Safety

Halloween and bonfire night advice

25 October 2016 0 Comments

halloweenKent Police have given the following advice on Halloween and Bonfire Night celebrations

Halloween

Trick or treating

We hope you all have a good Halloween weekend but it’s important to remember that not everyone enjoys it – if someone is displaying a ‘no trick or treat’ sign, please respect their wishes and don’t knock at their door.

If you have elderly neighbours, friends or family make sure they know they don’t have to open the door to anyone they don’t know or aren’t expecting to help them feel safe.

It’s important everyone knows that most trick or treaters are simply getting involved in the celebrations and will be friendly, but please share our guidance on bogus callers with anyone who may have concerns, www.kent.police.uk/advice/bogus-callers-and-rogue-traders/.

Print and display a Kent Police poster to help trick or treaters know where to visit this Halloween:

Guidance for parents:

  • Never let young children go trick or treating on their own and make sure they only visit people known to your family.
  • Make sure teenagers understand not to frighten people or use flour or eggs.
  • Advise young trick or treaters to stay in a group and never go into the home of someone they don’t know.

Bonfire Night

Top tips to celebrate safely

  • Fireworks can hurt and frighten people and animals – always follow the firework code, www.saferfireworks.com/.
  • Always supervise children around fireworks and never give sparklers to a child under 5.
  • It’s safer to go to an organised display – if you’re aged 18 or over and still want to buy your own fireworks, only buy those marked BS 7114:1988 from a reputable retailer.

Know the law

It’s an offence to:

  • sell adult fireworks to anyone under 18
  • have adult fireworks in a public place if you are under 18
  • have fireworks meant for a professional display
  • let off fireworks after 11pm and before 7am, except on Bonfire Night (allowed up to midnight), New Year’s Eve, Diwali and the Chinese New Year (all allowed up to 1am).

You can also be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.

For more details on fireworks at the law visit www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law, www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law.

Kent Police

Additional safety information:

Halloween safety tips, https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2016/10/18/rospa-haloween-safety-tips/,

Children’s costumes, https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2016/10/22/is-your-costume-safe/

Children, Crime, News, Safety, Security

Is your costume safe?

22 October 2016 0 Comments

cvr4vozvuaafadqLook after Mabel, check the label!

Things to consider when buying a child’s costume

  • Has it got a CE marking?
    Be aware that CE markings can be faked by counterfeiters or those looking to cut corners.
  • Who are you buying it from?
    Are you in a reputable shop? Be extra careful when purchasing online.
  • Check the packaging and labels
    Make sure the packaging and garment contain the manufacturer’s name or registered trademark.
  • Check for product recalls
    Search for “CTSI Recalls” in your preferred search engine for a comprehensive list.
  • Check safety instructions
    Ensure the product is accompanied by safety information and instructions where applicable.

How to spot a fake

One way to spot fraudulent CE markings is to check the logo. Sometimes the wrong logo is used entirely, but if it looks correct, check the middle line of the ‘E’, as it should be shorter than the other parts.

All garments have a risk of being flammable – please check the label and stay away from naked flames!

For consumer advice please call the consumer helpline citizens advice on 03454 04 05 06
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/

Children, Consumer, News, Safety

RoSPA Haloween safety tips

18 October 2016 0 Comments

Following a survey they carried out last year, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPSA) published the following tips for a safe Halloween!

  1. Candles are used at Halloween, so please use them carefully.
  2. Never leave lit candles unattended.
  3. Don’t allow children to play with or be around lit candles. Use battery operated candles instead.
  4. When outside, ensure children can be seen in the dark. Ensure they wear something reflective such as a reflective strip or a glow stick, and carry a torch.
  5. If outside, ensure children are supervised by a suitable adult.
  6. Remind children of how to cross roads safely before leaving home.
  7. Remove any Halloween make-up or fake blood immediately, if irritation occurs. It could be the first indication of an allergic reaction to something within the cosmetic.
  8. Dressing up costumes should be tested against the toy standards’ flammability requirements and carry a CE mark. But remember that even these costumes need to be kept away from naked flames.
  9. Please be aware that items you may make or use may not have had any flammability testing so could ignite easily.
  10. Follow the Firework Code (see www.saferfireworks.com for more information).

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents 26 October 2015
www.rospa.com/media-centre/press-office/press-releases/detail/?id=1418

Children, News, Safety

Protect yourself and others from abuse

8 October 2016 0 Comments

Stop Adult AbuseWith each kind of abuse, neglect, undue pressure or assault, there is often someone who knows it is happening or suspects that something is wrong. Please use the contact numbersbelow to report abuse or seek advice if you feel you are being abused, or think somebody is at risk of harm or abuse. You can ask someone you trust to help you.

