IT’S TIME IN TO TRADE IN YOUR OLD ELECTRIC BLANKET AS FIRE BRIGADE OFFERS “AMNESTY” FOR OUT OF DATE WINTER WARMERS

PEOPLE on Teesside are being offered the chance to trade in old and dangerous electric blankets as Cleveland Fire Brigade launches an “amnesty” this week.

Old, worn and damaged electric blankets can be a real fire risk (as seen at a house fire in Guisborough recently, where an electric blanket was to blame). Thankfully, no one was injured on that occasion, say Brigade managers, but the incident has brought into sharp focus the need for people to assess and replace their out of date blankets.

That’s why Cleveland Fire Brigade is now asking people to come forward and exchange older or worn blankets and exchange them for new or non-electric thermal versions free of charge.

The cost is being met by a community grant made possible by Cleveland Fire Brigade and Teesside PCTs.

Les Jones, Head of Community Safety for Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: “Electric blankets can be very dangerous if they are old or worn and the best thing to do is to ring up and receive a new one or thermal version free of charge.”

People wishing to take advantage of the scheme should contact 07842538525 and arrange a trade in.

WARNING FROM CLEVELAND POLICE,

 THERE ARE THEIVES ABOUT. 

Most break-ins are not the work of professional burglars. Many are carried out by petty thieves who see an open or insecure door or window and take the opportunity to get into your home.

When you go out, be sure to lock all the outside doors and check that all the windows and doors are closed, even if you are just popping out for a few minutes during the day.  Remember to lock garage windows and doors when you leave, particularly if your garage is attached to your house with a door leading to the inside.  Keep your ladder and garden tools locked away, as they can be very useful for the opportunist burglar.

Always keep your keys in a safe place.  The first places that a burglar will look for your door key are under the mat, in a flower pot or on a piece of string through the letter box.  Never leave any keys in locks or lying around the house.

If you are out for the evening, draw the curtains and leave a front room light on (not the hall) and perhaps put on the radio too.  The thief will think there is someone in the house.

Some thieves will attempt to get in pretending to work for companies.   If you have a door chains use it.  Look for logos on vehicles and clothing.  Examine the caller’s identity and card.  Ring the company if necessary to confirm that they are working in the area.

For Crime Prevention advice contact,
P.C. Ian Solomon, Crime Prevention Officer on 01642 302628.

PROTECTED WILDLIFE SITE

South Gare and Coatham Sands

 Site of Special Scientific Interest

South Gare and Coatham Sands is notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).  It is important for a range of coastal habitats, including sand dunes, mudflats and sandy foreshores, which support wintering waterbirds and breeding little terns. This SSSI is legally protected.

Please do not:

Damage the sand dunes or disturb the birds.

Please note that:

·            It is illegal under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) without reasonable excuse, to damage, destroy or disturb any of the special interest features of the SSSI.  Any one found guilty of this criminal offence may be liable to a £2,500/£20,000/an unlimited fine.

·         It is illegal under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to take a mechanically propelled vehicle elsewhere other than a road unless it is a lawful route.  Vehicles may be confiscated under the Police Reform Act 2002.

Any reports of damage or disturbance to the SSSI will be reported to Natural England and the police and action will be taken against those responsible.

Details of this and all SSSIs can be found on Natural England’s website at

 www.naturalengland.org.uk.

Natural England tel:  0191 2295500

SCOTT CHEM

Unit 3 ROSEBERRY SQUARE SHOPPING CENTRE

REDCAR

Telephone 01642 486186

Do you or anyone you know want to stop smoking

We now offer a FREE one - stop service to help you quit

Our trained staff will assess your needs and provide all the nicotine replacement products needed over our 12 week programme

PLEASE NOTE THOSE WHO PAY FOR PRESCRIPTIONS WILL ONLY PAY TWICE OVER THE 12 WEEKS

For further details please ask in the shop or telephone us on 01642 486186 

                     TUMBLE DRYER WARNING GOES OUT TO RESIDENTS!

FIRE Chiefs are urging residents to follow safety advice when using electrical appliances such as tumble dryers after a spate of fire incidents last month.

So far this year there has been 143 accidental house fires, 38 were caused by electrical appliances. Last month however there was a dramatic increase in the number of incidents involving tumble dryers and washing machines so Cleveland Fire Brigade are offering advice on how to reduce the risk in homes.

General safety

• Don’t leave the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher running overnight or while you are out. They are a fire risk because of their high wattage, friction and motors.

Tumble dryer safety

• Remove the lint from the trap after every load of clothes dried

• Do not cover the vent or any other opening

• Ensure the vent pipe is free of kinks and is not crushed in any way

• Only used recommended vent pipes, and not improvised ones

• Only vent the warm air to the outside of a building

• Do not put rags or materials into your tumble dryer if they have been used to soak up flammable liquids.

Tell-tale signs that your tumble dryer is not properly ventilated

• Clothes take a very long time to dry, especially heavy articles of clothing such as towels or jeans

• Clothes feel hotter than usual at the end of the cycle

• The flapper on the vent hood remains closed when the dryer is on

David Atkinson, Community Education Manager said: “By following these few simple guidelines you can reduce the risk of an electrical appliance fire in your home. Incidents more than doubled in these types of fires during July throughout the Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar districts which could be avoided.

“We would also urge residents who haven’t had a Home Fire Safety Visit to have one carried out in their home which helps identify risks and also ensures every home has a working smoke alarm.”

For more information and PICTURE OPPORTUNITY please contact David Atkinson on 01429 872311

      EMERGENCY SERVICES JOIN FORCES

  TO OFFER RAPID RESPONSE TO PATIENTS

A partnership between Cleveland Fire Brigade and the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) is working well, ensuring the quickest response to patients in East Cleveland.

Since the co-responder scheme started in 2004, the Brigade has assisted the ambulance service by attending 842 emergency incidents.

Due to the location of the Brigade’s fire stations’, fire crews are able to support the emergency ambulance service by being able to reach patients that are suffering from potentially life threatening signs and symptoms such as breathing difficulties and chest pains within eight minutes so they can provide essential first aid before the ambulance crews take over.

Elaine Bennington, Operations Manager for the Tees Division of the North East Ambulance Service said: “Whilst the North East Ambulance Service continues to develop and extend its own resources to continually improve the service to the patients of East Cleveland, additional resources are always welcome.”

Research has shown that if a cardiac arrest victim is defibrillated immediately their chance of survival can be as high as 85%, these odds decrease by 10% with every minute that passes without treatment.

Steve Walton, Redcar District Manager said: “All of our fire engines carry a defibrillator which is used to shock a heart that has stopped pumping blood effectively.

“All Cleveland Fire Brigade firefighters are also trained to perform cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and carry oxygen therapy equipment which can be used to support the patients until the paramedics arrive.

“All members of the public can be taught life saving skills which could form a vital link in the chain of survival. Cleveland Fire Brigade will deliver this free training on request. For more details or if you would like to request some training please contact 01429 874063 or your local fire station.”

                  ICE

        "In Case of Emergency"

Apparently this is a standard procedure all paramedics follow at the scene of an accident when they come across your cell phone.

ICE - "In Case of Emergency"

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence the "ICE"

(In Case of Emergency) Campaign.

The concept of "ICE" is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell(mobile)phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name "ICE" ( In Case Of Emergency).
The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as "ICE."
For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference! Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our
Mobile phones today!
Please let everyone know about this,. It won't take too many "forwards" before
everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a
loved one's mind at rest. ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.