Cold callers: We are receiving reports of traders visiting properties in and around Kesgrave offering to carry out block paving on driveways. PLEASE SHARE TO WARN NEIGHBOURS. Our advice is to never deal with traders on your doorstep. Do your research before agreeing to have any work carried out. Don't be fooled by sign printed vans, glossy leaflets and a website. While it might be tempting to agree to low prices being offered on the doorstep, think twice. Our advice is:
- never agree to have any work done as a result of a cold call, and don't be pressurised into having the job done immediately
- if you think work needs doing to your home, get quotes from 2 or 3 traders
- ask for the full name and address from a trader before considering dealing with them, and never rely solely on a mobile phone number
- ask for a written quotation detailing all the proposed work and a final price for the job BEFORE the work is started
- only pay once the work is completed to your satisfaction, don't pay up front for materials, don't pay cash
If you have any information, or if you have been approached by doorstep callers, please contact us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Protective biking gear: With the weather (slowly!) starting to improve we know that many of you will be in the market for new biking gear. As such we wanted to highlight a new scheme launched by Bennetts. The Bennetts High Performance Award aims to help riders establish the difference in safety levels and identify higher-performing clothing, gloves and footwear, with a database listing all approved products. There is no law that requires you to wear protective clothing whilst riding your motorcycle, but compliant protective gear is strongly recommended - it could save your life and prevent serious injury! Whether your gear is for track day racing, riding to work or for leisure rides, all of your motorcycle clothing that contains or can accommodate impact protectors (so everything apart from simple waterproofs) needs to comply with the relevant safety Regulations, have gone through the specified testing regime and be labelled correctly. Motorcycle clothing in its entirety (so not just the impact protectors), is now covered by the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations (otherwise known as PPE) and must be marked with a conformity safety mark (CE, new UKCA or UKNI marks), ratings for the level of protection and user information and warnings. The Regulations require protective clothing to undergo safety assessment and independent testing to ensure the product is compliant to the safety requirements and will provide suitable and sufficient protection against the risks they are intended to safeguard against, such as a fall from the bike and against injury from impact or abrasion. There are various levels of protection offered and the labels can be quite confusing. There are many counterfeit and poor-quality, cheap motorcycle clothing products available online, which can give a rider a false sense of protection and will reduce the actual level of protection provided (if any at all). Fakes can also be difficult to identify. Our advice is to always buy from a reputable retailer, look for the highest standards you can when buying, or look for a Bennetts High Performance Award: https://www.bennetts.co.uk/high-performance
Check on car recalls: Did you know you can check to see if your car has an outstanding safety recall? All you need is the number plate: https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall
FSA help: Food businesses can now find guidance and advice from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in one easy to access business guidance hub on food.gov.uk. The new hub brings together guidance on how to set up a food business, how to achieve a good food hygiene rating and manage allergens to keep customers safe. Businesses can also find new case studies on the FSA blog, telling real stories about how working with your local authority and the FSA helps get your business off the ground and grow safely and successfully. The FSA will also be publishing case studies from Environmental Health Practitioners across England and Wales, sharing why they do their job and what they're looking for when they inspect businesses. For more information on how to keep your business on track whilst keeping consumers safe head to the business guidance hub www.food.gov.uk/here-to-help. Alternatively, head to the FSA's easy to navigate guide for those starting up a new food business www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/getting-ready-to-start-your-food-business
IMMEDIATE INSPECTIONS REQUIRED ON A NUMBER OF BELLING GAS HOBS INSTALLED IN HOLIDAY HOMES AND CARAVANS: Investigations have identified that the connecting elbow joint from the gas hob to the gas supply to the property may fracture. This can cause gas to leak through the fracture and presents a serious risk of fire. All owners of one of the affected models must:
1. Isolate the gas supply to the hob or caravan / holiday home immediately, by turning off the isolation valve to the hob, or to the holiday home or caravan.
2. Contact Belling to arrange a free of charge modification via email on contactus@belling.co.uk or by telephone on 0343 212 1088.
It is vital that all Belling gas hobs detailed below, installed in a holiday caravan manufactured after May 2019, are urgently inspected and modified. This will be conducted free of charge.
444410131 - BEL GHU602GC Sta
444410132 - BEL GTG60C Blk
444410133 - BEL GHU75C Sta
444410134 - BEL GHG75C Blk
444410193 - ST GTG60C Blk
444410443 - BEL GHU602C LPG Sta
444410444 - BEL GHG600C LPG Blk
444410446 - BEL GHU75C LPG Sta
444410447 - BEL GTG75C LPG Blk
444411638 - BEL GHU753RI STA
Until the modification is completed by a registered Gas Safe engineer, the gas supply to the hob MUST be isolated. Once the simple modification is completed, the hob will be safe to use. If you own one of the affected hobs, or have any concerns, please contact Belling via email on contactus@belling.co.uk or by telephone on 0343 212 1088.
Adrenaline injector recall: Pharmaswiss Česka republika s.r.o. and distributor Bausch & Lomb UK Limited is recalling all unexpired batches of Emerade 500 micrograms and Emerade 300 micrograms adrenaline auto-injectors (also referred to as pens) from patients. This is because some have failed to activate as required when tested. No further supplies will be available of Emerade, and patients will need to be switched to an appropriate alternative (EpiPen or Jext). Your GP/doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional will contact you to make sure you get a new prescription for an alternative product. Once you have a replacement, you should return your Emerade auto-injectors to any pharmacy. You can contact your healthcare professional directly if you are worried. Different brands of adrenaline pens work differently. It is important that you receive training to ensure you are completely familiar with how the new device works.