Safety

Changes to rules for backless booster seats

12 March 2017 0 Comments

Q954: I’ve heard that the rules in relation to backless booster seats for children have changed in 2017– is this true?

The UN have notified the Department for Transport that there are new rules for the manufacture of backless booster seats. The new rules mean that manufacturers aren’t allowed to introduce new models of backless booster seats for children shorter than 125cm or weighing less than 22kg.

However, it’s important to realise that the change doesn’t affect existing models of seats or cushions and it certainly doesn’t mean they’re unsafe or illegal. Therefore, if you have such a seat, you can still use it and you won’t be breaking the law if you continue to use it. The change has been brought about because research indicates that hi-backed booster seats offer better protection than backless booster seats, especially in side impacts.

Note that if you’re about to buy a booster seat there may still be some of the older models available for sale. So if you want the new specification hi-backed booster seat, make sure you read the label and know what you’re buying. We would suggest you only buy from a reputable source and seek clarification from the shop if you need it.
‘Ask the Police’ (Police National Legal Database)
www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q954.htm

Children, News, Safety

Smoke alarms don’t wake children – advice

11 March 2017 0 Comments

Kent Fire and Rescue LogoNews that sleeping children are not woken by smoke alarms has prompted Kent Fire and Rescue Service to advise parents to wake children as part their fire escape plan.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service Community Safety Manager Colin King has said:

“Working smoke alarms save lives and their use has significantly contributed to the long-term downward trend in fire fatalities. They can provide valuable early warning of a fire, allowing families to get out, stay out and call 999, but it is also crucial that people test their smoke alarms once a week.

“However as this research indicates that some children may not wake to the sound of a smoke alarm; parents, guardians and responsible adults should ensure that they prepare an escape plan that includes waking and evacuating children as part of their plan.” (more…)

Children, News, Safety

Tackling domestic abuse

20 February 2017 0 Comments

silhouette of figureAshford Borough Council’s Cabinet has agreed to continue to provide funding for invaluable domestic abuse work in the Ashford borough and to make permanent the post of Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator.

The domestic abuse annual report highlights an increasing demand on services as more victims are gaining the confidence to come forward and seek help.

It also praises the work of professionals across the health, police, fire, voluntary, local authority and charitable sectors in dealing with an increasing workload in spite of some reductions in resources.

The charity Ashford Domestic Abuse Forum (ADAF) leads services across the borough and created the One Stop Shop; a weekly drop in centre where victims can receive advice and support.

Ashford has one of the busiest One Stop Shops in the county but can boast a high level of staff attendance and good reputation for partnership working, thanks in part to the appointment of a full time Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator. (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, Crime, News, Safety, Wellbeing

Minister urges people to register their appliances

22 January 2017 0 Comments

Consumer Minister Margot James and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are supporting Register My Appliance Day with the Association of Manufacturers and Domestic Appliances (AMDEA).

Encouraging people to take a few minutes to register their white goods, Register My Appliance Day raises awareness of product safety and recalls.

By adding product details onto the AMDEA Register My Appliance portal, people can be contacted swiftly in the event that a safety repair is needed. The portal is currently used by 45 leading brands, including the UK’s major white goods manufacturers. (more…)

Consumer, Government, News, Safety

Snow forecast prompts safety advice

11 January 2017 0 Comments

Kent Fire and Rescue LogoWith snow forecast for Kent tomorrow, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) wants to help the public to keep themselves safe and not to make unnecessary calls to the emergency services.

KFRS Assistant Director for community safety, Ian Thomson, said: “We would like to reassure people that we have place practical plans in place to ensure the Service is prepared during this period of cold weather and snow, and that our staff will be working really hard to ensure fire stations are ready to provide a 999 response when needed.”

He added: “We are asking the public to help us by only calling if they really need us, to avoid making non-essential journeys on the roads, adjust their driving to the weather conditions and to follow the safety tips below to keep themselves safe in the home. Remember that a fire can quickly take hold, which is why it’s vital you have working smoke alarms on every floor of your home to provide early warning in the unfortunate event of a fire.” (more…)

News, Safety

Consultation on policing precept

7 January 2017 0 Comments

A boost for security and frontline policing in Kent

Office of the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner

Opens: 06 January 2017
Closes: 23 January 2017

A message from the Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott:

“I am responsible, as Police and Crime Commissioner, for determining the overall budget for policing in the county and for setting the amount that Kent Police receives from the annual council tax. Policing is mainly funded in two ways; about two thirds come from grants we receive from the Home Office and the rest from the council tax.

“For the next financial year, Kent will lose more than £2million of funding from the Home Office, as money is set to be taken away to pay for other things. I believe some of these, such as giving money to the courts service to pay for changes to police bail, are unfair and I will be challenging those.

