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  • Five things you probably didn’t know about STI’s

    An STI is a sexually transmitted infection that causes a virus in your body which you may not know that you have. Quite often you will be unaware of any ill effects and will not be aware you have contracted an STI.

    Home STI Kits Bexley and free sexual advice is readily available to its local catchment.  If you want some free useful information about STI’s, and their symptoms pay a visit.  Other clinics throughout the UK are also available.

    Home testing

    If you live in London STI testing kits are available to order for testing at home. These include a test kit for HIV, Chlamydia, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis and Gonorrhoea.

    What don’t you know?

    So, you will probably know the main facts about STI’s and how they are transmitted but what about some things you probably didn’t know? Here are five little-known facts:

    1 According to the Independent, young people under the age of 25 are more likely to contract an STI. If you are female, then you also have a much higher chance of catching an STI than you have of falling pregnant when having unprotected sex. Also, having this type of sex with a partner of unknown STI’s is the highest risk you could possibly take.

    2 Whilst HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) isn’t at the forefront of most young people’s minds, it is a fact that 25 million people around the world have died from this virus since 1981. The most advanced stage of the HIV virus is when a person develops AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). People do not generally die of AIDS but of illnesses that have taken advantage of a weakened immune system.

    3 There is a very rare sexually transmitted disease lurking out there called Donovanosis which will destroy the tissue of the penis if left untreated. Once you have contracted this disease, small nodules, which are painless, will appear 10-40 days after exposure.

    4 Did you know that if you leave some STI’s untreated then it is possible to die from them? These diseases can also cause birth defects and miscarriages, severe pain and infertility.

    5 Many sexually transmitted diseases can be transmitted through oral sex.

    Be aware, have safe sex!

     

  • The Origins of Rubber – From the Amazon to Our Homes

    Many ancient civilisations of the world were making remarkable leaps in all areas long before these things became known to the rest of the world – for example, the Romans were famed for many things, from their road construction and of course underfloor heating, the ancient Egyptians constructed the spectacular pyramids in a time when construction machinery was not invented, and the ancient Chinese were the first to be using paper money to pay for things.

    The native people of South and Central America, like the Aztecs and the Mayans were also ahead of their time in many ways. Many of the things that they enjoyed were not discovered by the rest of the world for centuries. For example, chocolate was a delicacy that was enjoyed long before most other countries were even aware of it, but it is still as popular as ever today all around the world.

    Something else that we consider a relatively modern material that was being used in South America for a long time unbeknownst to everywhere else, is rubber. This is a material that is commonly used in all sorts of ways nowadays – from vehicle components to heating, there are lots of rubber items that we depend on in our daily lives without really giving it much thought. Modern rubber moulding companies like this www.meadex.co.uk/rubber-moulding/ can create all sorts of components, from engineering to industrial use items. However, before any of this was thought of, the people of South America had worked out how to get rubber from a native tree…

    The rubber tree only grows in South America – the Amazon Rainforest and warm, wet tropical climate is the perfect home for it, and the native people worked out that this was no ordinary tree. They were able to get a liquid called latex from the tree by ‘rubber tapping’ – extracting the sap through a bore hole in the trunk. Once this had been collected, it could be mixed with a juice from other plants. Depending on the rations used this would affect the properties of the rubber. From bouncing balls to shoes, the material was used for a wide variety of things – the chemical in the vines which were used for mixing made the solid rubber much less brittle.

  • What is Hoarding?

    Many of us can have homes that get a little bit cluttered every now and then, but there is a difference between a home that is a little untidy, and having a condition called hoarding. Although we have seen the programmes on television showing people who have very cluttered homes which are very untidy and often dangerous, this in many cases is actually a mental health condition which needs to be treated.

    Hoarding is different from untidiness, as people who hoard actually feel compelled to keep hold of things, even if you already have a lot of the same thing or feel very emotionally attached to possessions. Many people who hoard have great difficulty throwing things out, even if it is what most people would see as rubbish, and this can also lead to conflict with family members who get frustrated with many of these behaviours.

