Brass Numeral No 7

This category is a mix of small household, door and craft items rather than sewing supplies. It covers floristry products such as floral foam, foam bowls and containers, florist wire, pins and knives; house numbers and letters; wall-mounted post boxes; combination key safes; spare door knobs; and picture hanging kits, struts and self-adhesive poster strips.

Floristry

Wet floral foam holds fresh flowers and water in an arrangement. To soak it, rest the dry block on the surface of a bowl of water and let it sink by itself; do not push it under. Once wet foam has dried out, it will not soak up water properly again, so keep arrangements topped up.

Numbers, post boxes and key safes

• House numbers and letters: made in brass and chrome finishes in set heights, and fixed with screws. Choose a size and finish that can be read easily from the street.
• Post boxes: wall-mounted, lockable boxes for letters. Check the size of the opening suits the post you usually get, and fix the box securely to a solid wall.
• Key safes: let carers, family or trades get a spare key using a code. For better security, look for one certified by Sold Secure or to LPS 1175, or carrying Police Preferred Specification. Fix it firmly to solid brick or masonry with the fixings supplied, ideally out of sight from the street.

Hanging pictures and posters

Picture hanging kits contain the fixings for framed pictures, and struts let a frame stand on a table. Self-adhesive strips hold light items without drilling; check the weight limit on the pack and follow the instructions for clean removal.

For other everyday items, see home essentials, or browse cleaning.