Unsafe inflatables: Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Team have detained a consignment of 464 unsafe Halloween outdoor inflatables. The consignment included 11 types of electronic outdoor inflatables, including: trees, pumpkins, Frankenstein's monsters, witch arches, spiders, ghosts, cats, dragons and grim reapers. The instructions were considered to be inadequate as they did not contain sufficient safety information to ensure the correct and safe use of the equipment. The instructions supplied did not contain the correct warnings needed. The products had not been marked with the name, trade mark or identification mark of the manufacturer or responsible vendor, no model number was displayed and it lacked rated voltage markings. The equipment had not been marked with a UKCA mark or a CE mark. The lack of markings, safety warnings and instructions could result in the inadvertent misuse of the product resulting in electric shock, fire or injury. The goods were imported from China and destined for sale on Amazon. The listings have been removed from the site and the goods will be destroyed. If you have purchased a product that you think may be unsafe, stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Spooky lenses: Adding spooky contact lenses to your fancy dress outfit this Halloween could put your sight at risk. There have been reported cases of serious corneal ulcers and infections associated with wear of plano cosmetic contact lenses. Corneal ulcers can progress rapidly, leading to internal ocular infection if left untreated. Uncontrolled infection can lead to corneal scarring and vision impairment. In extreme cases, this condition can result in blindness and eye loss. Other risks associated with the use of these lenses include conjunctivitis (an infection of the eye), corneal swelling, allergic reactions, corneal abrasion from poor lens fit and a reduction in vision, resulting in interference with activities such as driving.
How to wear Halloween contact lenses safely:
1. Before buying your contact lenses you should visit your eye care practitioner for a check-up. Even if you have good eyesight, you will still need to visit an optician to ensure that contact lenses are suitable for your eyes. If suitable, you will obtain a prescription with the lens dimensions to help you buy a proper fitting lens.
2. You should avoid buying lenses from untrustworthy retailers as they might not abide by the same safety standards and regulations as a reputable contact lens retailer. Reputable brands will only stock lenses from manufacturers that are created with quality and follow safety regulations.
3. Always put your lenses in before applying your Halloween make-up and take them out before you remove your make-up.
4. Do not share your lenses with anyone. By sharing, you increase the chances of spreading eye diseases and corneal ulcers.
5. Follow the directions for cleaning, disinfecting and wearing the lenses (do not use water). Do not overuse your lenses. If it is a single-use lens, then only wear it for the day and do not exceed the recommended wearing time. If in doubt, follow the manufacturers’ instructions.
6. Do not sleep with your cosmetic lenses in. The lenses will become misaligned, irritate your eyes and in a worst-case scenario, permanently damage your eyes.
7. If you suffer from any redness, itching, swelling or irritation then remove your lenses immediately. Consult an optician or visit A&E that has an eye department and get your eyes treated as soon as possible.
Firework safety: If you are planning a firework party this weekend, please make sure everyone is safe! With firework rockets able to reach speeds of 150 miles per hour and heights of 200 metres, they must be treated with the utmost respect! ONLY buy fireworks from reputable retailers, and ensure they have the CE or UKCA mark. Read all the safety warnings on the firework box so you know important information like how far away people should stand from the firework. Many fireworks require spectators to be 25 metres away, so make sure your garden is big enough! Let neighbours know in advance when you are planning to let off fireworks. Adhere to the fireworks curfew (the curfew is midnight on Fireworks Night, 1am on Diwali, New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year, and 11pm the rest of the year). If you're having a bonfire keep the area around it clear, tell your neighbours and have water or a hose ready.
Sparklers: What might you give to your child that burns 16 times hotter than a kettle? A sparkler! They can burn as hot as 1600°C. That’s 16 times hotter than boiling water.
So, always treat them with caution and remember:
- Wear gloves and keep the sparkler at arm’s length, as sparks can fly
- Only hold one sparkler at a time
- Teach children not to wave sparklers near anyone else or run around while holding them
- Once sparklers are out, put them in a bucket of water as they can stay very hot
For more firework safety tips visit: https://capt.org.uk/tips-for-firework-safety/
Stop, drop, roll: It’s scary to think about but if your child’s clothes catch on fire their instinct will be to run. And that won’t help! So, this firework season it’s important to teach children what to do. Remember, STOP, DROP, and ROLL: STOP what you are doing. DROP to the ground and cover your face with your hands. ROLL over and over to put out the flames. You can encourage children to practice putting out pretend flames by making it into a fun game in the garden. For more firework safety tips visit: https://capt.org.uk/firework-safety
Remember, fireworks are not for everyone. If you are planning on using fireworks at home, please think of pets and livestock that find them extremely distressing. Let your neighbours know when you plan to let the fireworks off so that they can safeguard their animals. If you live close to livestock or horses, make sure you site your fireworks well away from them and aim them in the opposite direction. Remove all the remnants and debris of fireworks to ensure they don’t pose a risk to pets, livestock and wildlife.
If you own a pet or another animal, here are some tips that might help:
- Walk dogs before it gets dark.
- Keep dogs and cats inside when fireworks are likely to be set off, and provide them somewhere safe to hide.
- Close windows and curtains.
- Give small pets who live outdoors lots of extra bedding and nesting material to burrow in.
- Keep livestock housed at times when fireworks are likely to be set off locally and remove any firework debris from grazing pasture before letting them out.
- Horses may be better turned out in a field than stabled, as in a stable they may feel enclosed and unable to move. Owners should consult a qualified equine behaviourist if they have significant concerns about their horse’s response to fireworks.
Product Recall for Quality Street Sweet Glass Baubles sold by John Lewis. The products present a risk of cuts as they may be mistaken for real chocolates and break in the mouth or hands. The products do not meet the requirements of the Food Imitations (Safety) Regulations 1989 or the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Product Codes: 76640881, 76640856, 76640883, 76640880, 76640822, 76640882. Sales Period: 1st September 2023 to 17th October 2024. Description: Various colours of glass baubles in Fudge, Coffee Crème, The Purple One®, The Green Triangle, Caramel Swirl and Strawberry Delight designs. Consumers are advised to stop using the product immediately and return the item to a John Lewis & Partners store for a full refund. For further assistance please contact the John Lewis customer service team on 03456 049 049 (09.00-17.00 Monday to Friday).