    There are lots of reasons why people might become hoarders. Some of the things that people believe include not wanting to throw anything away in case it harms the environment, having an issue with getting rid of things as it is seen as wasteful and seeing items as special and sentimental so having trouble getting rid of them. Hoarding becomes a problem when it starts to have a detrimental effect on a person’s life.

    As well as hoarding objects, other types of hoarding include animal hoarding, which is when someone keeps more animals than they can care for but believes that they are caring for them, and also digital hoarding, which involves keeping vast amounts of photographs or documents on computers, fearing deleting them.

    Someone who struggles with hoarding will almost certainly need help and support to get over it, it is very difficult to do this alone. There is support available for those who are trying to deal with hoarding. It is worth getting everything organised in advance, like contacting places like this Swansea skip hire company pendragonskiphire.co.uk/swansea-skip-hire/ to arrange to have a skip ready to use.

    It is important to ensure that people struggling with hoarding have plenty of help and support, and you may need a lot of patience, as it is not an easy thing to get over. It is worth consulting a doctor and making sure that the correct medical support is in place, as it can be related to other mental health conditions.

  • Everything you need to know about central heating pump problems

    Central heating pumps are the pumps that force water throughout your central heating system. They pump hot water from the boiler into the radiators in your home and then back to the boiler again.

    The water that comes out of the boiler is hot and heats the radiators, which then heat the atmosphere around them. As this happens, the water cools and then goes back into the boiler, where it is heated and then recirculated into the radiators.

    Common Problems

    The housing of the pump is hot. This is normally a good sign that the pump needs to be replaced. Pumps should be warm.
    A rattling or humming noise is coming from the pump. This could mean that the pump is loose. You should check the mounting, securing any screws that are loose.
    There’s a grating or knocking noise. This is another good indication that something isn’t right; you may need to replace the pump.

    Only some radiators are heating. For example, if only the upstairs radiators are working, it may mean that you need to turn the pressure up. Alternatively, it could be that the pump is not powerful enough and is on its way out.  Noises are coming from the central heating. This could be due to air in the pump, which will need bleeding.
    Water is being heated, but the central heating isn’t working. This is often an issue when the central heating hasn’t been used for a while. This can be remedied by giving the pump a gentle tap to free up a sticking valve or pump.
    The pump is silent and seems like it isn’t working. Is the pump switched on? Is there a fuse near the pump that has tripped?
    The pump switches on and then off again. This could be down to a faulty thermostat.
    The pump keeps breaking down. This could be due to a blockage caused by debris.

    Call in the experts

    Image Credit

    If you are still unable to find a solution, call in professionals like Boiler Repair Cheltenham based www.blu-fish.co.uk/gas-heating-services-cheltenham/boiler-repair-cheltenham/ If you do decide not to enlist boiler installation Bristol experts to carry out any repairs yourself, make sure that the central heating is turned off.  Turn off the electricity supply to the pump, and always be prepared for water spills.

     

  • When plaster becomes damaged what can you do?

    Before you begin any painting or any decorating job it is a good idea to check that the plaster on your wall is up to scratch. The plaster is the canvas that you will be painting your masterpiece on. Whatever you have planned, whether it is a simple wash of magnolia to a full on set of William Morris wallpaper, if the plaster is suspect then you might as well not bother.

    Plaster is a mixture of a variety of substances. These include gypsum, cement and lime for starters. This gives you a creamy kind of texture that you can smooth onto a wall. It will do two things. Firstly, it will cover up the brickwork so that you do not have a rough wall. This will give you something for your paint or wallpaper to be applied to.

    Conveyancing Maidstone based Sam Conveyancing are often brought in to inspect houses when they are up for sale so it’s always good to ensure the structural and aesthetical integrity of your home should you wish to place it on the market.

    Once the stuff is on the walls it should begin to set rock hard. It gives you a wall of skin and you should do this too. Rather than paint or wallpaper onto bare plaster it is an idea to paint it a pale neutral shade such as grey or white first.