“So in my first year as your Police and Crime Commissioner, I have been faced with a difficult choice. Ideologically, I am a low-tax Conservative. During the course of my campaign, I said that I did not want the precept to rise, unless it was needed to protect frontline policing. However, I believe that this announcement meets that test. In 2017/18, I am proposing that the council tax precept for Kent Police rises by 3.3%, equivalent to £5 for an average Band D household, supported by a contribution from reserves. (more…)

Consultation, Crime, Finance, News, Safety, Security

KFRS Budget Consultation

3 January 2017 0 Comments

Kent Fire and Rescue LogoCouncil Tax consultation 2017/18

Kent Fire and Rescue Service

Opens: 5 December 2016
Closes: 16 January 2017 (12:00 noon)

Where your money is spent

Your local fire service gets its money from two places, the Government and Council Tax. This is the amount we have to spend each year on all of the services we provide which include:

  • Providing a 24/7 emergency service for fires, road traffic collisions, floods and a whole range of other emergencies where the skills and equipment of firefighters are needed.
  • Safety advice and support to help local people stay safe in their own homes, this includes home safety visits particularly targeted at the most vulnerable in the community such as older people and those with disabilities.
  • Assistance to the ambulance service for serious medical emergencies such as heart attacks, where trained local fire crews are located closer to the casualty.
  • Education for around 90,000 children each year on fire and road safety in schools and at our road safety centre.
A few important facts:
  • Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s day-to-day budget in 2016/17 is £69m
  • Along with others in the public sector, Kent Fire and Rescue Service has made savings over recent years – £22m over the last 7 years
  • We expect to have to make further savings of around £7m over the next four years

Help us plan for the future

We are determined to continue to provide a safe and efficient service whilst balancing changing local needs and working with reducing grant funding from central Government. We believe that the plans we have put in place over the last few years have provided a good foundation to meet that challenge. Our previous investment in new equipment is already paying off, helping us fight fires and deal with rescues more effectively. We are also looking at new ways of working that are more flexible and responsive to local needs. This will help us make the necessary savings while still maintaining the quality service that we believe local people want. (more…)

Consultation, Finance, News, Safety

Co-op Recall 165,000 Chocolate Santa’s

23 December 2016 0 Comments

Chocolate SantaCo-op Recall 165,000 Chocolate Santa’s after batteries were found in two

The Co-op has launched an urgent national product recall after batteries were found inside two of its chocolate santas.

The Co-op sold the German-manufactured santas, which are available from other retailers, and has advised consumers not to eat them.

The santas with batteries were found in two separate locations, one in Suffolk and one in Essex.

A Co-op spokesman said: ‘The health and safety of our customers is our top priority.

‘We are concerned about two separate instances of alleged product tampering involving our hollow milk chocolate Santa foil figures, which have been found to contain a small battery inside.

As a result we have begun a UK-wide product recall. The police and Food Standards Agency are being notified.

‘Customers with one of these products should not eat it but call our customer relations team for a full refund.’
Anyone who is concerned should call Freephone 0800 0686 727.

[This story is emerging in the media. We would advise breaking open any chocolates with similar wrapping purchased from other retailers before giving them to children (or eating them).]

Recall Database 23 December 2016
http://recalldatabase.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Co-op%20Recall%20165

News, Safety

Prepare your vehicle for bad weather

15 December 2016 0 Comments

Snow CarIn this this fourth post on preparing for winter we have information from Brake on winter driving.

Be prepared

Even if you avoid setting off in dangerous weather conditions, you could get caught out, so be prepared by:

  • ensuring your vehicle is well-maintained through an up-to-date MOT, regular service, and regular walk-round checks by you.
  • regularly checking tyres to ensure they’re in good condition and have a tread depth of at least 3mm to be safe in the wet.
  • making sure there is anti-freeze in your radiator and windscreen washer bottle.
  • keeping an ice-scraper and de-icer in your vehicle at all times in winter.
  • packing a winter driving kit in case of emergency. This might include: a torch; cloths; a blanket and warm clothes; food and drink; first-aid kit; spade; warning triangle; and high-visibility vest.
  • always take a well-charged phone in case of emergencies, but don’t be tempted to use it when driving.

Car batteries are more likely to die in winter, so take steps to ensure yours doesn’t. If your car battery is old (more than five years) or there is sign of it struggling to start the car, get it checked by your garage and replaced if needed.

Clear ice, snow and condensation completely from your windscreen and all windows before setting off. Clear snow off the roof of your vehicle too, as it might fall and obscure your vision during your journey.

Check forecasts and plan your route carefully. In bad weather, major roads are more likely to be cleared and gritted. Allow plenty of time for potential hold-ups. The Met Office provides up to date forecasts, and issues warnings when severe weather is likely. (more…)

News, Safety, Transport

Prepare for flooding

14 December 2016 0 Comments

In the third of our posts on preparing for winter we bring information from the Environment Agency on preparing for flooding.

Make a flood plan

Plan how you’ll respond to a flood. Use a template to make a:

Protect your property

You can:

You may need permission to do work that will affect the flow of a river or divert flood water. (more…)

Emergency, Home, News, Safety