WARM UP TOP

New Zealand seems to have its fair share of cold draughty homes. With insulation only becoming mandatory in the 70's, chances are your home is poorly, if at all, insulated.

But what can you do to make sure your heat stays in your home this winter? There are so many options out there, and such a variance in prices that it's hard to know where to start.

The July issue of HOW to features an insulation checklist which steps you through the basics of insulation. Where to start, and where best to put your money this winter.

SAFETY FIRST

OK, so you've made the decision to get some more insulation in your home. And, as with all good kiwi's, DIY is the way to go. But how do you keep safe while doing it?

There are many factors to consider when installing insulation and keeping safe while doing it is paramount. The July issue of HOW to takes you through a list of safety do's and don'ts. What gear you will need to keep you safe on the job.

DRILLS AND BITS

Most kiwi DIYers have at least one drill around the home for those jobs that need fixing. But which one is the right one for you? Cordless? Electric? The options can be long, and terrifying for a first time buyer.

The July issue of HOW to takes you through which drill is right for you. What drill is right for which job and all the bits and pieces you will need for getting it just right.

THE TODDLER INVASION

Our smallest citizens are often our most curious. Unfortunately, it takes a while for the consequences switch to turn on, and so keeping toddlers safe around the house is often a matter of restriction.

Laundries, kitchens and bathrooms are obvious places to start with all of the chemicals that can look so tasty to a 2 year old. Stairs are often easy to climb, not so easy to descend. And an open cupboard with shelves may appear to be a nice climbing frame to that inquisitive toddler.

The home is a myriad of dangers to an exploring baby, and so the July issue of HOW to tackles this with some basic steps towards toddler proofing your home.

ON A ROLL

Painting a wall is a great way to freshen up a room. And most of us are able to easily wield a roller ourselves. But why do some painted walls look better than others?

Rollers are the easiest, and quickest, way to finish a room.

The July issue of HOW To takes you through painting with rollers. Right from preparation to how to correctly wield that roller.

JULY CHECKLIST

Winter in the garden can be unpleasant. The ground is hard and the weather not inviting. But that is no reason to not get out there.

There are still a few seeds that can go in, and trees that can be planted over the winter months.

Consistent effort over the winter months can really pay off and the July issue of HOW To shows you what you can easily achieve.

BACKYARD ORCHARDS

Fruit trees in the backyard are often a cheap and easy way to get your 5+ a day. Citrus trees can be the easiest to plant and maintain.

The July issue of HOW to takes you through all of the different citrus trees available. What you need to do to help them grow and keep them pruned. It also takes you through how to keep them safe from pests and bugs and some tricks of the trade.

WINTER GARDEN PROTECTION

Weeds and frosts in the winter months can be dire for your gardens. Weed mats and frost mats can go someway to helping you protect your hard work.

The July issue of HOW to steps you through some tricks of the trade when it comes to using weed mats and frost cloths. Don't let your garden go to seed over the winter. With just a little effort, your backyard can look great all year round.