If possible, let the person who is being abused know help is available and include them in the decision to seek help. You could share this leaflet with them, unless doing so may place them at further risk.

What happens after abuse is reported?

If you report abuse:

  • Every report of abuse is taken seriously.
  • You will be listened to and asked to provide information about the situation.
  • You will be encouraged to give your name to enable your concerns to be followed up.
  • Professionals will make enquires about the concerns.

They will contact the adult at risk to involve them in the safeguarding process wherever possible, unless to do so may place them at further risk initially.

If you think you or another person is at risk of harm or abuse

please contact 03000 41 61 61 NGT Service 18001 03000 41 61 61

Outside of normal office hours: 03000 41 91 91 NGT Service 18001 03000 41 91 91

If someone is in immediate risk contact the emergency services on 999

For further information go to:  www.kent.gov.uk/adultprotection

#StopAbuseKent

Crime, Kent County Council, News, Safety, Wellbeing

How to recognise abuse and neglect – 4

6 October 2016 0 Comments

Stop Adult AbuseDomestic abuse

is when abuse occurs between partners, former partners or by a family member. It can include psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse as well as ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

There is information and advice about Domestic Abuse in our posts from the Talk About Abuse campaign
https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/category/site/domestic-abuse/

Help

If you are affected by domestic abuse, or you think a friend or family member may be, there are specialists who can help you.

Contact Kent County Council on 03000 41 61 61 or if someone is in immediate risk, dial 999. Support will be provided by specially trained people to victims of abuse and those who report it

Ashford Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop offers free advice, information and support from a range of agencies under one roof to help victims of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse can affect anyone and therefore, if you are a man or a woman and would like to discuss your issues, you are welcome to attend. No appointment is required just turn up.
The Willow Centre, Brookfield Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4EY
Telephone: 07598 74504
Opening times: Every Tuesday morning 9.30am – 12.30pm

Domestic Abuse Support in Kent website, a new resource covering Kent and Medway providing advice and information on services for victims, friends & family, and perpetrators of Domestic Abuse.http://www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk/

Citizens Advice online advice on domestic abuse, where you’ll find lots of organisations that can help.

If you think a friend or family member may be experiencing domestic abuse, see Citizens Advice’ guidance on how you can talk to them about it and direct them to places where they can get further help.

#StopAbuseKent
#talkaboutabuse‬

Crime, Health, Kent County Council, News, Safety, Wellbeing

How to recognise abuse and neglect – 3

5 October 2016 0 Comments

Stop Adult AbuseThere are different kinds of abuse and it can happen anywhere. It occurs when someone exploits another person or treats them in a way that harms or hurts them. It can happen once or on multiple occasions. People who abuse are not always strangers. They can also be: partners, relatives, a friend, neighbour or carer.

Types of Abuse

Some more of the types of abuse are described below.

Organisational abuse

is where an adult is placed at risk through poor professional practice and/or organisational failings. It can be a one-off incident or ongoing ill-treatment or neglect. This abuse can happen when care and support is provided at home or within an institution or care setting, such as a hospital or residential home.

Neglect

is when someone deliberately or unintentionally causes a person to suffer by failing to provide the required medical or physical care. This may include failing to provide access to appropriate health, social care or education. This can result in their essential day to day needs, such as: medication, food, drink and heating, being denied.

Self-neglect

is when a person’s behaviour, such as neglecting to care for personal hygiene, health or surroundings, has a detrimental effect on their health and wellbeing. It can include behaviour such as hoarding

To report abuse,

contact Kent County Council on 03000 41 61 61 or if someone is in immediate risk, dial 999. Support will be provided by specially trained people to victims of abuse and those who report it

Kent County Council, Stop adult abuse – how to protect yourself and others (PDF, 107.2 KB)
www.kent.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/13513/AdultAbuseLeaflet.pdf

#StopAbuseKent

Crime, Health, Kent County Council, News, Safety, Wellbeing

Getting through

28 September 2016 0 Comments

parking-image-for-webRubbish bin not emptied?

A minor inconvenience.

House burns down?

A devastating, life changing experience.

On some occasions, the council is unable to empty your bin because vehicles are blocking access to the road.

fire-engine-with-sizeBut if a refuse truck can’t get down the road, neither can a fire engine at a time when you might really need it to. Just a small delay could result in unimaginable consequences.

We know parking can be tight on roads. But please think about whether a large vehicle can get through next time you park.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is working with Canterbury City Council and Serco to make people
aware of the need to leave space for our fire engines and refuse trucks when parking on narrow streets.

Emergency, News, Safety, Transport