  • Building a Pond for the Wildlife in your Back Garden

    Spring is on the horizon, and we are all thinking about getting back out into the garden – clearing up the ravages of winter and getting the garden looking great again is something that many people are thinking about at this time of the year, as we look forward to sunny summer days spent in a blooming garden.

    If you are hoping for a garden that is a relaxing and peaceful haven, as well as being very beneficial for local wildlife, a really great thing to add to the garden this spring is a pond. This is one of the best ways to encourage wildlife in your garden and by doing so helps those many species that are struggling to survive. As well as this, there is little better than spending time sitting outside on a summer’s day with the tranquil water of the pond nearby.

    To start with you need to find a suitable area for your pond. It doesn’t have to be huge, an area that has some sun as this is more likely to attract a range of species. The first thing to do is to mark out the area of the pond. If you are going to have water features and things like a rockery around the pond, also consider where you will put this.

    Once you have marked out the area for your pond, it is time to start digging! The sides should be level, but you ideally should create a pond that has a shallower area around the edge and gets deeper in the centre. This will help creatures get in and out of the pond with ease.

    When you have finished digging and are happy with the size and shape, as well as the depth of the pond, get all of the sharper pieces out of the bottom, like stones. Basically, anything that could potentially pierce the liner. Before putting the liner in, cover the bottom in a layer of sand approximately a few centimetres in thickness – then you can put your pond liner down.

    Once you have your liner fully covering the pond, you can tidy up the liner that is on the edge of the pond by covering it with rocks or cutting it off with scissors. Rocks are good as they will keep it securely in place. You can then put another layer of sand on top of the liner.

    Fill the pond with water after you have put the sand down – rainwater is best but you can use your hose if you don’t have a large supply of rainwater to use. The liner will stretch and change shape as it fills so keep an eye on it – try not to leave any liner exposed to the sun as this damages it.

    When full leave the pond for a couple of weeks, then visit somewhere like this plants for trade Kent based supplier Palmstead to stock up on plants that will be suitable for your pond, to add colour and of course for the wildlife to hide in.

  • The Benefits of Living in a Gated Property

    Having a gated property gives you a greater sense of security. The most common barrier on a property is a border fence but a gate can provide 24-hour security especially when installed with security cameras. A gated area is a safer haven for children because it prevents them from being exposed to anti-social elements and traffic. Some gated communities even install CCTV cameras to monitor the surroundings. All of these benefits make it worth choosing to live in a gated property.

    Another benefit of living in a gated property is the lower traffic. Since the traffic onto your property is restricted, it is safer to allow pets and children outside. There is also less chance of people trying to cut through the neighbourhood or through your property, which is much safer for children and senior citizens alike. The gates help protect these individuals from being struck by random cars or approached by strangers.

    If you live on a busy road, the amount of traffic that passes by and even use your drive to turn around in, for example, can cause a real issue for safety and security. There is less risk of a child getting injured in the street, which makes it safer for kids to play in the garden. For more details on what installation involves, consider an Electric Gate Company Cheltenham like completegateautomation.co.uk/

    The benefits of living in a gated home go beyond the security of the property. There is less noise and less air pollution, so residents are able to enjoy the peacefulness of nature in their own front garden. The environment is also more fresh and clean thanks to the presence of trees and other greenery that you can plant inside the enclosed space of your front garden and driveway. An electric gate is an excellent option if you’re looking for a more secure home. And it can’t hurt to look for one!

    Apart from a higher quality of life, a gated home also provides you with an exclusive feeling. Many people enjoy living in such a property because they feel like they are more secure and protected. A gated property feels like a castle and as they say, an Englishman’s home is his castle!

    In addition to the peace and quiet, gated homes are often located in more upscale neighbourhoods and have higher property values. Having a gated property is also an excellent investment in the future. It also helps to keep your home secure.

