TRT Extra (Autumn 2007) - Safety

Additional information on articles in the "Safety" section of Three Rivers Times.

Stay safe on 5th November!

Rockets, wheels, Roman Candles, fountains?fireworks on Bonfire Night can be great fun for children and adults alike, as long as they are used safely.

Residents can follow this simple Firework Safety Code, to make sure it's fun for all the family on Bonfire Night:

• Only buy fireworks marked with the safety code BS 7114.
• Don't drink alcohol when handling fireworks.
• Keep fireworks in a closed box away from children.
• Follow the instructions on each firework.
• Light at arm's length, using a taper.
• Stand well back.
• Never go near a firework that has been lit, even if it has not gone off, it could still explode.
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
• Always supervise children around fireworks.
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
• Never give sparklers to a child under five.
• Keep pets indoors.

And enjoy Bonfire Night!

More on the web:http://www.dti.gov.uk/fireworks/public.htm

Identity Theft: Top Tips

The facts:

• Identity Fraud refers to when a criminal illegally obtains and uses another person's personal data, in a way that involves fraud or deception, often for financial gain.
• Each year around 28 million UK consumers are targeted and £1 billion is lost.
• Over 10,000 fraudulent passport applications are recieved each year.
• Identity theft is Britain's fastest-growing white-collar crime, increasing at nearly 500% a year.

Top tips:

Identity theft criminals do not simply have to break into our homes; instead they employ a variety of more 'modern' techniques to steal our personal details. To reduce risk of becoming a victim of Identity theft, residents can follow these simple top tips:

• Always try and use your hand or purse to shield your pin number, when entering it in to cash machines or chip and pin machines in shops.
• Try to memorise different pin numbers for different cards, that way if one card is compromised, the criminal won't be able to use that pin number to access all of your accounts.
• Check your bank and credit card statements very carefully, ensuring you can match up what you have spent with what is listed on the statement. Unexpected entries can be the first sign that somebody is stealing your money.
• Buy a 'shredder' (there are many inexpensive ones on the market) and ensure you shred any personal documents you are planning to throw away. For example, credit card or bank statements, loan application forms, gas, electricity and phone bills and even 'junk' mail that includes information as basic as your name and address. Criminals could use these records to gain control over accounts in your name, usually by going through bin bags during the night.
• Be wary of any emails requesting personal information and of giving out any personal information over the phone - you never know who the person on the other end is. Never give out information such as PINs, passwords, date of birth, bank account or credit card data. Telephone the organisation that asked for the information, using the number in the phone book or in previous correspondence.
• Do not risk important documents. Try not to carry your passport, birth certificate, insurance details or full driving licence around unless you have to.

If you think you are a victim of identity fraud, let all your lenders know (including banks, building society, credit card providers etc) and report it to your nearest police station.

For more information and advice:
Crimestoppers freephone number - 0800 555 111
FSA consumer helpline - from UK: 0845 606 1234

More on the web:www.identity-theft.org.uk/

Power cuts are inconvenient at the best of times, but in the cold of winter and over the festive period, power failures can become emergencies, especially when the vulnerable and frail are involved.

A few days before Christmas in December 2005 a power failure hit Sarratt, leaving residents without power for three days, including a three-day-old baby and elderly villagers. Luckily, EDF Energy work in partnership with the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS), so trained emergency volunteers were on hand to help, providing hot water, hot food and blankets, to enable residents to stay at home.

So, what should you do in the event of a power cut?

• Residents in the South East of England can call the EDF Energy helpline on 0800 783 8838 in the event of a power failure. If needed, EDF Energy will alert the local WRVS team, who will come out and help residents in need.
• Cover food storage appliances like freezers and fridges with blankets to help keep the temperature down and do not open the doors. Following these precautions should mean the food will stay fresh for up to 8-12 hours. Defrosted food should never be re-frozen, but some defrosted food, such as raw meat, can be cooked off and then re-frozen when the freezer is back up and running.
• Contact EDF Energy for details of your particular power failure and advice on how long you will have to wait until power is restored.
• The vulnerable and frail or those caring for very young babies can be added to a vulnerable persons register with EDF Energy. If you feel you may fall in to this category, it is worth ringing to find out more and inform them of your needs.

More on the web: to find out more about what to do in a power cut or to download a vulnerable persons form, visit www.edfenergy.com or call 0207 242 9050.