"Home Safe And Sound" |
28 October 2005 |
|
National Consumer Week 31st October - 6th November 2005
This year National Consumer Week’s theme is ‘Home Safe and Sound’ and the Comhairle’s Trading Standards service has chosen to highlight two topics, Home Safety and Firework Safety. Locally, the Trading Standards service has played an integral part in Safetywise, the Western Isles multi-agency accident prevention group. Trading standards have a specific role within Safetywise promoting product safety legislation. Home Safety This year for National Consumer Week Trading Standards and Safetywise are inviting you to give your home a quick safety check using the Home Safety Checklist in today’s Stornoway Gazette. Simple things, such as making sure your pan handles are out reach of children, could prevent scalds or burns, or ensuring that smoke detectors are fitted and working, could reduce the risk of a serious accident. Safetywise the multi-agency accident prevention group currently operates a home safety project in the Western Isles. The project aims to promote general safety in the home, as well as electrical safety checks and helping to reduce the risk of accidents such as trips and falls, and other hazards. If you are over 60 and living in the Western Isles you can contact project worker Donald Macdonald, Home Safety Co-ordinator on 01851 706121, to receive a free safety visit. Home Safety personnel can also advise on the safety of items such as electric blankets, heaters and smoke detectors. The Home Safety project is now in its second year and project workers have already visited over 125 homes in the Islands, all of whom have benefited from the co-ordinator’s home safety expertise. Firework Safety Last year Safetywise launched a successful Fireworks Safety Campaign, “It’s not cool to fool with fireworks” aimed particularly at schoolchildren, and featuring Calamity Calum the accident prone crofter. The Safetywise group are pleased to note that there were no reported fireworks injuries in the Western Isles last year. This year Trading Standards Officers along with the Police and Fire Officers have been undertaking visits to all the local firework retailers to ensure compliance with the tough new fireworks laws. Consumers are again reminded that fireworks are explosives and should be treated with caution. Even sparklers are dangerous and it is recommended that they should not be given to children under 5. Fireworks are an age-restricted product - you must be 18 or over to buy them. The new laws also make it an offence to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am or at anytime in a public place, and it is an offence for anyone under 18 to possess a firework in a public place. Trading Standards and Safetywise want to encourage everyone to follow the Fireworks code to continue to ensure the responsible use of fireworks, so that everyone can enjoy a safe bonfire night. Notes for Editors National consumer week has been organised for the last 15 years by the Trading Standards Institute in order to raise the profile of various consumer issues Contacts: Home Safety Project Donald MacDonald 01851 70 6121 Fireworks Tom Joyce or Marina MacSween 01851 709577 Note: a photo of the Home Safety Team is available if required. Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
|