Baby Bath Seats Warning: A coroner has issued a warning that bath seats could "give parents a false sense of security that their child is safe", following the heart-breaking death of a nine-month-old, who was found drowned in a few centimetres of bath water. Chester Mossop died days after being found face down in the bath at his home in Cockermouth, Cumbria, on 29 May 2022. Chester was left secured in a bath seat for just a few minutes while his mum fitted a plug-in diffuser in his bedroom to help his cold. After being given immediate CPR, he was airlifted to hospital where an MRI scan showed he had an un-survivable brain injury due to the drowning. Chester died peacefully four days later in his mother’s arms. While bath seats can be a useful tool in helping busy parents at bath-time, it’s important to remember they’re just a support, and NOT a safety device. Baby bath seats must comply with the British and European Standard 17072:2018. The seat must have a maximum water level mark on the side and the instructions must include the warnings for use. You must stay with your baby all the time when they’re in the bath and keep them at arm’s reach. Babies can drown in just a few centimetres of water, very quickly and with no noise or struggle. Use as little water as possible to bathe your baby. If you need to leave the room, you should remove the child from the bath and take them with you. No words can express the pain that Chester’s family and loved ones are going through. Our thoughts and condolences are with them all. We are truly sorry for your loss.
Hello Fresh Scams: Beware of telephone calls being made by fraudsters pretending to be from Hello Fresh. We’ve had reports of calls being made from individuals claiming that the resident has won a competition for Hello Fresh, and that they will receive 14 boxes for £20. The fraudster advises the victim that they need to download an app to be able to access a code. The app that the scammer instructs them to download is one which grants the fraudster access to their computer. The software is then mis-used by the criminal to monitor the victim logging onto their online bank account, which allows the fraudster to see the victim’s personal and financial details. If you receive a similar call HANG UP! Do not provide any personal information, banking details or credit/debit card information. Never install any software or visit a website as a result of a cold call. Unsolicited requests for remote access to your computer should always raise a red flag. Report any scam calls to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Use Strong Passwords: Become a force to be reckoned with! Create a strong password for your email that's different to all your other passwords, to prevent criminals accessing your personal information. If your password is "starwars" then take the opportunity today to change that. Although "password" and "123456" are the most commonly used passwords, "starwars" comes up high in the top 200 used. Weak passwords are the path to the dark side. The National Cyber Security Centre suggests three random words to create a secure password - strong enough to keep criminals out and easy enough for you to remember.
Top tip: add capital letters, numbers and symbols to make your password even more effective!
Your Digital Footprint: Every time you use visit a website, send or receive a message or email, buy or book anything online, comment on a post, upload a photo or find directions on your phone, you’re adding to your digital footprint. When you stream music, make a video call or use a smart speaker, that adds to your digital footprint too. And when you post a photo of your children or friends, you’re also adding to their digital footprint, even though they may not have agreed to it. One of the commonplace consequences of having a digital footprint seeing an ad for something you’ve searched for online on your social media feed, or as a pop up. But there can be other, more serious outcomes too. Like when you don’t make the shortlist for a job because a prospective employer has seen something you posted five years ago. When you’re scammed because you’ve inadvertently shared some confidential details. Or when somebody sells on your personal information to a third party.
What happens when you have a digital footprint?
Your digital footprint is part of your online history and can potentially be seen by other people, or tracked and held in multiple databases, however careful you are with your privacy settings. Here are just a few examples of what can happen:
- Prospective or current employers can look into your and family members’ background.
- You, family members or friends could fall victim to fraud or identity theft … or both.
- Your children could be at risk of criminal activity threatening their online or physical safety.
- Records of your online activity could fall into the wrong hands, including organised crime groups.
- Tech companies such as browser and search engine providers can track and record what you’ve searched and viewed. This, in turn, could be shared with other parties including law enforcement agencies.
- Advertisers can track your movement from site to site to gauge your areas of interest.
- Companies can target you with specific marketing content on social media and other websites. You could also receive emails, letters or phone calls from these companies.
Your top tips
Think twice before sharing information about yourself, family members or friends that would be better kept private. That goes for social media, forms on websites and apps, responding to texts and messages and when taking part in surveys and quizzes.
Think before you post. Even if your social media privacy settings are set up correctly, there’s no guarantee that your posts or photos won’t be shared beyond those who you want to see them.
Be aware that every time you visit a website, your activity is visible to tech companies like website owners, browsers and search engines. Read terms and conditions and data privacy policies on websites and apps before providing any personal data or making transactions. What can the providers do with your data, and why would you agree to it? If you’re not comfortable with the information being requested, don’t provide it. Check geolocation settings on mobile devices, apps and cameras. If you don’t want anybody to know your whereabouts – or where you’ve been – disable them. Never stop enjoying the many excellent benefits of using the internet, but always bear in mind the digital trail you may be leaving, who may be able to access it and how they may be able to use it.
Combatting Loneliness: As part of the Cuppa & Chat project, East Suffolk Council are funding a grant pot to support communities in East Suffolk who have initiatives that help to combat loneliness and social isolation. Applications are welcomed for an award of up to £500 through a simple application process. For further information regarding the Fund, criteria and timescales, click here. To apply to the Communities Together Fund, click here or email info@communitiestogether-ea.org
Recall: Müller has taken the precautionary step of recalling some batches of various Cadbury branded dessert products because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
Cadbury Daim Chocolate Dessert
Pack size 75g
Use by 18 May 2023
Cadbury Crunchie Chocolate Dessert
Pack size 75g
Use by 17 May 2023
Cadbury Flake Chocolate Dessert
Pack size 75g
Use by 17 May 2023
Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons Chocolate Dessert
Pack size 75g
Use by 18 May 2023
Cadbury Dairy Milk Chunks Chocolate Dessert
Pack size 75g
Use by 18 May 2023
Cadbury Heroes Chocolate Dessert (six pack)
Pack size 6 x 75g
Use by 18 May 2023
If you have bought any of the above products do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund (with or without a receipt). For more information contact Müller on team_cccare@muller.co.uk or 07354 835 893.