You don’t see many phone boxes, or booths, as they call them in North America, these days. We all have mobiles now, and the humble red phone box has disappeared from many streets and gone on to find new leases of life. One of the films that hastened that demise has to be the 2002 film Phonebooth. It will have you wanting to visit a Vodafone Carrickmacross store using https://kingcommunications.ie/vodafone-stores-near-me/carrickmacross/ as soon as possible.

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Colin Farrell’s character Stu Shepard is not a nice man. He is married and having an affair (with Katie Holmes, so it is a little understandable). He doesn’t want his wife to know about his affair, so he pops into a Phonebooth to call Katie Holmes and arrange a date. As he does this, a Pizza delivery man appears and gives him a pizza. Stu reacts angrily and finishes his call to Katie. When the call ends, the phone rings. Stupidly, he answers it.

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The voice on the other end tells him he is an evil man, and he has to tell them what’s going on. ‘Shan’t”, says Stu. The voice on the line says ok, but I’ve got a sniper rifle pointed at your phone booth, so I think you should reconsider it. Again Stu is dubious, but this changes when the Caller fires a bullet, with pinpoint accuracy, past his head. He then rings Katie Holmes and admits to being married. However, that is only the start of the events in the Phonebooth.

You might think you’re going to have to spend a fortune getting your car in top MOT-passing condition. Fear not, bettering your chances of passing an MOT with flying colours could be easier than you think. By carrying out a few simple checks, some very basic DIY and even throwing in the odd service means a higher chance of passing your MOT and spreading the cost instead of splurging on everything all at once when the car fails.

Something else that helps to keep your car in good condition is storing it in a garage – a garage provides your car with security, as well as protection from the elements. Make sure that your garage is in good condition and doing a good job – secure garage doors like these from this garage doors Gloucester based company www.upandoverdoorsltd.co.uk/garage-doors/garage-doors-gloucester/

Here are the things to check to keep on top of your car maintenance:

Exterior Checks:

Make sure your registration plates are securely attached to the car and clean.

Ensure your reg plate meets font regulations.

Check your exterior for any loose part or anything hanging off, generally checking that everything is in good order. Any sharp edges will need dealing with, as they are an instant failure.

Check your brake fluid levels and that you have enough fuel as the garage will need to complete an emissions test.

Check oil levels too.

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Interior Checks:

Having your car valeted or cleaning it yourself will not only make you feel more positive about the car but if the mechanic sees the car is cared for, he or she might be more likely to ignore a small problem.

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Check that all your warning lights come on and off when switching the engine on. If any stay on while the car is running, this will lead to a negative point in the MOT. Warning lights

Be sure your seats are not moving around and are locked safely into position. A damaged or excessively frayed seatbelt will also lead to failure. Ensure that all seatbelts click in and out properly and securely.

Ensure all mirrors are clean and in the correct positions and should all be visible and unblocked from the driver’s seat position.

Mechanical checks to your vehicle should include:

Pressing down on each corner of your vehicle to check for suspension issues. These are often tough to spot but you might know something’s up if you hear creaking sounds when driving.

Exhaust – have a good look to be sure that nothing is loose or hanging off. Ensure there are no leaks, and the silencer is working.

Emissions are a legal requirement and will depend a great deal on the age and type of car you have. If you notice a lot of smoke coming from your exhaust, then you likely have an issue with emissions.

When running a business, there are a number of things that you need to consider, such as the structure of your company, insurance and health and safety procedures. One such procedure is ensuring that your business is fire secure. There are a number of ways that you can help to prevent fires from occurring and ensure that you have processes in place in the event of an incident. Here are some ideas for you to take a look through.

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Fire assessments – the best place to start is with a fire risk assessment. This helps you to identify where any gaps may exist in your fire procedures. You can then look at ways in which you can mitigate these risks and identify whether you need to purchase any equipment or training for any staff members. The best way to get an assessment like this completed is to use a Fire Risk Assessment Bristol company such as keloscape.co.uk/areas-we-cover/fire-safety-consultancy-bristol/. They will be able to talk you through the process and help you find any solutions that you might need to reduce any risks that you may have identified.

