase.

Just like the rest of the industry Allison Homes is committed to addressing customer service and building up quality levels.

As part of this process we are undertaking our own customer satisfaction survey. Click here to take the survey and help us to raise our customer service levels even further.

But why buy new in the first place? A new home is fresh, bright, clean and untouched by previous owners’ choice of décor. It is a blank canvas on whichyou can stamp your own style and personality.

New homes are also much more energy efficient than older homes. This means they are not only better for the environment but can also save their owners hundreds of pounds a year in energy bills.

There are lots of ways to buy a new home! Sometimes, buying a house can seem like an impossible dream. But people looking to buy new have a range of options, such as Help to Buy or part exchange schemes. These can help make the goal of homeownership more affordable and completely achievable.

You can be sure that you will get a high build quality. New homes are built to a higher standard than ever before. From state-of-the-art kitchens to modern double and triple glazing, the quality of a new home compared to old is evident in many ways.

New homes are designed for modern living. They incorporate a range of modern designs and technologies to provide for the needs of today’s home owner. To upgrade an older house to the standards of a new build home could cost up to £45,000.

New homes are also more economical to manage. New homes built in the UK are roughly 50 per cent cheaper to run per year than the equivalent Victorian house. That could mean an annual saving of £440 for a 1-bed ground floor flat, and £1,410 for a 4-bed detached house.

By buying a new home you will be doing your bit for the environment. New homes are environmentally friendly. Energy efficiency standards and CO2 emissions in new homes are some of the best in the world. On average, this equates to them being roughly 65 per cent more energy efficient than an equivalent Victorian house.

Lastly, the peace of mind you get with a new home is more than just knowing you’re buying quality and getting excellent value for money. It’s also about being confident in the product you’re buying and knowing that you’re protected should anything happen. New homebuyers are protected by their builder’s guarantee as well an independent 10-year warranty. Customers also benefit from the peace of mind given by Consumer Codes.

Water water everywhere

It seems that it’s been raining since Christmas. There’s water everywhere. The rivers are overflowing their banks. Out in the countryside the dykes and ditches are flowing torrents in many places and fields are waterlogged. 

Waterlogging in the garden can cause over-watering for plants, drowning them. The soil can become compacted, making drainage worse and these conditions are ideal for various fungal conditions to flourish.


For many off us the wet weather has kept us out of the garden – neglect causing problems with the soil, plants and lawns.

But don’t despair, even in wet weather there are things we can do in the garden to keep it looking great when the dry weather eventually comes. Here is a list of some of the things you can do to keep your garden in tip top nick in the wet:

• Dig up waterlogged potted plants, tidy them up, remove dead or dying roots and stems and repot them in fresh well-drained soil filled pots.
• Apply mulch to beds to protect against heavy rainfall.
• Incorporate plenty of organic matter into clay soils to improve drainage.
• Plant water-loving plants like willows, dogwoods, birch, and ash.
• Install water butts and rainwater kits to save and recycle rainwater.
• Wet weather will encourage pests such as slugs and snails so try to keep on top of these - but remember to use slug pellets responsibly.

For more tips on gardening in all weathers visit the Royal Horticultural Society’s website.

As the spring gets on hopefully the current conditions should give way to some warmer, drier conditions. Fingers crossed!

Rainy days and Mondays

To paraphrase the lyrics of the Carpenters’ hit song; ‘rainy days and Mondays always get us down’, and there seems to have been an awful lot of them recently – rainy days that is, not Mondays.

When the weather is consistently dreary it can be difficult to stay upbeat. But have no fear; the team at Allison Homes has been putting heads together to come up with some favourite ways to keep on the bright side:

• Get some exercise. Try to get out in natural light during the day as much as possible and remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing, so wrap up and take your waterproofs.
• If you really can’t get outside because it’s raining cats and dogs, try doing a pleasurable activity. Watch a funny film, read a good book, play a game or do something creative.
• Use bright, full spectrum bulbs in overhead lighting at home. Only use these in the morning though. Use muted lights at night because bright lighting will affect the quality of your sleep.
• Have your vitamin D levels checked. Low levels of this vitamin can indicate you’re not exposing yourself to sufficient sunlight. To help cheer yourself up take supplements if you find you are not getting enough vitamin D naturally.
• Eat a healthy diet low in carbohydrates with plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean meat, fish (especially fish rich in omega 3).
• Get lots of sleep.

If you are affected by depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder, in the first instance you should seek the advice of your GP.

Take heart, we’re heading towards May now and the Met Office tells us that good weather is just around the corner so happy days will be here again.

Express yourself through painting

Series 2 of the BBC’s Big Painting Challenge started on BBC One last weekend. In the programme, passionate amateur artists undertake an intensive six-week painting 'boot camp' to hone their skills in a bid to become the overall champion.

Artists, whether amateur or professional, will have a certain style with which they are comfortable. This can say a lot about their personalities.

Many of us, though, are less keen to put brush to canvass and prefer to buy the art that brightens up the walls of our homes. But what we choose can still say a lot about us.

A study that was carried out by the University of Amsterdam found that people who like abstract art are most likely to be risk-taking sensation seekers. Those who prefer traditional figurative pictures tend towards order, rules and hierarchy at home and in the workplace.

This piece in the Huffington Post  is a bit of fun and shows how famous paintings can reflect your personality.

And if you have a creative streak and enjoy creating certain types of images, your personality may be broadly similar depending on the style you adopt.

If you are looking for artwork to brighten up your walls have a look here for some inspiration.