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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To duck tape my letterbox shut

38 replies

PoisonousSmurf · 04/11/2017 17:42

Hate this time of year. We have some wild 'yoofs' around here and last year they tried to burn down our fence.
I'm ready for them this year with a hose. But worried that they will try something nasty like putting fireworks through the door.
DH thinks I'm overeacting, but I'd rather be safe than sorry!

OP posts:
NC4now · 04/11/2017 17:44

If it makes you feel safer, do it I say.

Sparklingbrook · 04/11/2017 17:44

That sounds reasonable TBH. Is this part of Bonfire Night?

Is it personal or are they offensive to everyone? Sad

Babababababybel23 · 04/11/2017 17:48

Do it. My family went away one year around bonfire night and came back to find a burnt out firework in the hallway. Thankfully it didn't do anydamage and my cat was at a friends. They don't have to have a vendetta against you they do it to any random house because they feel like it.

PoisonousSmurf · 04/11/2017 17:50

Sparklingbrook, they do this to everyone. Random.

OP posts:
Undercoverbanana · 04/11/2017 17:51

Duck tape!!!!! Lovely typo!!!!

Not a bad idea if you use duct tape if the locals are doing this kind of thing.

MrsMotherHen · 04/11/2017 17:51

Yep I would if it gives you peace of mind. Make sure windows are shut too. One got put through our window as a child. Thank god no one was home.

Snap8TheCat · 04/11/2017 17:52

There’s a brand of duct tape called ‘duck tape’ so not a typo...

HidingBehindTheWallpaper · 04/11/2017 17:53

Duck tape!!!!! Lovely typo!!!!

Nope.

To duck tape my letterbox shut
DJBaggySmalls · 04/11/2017 17:54

You can get fireproof letter boxes to hang on the inside. We have one for the same reason. And a fire blanket and extinguisher.

PoisonousSmurf · 04/11/2017 17:54

Thank you Snap8TheCat Grin

OP posts:
BenLui · 04/11/2017 17:55

How could it possibly be “unreasonable?” It won’t affect anyone else or damage the door in any way.

I’d have done it already.

CoffeeBreakIn5 · 04/11/2017 17:56

I’d do it, no point in taking risks.

Most of the people I know who say ‘duck tape’ don’t actually mean the Duck Tape brand. They mean ‘duct tape’ it’s a common mistake.

Sparklingbrook · 04/11/2017 17:59

they do this to everyone. Random.

That's awful. I can see why you are worried.

HidingBehindTheWallpaper · 04/11/2017 17:59

Well duck is a brand and duct is the variety. It doesn’t really matter which word you use.

I just call it gaffer tape to avoid confusion. Grin

Undercoverbanana · 04/11/2017 18:00

Haha!! Duck Tape Duct Tape!!! I've never heard of that! I think our duct tape is so old it's lost all it's adhesiveness and probably isn't watertight anymore. I shall treat myself to Duck Tape Duct Tape next time!!!

Thetoothyteeth · 04/11/2017 18:01

I don't understand your aibu. Just do it if you want to, there isn't really anyone who will tell you you're being unreasonable not wanting fire through your letterbox. You knew that though. Id have done it by now.

HidingBehindTheWallpaper · 04/11/2017 18:01

It is duck tape as it is waterproof.

www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/duckvsduct.html

Starlight2345 · 04/11/2017 18:06

If it makes you feel safer in your home do it .

pippitysqueakity · 04/11/2017 18:09

I've done it before over bonfire weekend. Made me feel safer, if it does you, why not?

MyCarHasBrokenDownAgain · 04/11/2017 18:19

Totally missing the point Grin, but if you are going to tape it shut, you can probably find a Duck Tape to match your decor ...

To duck tape my letterbox shut
MrTrebus · 04/11/2017 18:21

I've taped up my letterbox everywhere I've lived since I was young, we had a firework through our lettbox when I was little and luckily we had a porch with the inside door closed, it was really scary and started a mini fire which we put out. Just tape it up,we do from just before Halloween to after bonfire night (taking it off every morning for the postie)

blanklook · 04/11/2017 18:25

Would they see the tape as a challenge, or just move on to an easier target?
If the former, I'd tape up the inside too, Gorilla tape's my preference Halloween Grin
And I'd have a bucket of water just inside the door and a pair of metal tongs just in case.

If it's a problem several nights per year, how about a new door with no letterbox and a mailbox outside?

Ollivander84 · 04/11/2017 18:30

Tape it shut, I always used to and if you're really worried shove a shallow tray of water under the door inside

magicstar1 · 04/11/2017 18:36

My dad always puts a basin of water behind the front door in case something's out through the letterbox.

HidingBehindTheWallpaper · 04/11/2017 18:42

Where is that Mycar?

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