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Fire alarms – it is compulsory for businesses to have fire alarms in place, and as a part of the risk assessment mentioned above, you should ensure that you regularly check that these are in full working order. In some cases, you will also need to carry out regular fire evacuations to ensure that your alarms are working and that your fire processes are adequate. The frequency at which you carry out these fire drills will depend on the type of business that you operate.

Sprinklers – in some businesses where there are high-risk items, you might want to think about having sprinklers installed. This will, of course, depend on the type of business that you operate. It may be appropriate for you to discuss this with the company that helps you complete your fire risk assessment. One of the common places that sprinklers are installed is in commercial kitchens.

Equipment – your risk assessment will identify whether there are any pieces of equipment that you are missing or need to replace. Some of the most important ones are fire extinguishers. There are different types of extinguishers that are used to tackle different fire sources, such as electrical ones. As a part of your risk assessment, you should check these on an annual basis.

CCTV installation companies can help install CCTV.  Although CCTV cameras in homes and businesses are becoming more and more common, there can however be some disadvantages to installing CCTV.

The first disadvantage is that privacy can be an issue. There have been cases where employees at workplaces have objected to installing cameras without their permission as it can be seen as an ‘invasion of privacy.’ A few people have resorted to suing their employers because of this very reason.

Critics of CCTV cameras have argued that employers who install these cameras have no trust in their employees and assume that the worst is going to happen, so they need to be monitored.

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Another disadvantage is that they can be expensive. Proper cameras usually cost hundreds, even thousands, of pounds depending on the features and number of cameras bought. Having them installed and regularly maintained is an added cost on top. Amateurly installing cameras could risk a later fault and extra expense.

With technology advancing every day, it may be easy for a criminal to hack into the cameras and disconnect them, even manually. Worst case scenario, if a criminal is able to hack into the security system, they may be able to manipulate the cameras and go through the system undetected. This leaves security cameras vulnerable to damage and cyber- attacks.  Cyber criminals can then attempt to hijack your identity and apply for finance.  Companies like https://www.w2globaldata.com/regulatory-compliance-solutions-and-software/aml-id-checks/ can offer some level of support when it comes to AML ID Check but prevention is of course the best solution.

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Cameras cannot stop a crime from happening, even though they can be a useful tool to record footage which can be used later to provide evidence. A police alarm system would be of better use.

For centuries wood has been used in the construction of buildings, mainly due to its availability and its many properties that make it ideal for this.

Providing a strong and durable structure to build around wood has been a key resource for a large amount of new builds.

We examine below what type of wood should be used and what benefits it has.  Valuing a new build property can be difficult to do so a homebuyers survey cost is a fee well worth investing in.  https://www.samconveyancing.co.uk/news/house-survey/homebuyers-survey-cost-9958 have a dedicated page here that discusses it in more detail.

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Different types of wood

Hardwoods, such as ash, beech, birch, cherry, maple, oak and walnut, produce a denser and heavier lumber than can be achieved with softwoods, which come from trees like cedar, fir, pine, redwood and spruce. When building walls, floors and ceilings hardwoods are seen as the better option, whereas softwoods are typically used for doors, window frames and furniture.

The woods are then graded according to the number of defects present on a board.

The benefits of using wood

Traditionally in the UK, homeowners have looked to brick built properties for a long term solution, but wood is now making steady progress within the residential construction industry, especially among self-builders.

One of the main benefits of using wood is that the frames can be constructed around 30% faster than using bricks, which reduces the time taken to complete the work. This is a reason why it’s so popular for self-building projects as homeowners need to be able to live in their new home as soon as they can.

Wood is an extremely strong material and can be bent under pressure without it breaking, but it is also very light, which makes it an ideal choice for use as a building material. It has fantastic acoustic properties, which enable it to absorb sounds and it has resistance against electrical currents.

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There are many different building materials that can be used in the construction of houses, but the versatility and properties of lumber give it unique features and make it an excellent material for a range of settings.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) spread through intimate contact. During sexual activity, they can be passed on to other people.

STIs are caused by bacteria and viruses that can infect humans and other animals. Some are contracted through direct contact with the affected partner. Use of condoms and dental dams can help protect against catching an infection. Herpes can be spread through oral sex. It is not known which organ is the source of the transmission. However, it is possible to contract hepatitis from skin-to-skin contact, sharing needles, and other contaminated objects.

