How to put up a shelf
What you need
Screws (may be provided with the shelf – if not then don’t get screws too long, around 40mm)
Pencil
Masonry plugs (rawl plugs)
Masonry drill (2mm wider than the screw width)
Hammer
Spirit level
A shelf and brackets
Step 1
Decide where you want your shelf to go, and using the spirit level draw a line in pencil where you want the bottom of the shelf to go. Don’t draw too hard. Put 1 of the brackets on the line so that it lines up with where you want the shelf to sit. Hold the bracket up and draw through the holes where the screw goes, so you know where to drill. Leave about 5 inches of overhang at the end of the shelf.
Now do the same with the other bracket, leaving a gap between the 2 (depends on the length of your shelf). Remember to line this one up in the same way on the line you drew. Draw through the bracket holes.
Step 2
Get the drill out. Set it to drill clockwise and drill your holes where you marked earlier. Be a bit careful, if you’re drilling into plasterboard then there could be wiring inside, if in doubt use a no-contact current & voltage detector (cheap and useful) – simply turn the device on and bring it to the wall to see if it detects a current close (which means there could be wiring inside the wall).
Step 3
Once you’ve drilled your holes, put each of the masonry plugs into the holes and tap them gently in with a hammer so each is almost flat against the wall.
Step 4
Use a screw to put up 1 bracket in the top hole only so it hangs, and tighten it a little. Now do the same with the other bracket, and place the shelf on top to check it lines up using the spirit level again.
Step 5
Screw in the other screws and tighten them. Now place the shelf on the brackets and attach these to the brackets (this varies between designs, many are a short screw upwards into the shelf and the holes are already there - if there are no holes and the shelf is wood then you need to drill your own, mark where the bracket holes hit the wood with a pencil then remove the shelf and drill your holes). Admire your skills!
What to do in the event of a break-in at your home
Finding that your home has been burgled is gutting, but be sensible and follow these instructions. Preventing a burglary is the best way to avoid it…
Step 1
Don’t go telling strangers you’re away, they could mention it to someone, who will mention it to someone and the next thing you know you’ve got no TV. Don’t leave an answer phone message saying you're away from the house for a long period or a note on your front door for neighbours, as you never know who’ll see or hear it.
Get a good set of door locks, if it can be opened with a good shove or some basic lock picking then it’s not much use. Lock your windows too, simple latches are easy to open once a window is smashed. If you can then get a burglar alarm, often the sight of an alarm box outside is enough to discourage the scoundrels.
Motion sensor outside lights are also a good idea, they aren’t expensive and are available from most good hardware places.
Step 2
If you come home and find that a window is open or a door has been tampered with, then don’t go into your home – call the police on your mobile, or go to a neighbours’ house. If the burglar is still inside you don’t want to confront them, no matter how angry you are, they could be armed.
If you find a thief inside your house then try and get out, if you are trapped then move aside and allow them to leave – don’t attempt to attack them or you could get hurt, or jailed if you do them damage (in the UK).
Step 3
Try not to touch anything in your house until the police have finished inside, as you don’t want to destroy any evidence that could help catch the rascal.
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