     

  • Four Ways to Improve Business Success

    Running a business is hard at times and you want it to be a success. If you are looking for things that will help your business, here are four important ingredients of a successful business…

    Attract Customers – Getting people to use your business is a really important part of making your business more successful. If you already have customers, you will want to get them to use your product or services in the future and have good customer retention rates, and also to grow you will want to attract more customers to use your business.

    Advertising and marketing are both important tools to use when doing this. Making people aware of your business and the products and services that you offer is one of the biggest parts of having a successful business. There are many forms of marketing and advertising, such as using the radio for adverts, or digital marketing like using social media platforms to target potential customers.

    Have Professional Advice – Having someone who can give you professional advice who has a lot of experience with business is key. This is useful whether you have been running your business for many years or just a few months. It is like having a fresh set of eyes that can look at your business objectively and advise you. Someone like this Stroud business coach www.randall-payne.co.uk/services/business-advisory/business-coaching will be able to ask you the right questions, give you food for thought and also advise you on how to make your business work better going forwards or how to grow it. Financial advisors are also good to have, as they will be able to help you with the financial aspects of running a business, which can take up a lot of time.

    Have the Right Staff – Having the right staff for your business is crucial. Making sure that you have staff who are right for the roles that they do is also important. You want to maximise the productivity of the business, and for it to be as good as it can be, this needs the power of the staff behind it. Investing in staff training and team building, helps you to get staff who work well together as a team, as well as having a good level of understanding of the business and their role within it. Getting to know people and being aware of their skills and expertise will also help you when it comes to delegating certain jobs to staff members.

    Come up with New Ideas – Making sure that new ideas are flowing all the time will prevent your business from stagnating. Maybe you could find new marketing ideas or introduce new products or services. Adapting and improving products and services that you already provide is also crucial. Get ideas of what people want and listen to the feedback from customers, as this will help you to realise what is working well and what isn’t, which means that you can make the necessary changes and keep on improving.

  • How to Spot Money Laundering

    Money laundering continues to plague financial systems all over the world. In the UK alone, it comes at a cost of 7 billion pounds to the country annually and is something that urgently requires cracking down on. (more…)

  • Do You Need a Financial Audit?

    Do you need a financial audit? While the process of performing a financial audit is not required for every company, there are situations when you may want to undergo one. For example, if you are planning to apply for a loan, you need to provide a complete set of financial statements. The report you receive will include an Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows, and Statement of Retained Earnings. Despite the importance of these documents, there are other reasons that you may need to have a professional audit done.

    Having an audit performed is not something you should put off until the last minute. Even if it is not your first time receiving an audit, it is important to have a team of experienced professionals available to assist you. An accountant will be able to help you get a thorough understanding of your company’s financial situation. While you’re still responsible for keeping your business’s records accurate, an audit will add a layer of excellence that will set you apart. For help with accounts, consider Accountants Bath from chippendaleandclark.com/accountant-in-bath/

    Choosing the right auditor for your business is a major decision and there are many things to consider. It is wise to hire a qualified certified accountant to perform your financial audit, as it is vital to ensure that the person who is doing it is qualified to do so. You should also be prepared to pay a higher fee, but an experienced and professional team can save you time and money in the long run.

    When you choose a financial audit, make sure that the people performing it are qualified. An experienced accounting professional can guide you and help you plan your finances. In addition to the auditor, a good financial advisor will work with your accounting team to work out any issues that might arise. This way, you’ll be sure that your records are accurate and your business is in top shape. A good accountant can also offer guidance and problem-solving services for your financial situation.

    A financial audit is a very important step for your business. If you have not yet had your finances reviewed, it is crucial for your company to know whether they are up to par. A competent accountant can help you with this process. They can assist you with the preparations. They will ensure that everything is up to standard.

    A financial audit is not fun, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience for you. A skilled accounting professional will help you stay organised and secure a qualified team. A thorough audit will ensure that your records are up to par and that you’re doing everything correctly. A good accountant will also have the necessary security measures to protect you and your customers. A well-run business is a good thing, and it won’t cause your employees to worry.