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Some STIs are more common than others. These conditions may be spread through skin-to-skin contact, bodily fluids or via a shared needle. While most STIs are acquired through sexual contact, some are passed through non-sexual means, such as blood transfusions and shared needles. Symptoms of sexually transmitted disease may be absent, making the infection go undiagnosed until a partner becomes infected with the disease. To be on the safe side, consider Chlamydia Testing Kits London from a site like Checkurself, a provider of Chlamydia Testing Kits London

STIs are usually spread through sexual activity. During the early stages, treatment is possible. Although there is no cure for HIV, there are excellent treatments now and a good way to prevent an infection is to avoid unprotected sex. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, an STI can be present and the longer it is left untreated, the more damage it could cause in the long term.

STIs can be acquired through contact with infected bodily fluids or mucous membranes. Some of these diseases can be passed from person to person through vaginal or anal sex. Some STIs can be passed from mouth to genitals and vice versa. Some of these infections can be painful or uncomfortable, but they are generally treatable. When you’re infected, you’ll need to see a doctor to access the right treatment, which in many cases will include a course of antibiotics.

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STIs are common but they don’t always cause symptoms. Unfortunately, if you don’t get treatment, they can lead to serious health problems, so it’s important to get tested. STI testing isn’t a big deal. Most STIs can be treated easily with readily available medications, so it’s vital to get tested. The best way to prevent becoming infected is to always practice safe sex.

Although most STIs don’t have any symptoms, some may cause painful genitals, so it’s important to see a doctor if you suspect that you have a sexually transmitted disease. Some symptoms are mild and harmless, while others can be very serious. In some cases, a person can have asymptomatic STIs, but the symptoms will vary from case to case so if in doubt, get it checked out.

Ireland is a popular travel destination for people wanting to explore history and culture. If you wish to buy yourself something memorable from the Emerald Isle or give a gift, there are so many ideas that you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Whisky for friends and family

Ireland is synonymous with whisky, and a gift of one of the country’s famous brands is ideal for a friend. If they have impeccable taste, they will appreciate the grandeur of Ireland’s finest beverages such as Jameson, Tullamore, Wild Geese or Bushmills.

Gifts brought to book for loved ones

Ireland is associated with classic literature, and figures such as James Joyce and Samuel Beckett are known by many scholars around the world. Books such as Ulysses bought from a traditional Irish bookshop make good gifts for the well-read. You can also buy bookmarks illustrated with quotations from many of the great Irish books.

Crystal makes a sparkling gift idea

A piece of quality crystal from either of the popular crystal companies, Galway and Waterford, will be appreciated. Crystal glasses and giftware can be found in various outlets, and they make excellent presents for those who like to display crystal in their home.

Aran sweaters keep out the chill

Aran sweaters are a great gift idea and they’re versatile and comfortable, especially during the winter months. Quality sweaters can be obtained from suppliers. Chunky, warm and long-lasting, they have recently been modelled by celebrities, which certainly adds to the appeal.

Making music with instrument gifts

Perhaps someone in your family loves music? If so, consider buying a traditional Irish instrument. Musical instruments are perfect souvenirs for children and adults. The bodhrán and whistle are perhaps two of the best-known on the island of Ireland. The Irish bodhrán is created using goatskin and can be heard in action at ceilís, which are traditional Irish get-togethers during which people dance to Irish folk music.

Lovely linen comes in the form of tea towels and aprons

One of the most famous textiles companies is Ulster Weavers which can be found in Northern Ireland. A range of high q-uality linen and textile items are produced by the company, which is well established and respected. From aprons to tea towels and other home wares, Ulster Weavers gifts can be found in most souvenir shops around Ireland.

When it comes to helping your teenager to navigate through life there are a number of things that as parents and carers that we want to ensure we share with them. Having these discussions are not always easy but they are incredibly important in creating a safe space for your teenager, developing a strong bond with them and enabling them to discuss their feelings in an open and honest manner. This has always been the case but is much more important today with the influences of social media and the number of teenagers and young adults that are suffering with anxiety and mental health issues. Here are some of the things that you may want to talk about with your teen: Read more