Download IslingtonLife - Islington Council
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Safer <strong>Islington</strong><br />
Travel<br />
safely this<br />
Christmas<br />
The council, police and TfL are working<br />
together to make it safer for you to get<br />
home. Un-booked minicabs picked up<br />
in the street or outside pubs and clubs<br />
are illegal, unregulated and uninsured,<br />
and can also provide cover for serious<br />
crimes including sexual violence and<br />
robbery.<br />
If you’re using a minicab over<br />
Christmas, stay safe by:<br />
Booking it – you can text CAB to<br />
60835 to get two licensed local<br />
minicab and one local black cab (taxi)<br />
numbers sent directly to your phone<br />
(texts are 35p each plus standard<br />
message rate)<br />
Playing it straight<br />
There are good reasons to steer clear of<br />
dodgy electrical goods this Christmas.<br />
GHD hair straighteners were among<br />
the most counterfeited products<br />
advertised online last Christmas. Some<br />
of the fakes were not safe, causing<br />
serious burns and fires, and some even<br />
melted.<br />
Here are some tips from the<br />
council’s trading standards<br />
team on how to make sure that<br />
any electrical goods you buy<br />
are safe:<br />
Buy from a reputable shop or online<br />
retailer<br />
Check the voltage – 230V, 50Hz<br />
is the UK’s domestic voltage. Is the<br />
product fitted with a UK plug or<br />
charger?<br />
Check the seller’s contact details –<br />
make sure it’s a full address and not<br />
just a PO Box number. Not all .co.uk<br />
Checking it’s yours – make sure<br />
the driver knows your name and<br />
destination before you get in, and<br />
check their photo ID<br />
Sitting in the back – always sit in<br />
the back seat and have your mobile<br />
phone accessible in case there’s an<br />
emergency.<br />
Find more information about<br />
minicab safety, plus a journey<br />
planner, times of the first<br />
and last tubes and night bus<br />
maps at www.tfl.gov.uk<br />
websites are based in the UK<br />
Avoid second hand electrics – there’s<br />
no guarantee, no warranty, and you<br />
don’t know what condition it’s in<br />
Use online review sites – see what<br />
others have said about the company<br />
you are buying from and the product<br />
you are buying<br />
Read the product guarantees, the<br />
seller’s terms and conditions, returns<br />
policy and privacy statement<br />
Keep records of whatever you order.<br />
For more information about<br />
your consumer rights, call the<br />
Citizens Advice consumer<br />
helpline on 08454 04 05 06.<br />
If you are concerned about the<br />
goods an <strong>Islington</strong> business is offering,<br />
contact 020 7527 3198, or email<br />
trading.standards@islington.gov.uk<br />
Safety<br />
in the<br />
kitchen this<br />
Christmas<br />
Did you know that around 60<br />
per cent of accidental fires in<br />
the home start in the kitchen?<br />
Rhys Powell, London Fire<br />
Brigade’s Borough Commander<br />
for <strong>Islington</strong>, talks to<br />
<strong><strong>Islington</strong>Life</strong> about being safe<br />
in the kitchen this Christmas…<br />
“These may be simple tips but<br />
this Christmas we’d like to remind<br />
residents to:<br />
never leave cooking unattended<br />
turn off electrical appliances<br />
when they are not being used<br />
make sure your electrical items<br />
and gas appliances are serviced<br />
regularly.<br />
“In addition, our local firefighters<br />
can come to your home and give<br />
you advice on how to prevent fires<br />
and stay safe in your home.<br />
“During the visit, firefighters will<br />
not only offer advice on how to<br />
prevent a fire, but if required they<br />
will supply and fit smoke alarms.<br />
We can even fit specialist smoke<br />
alarms for the hard of hearing or<br />
visually impaired and all of this is<br />
free of charge.<br />
“Our crews in <strong>Islington</strong> would<br />
really like you to take advantage<br />
of this service - we would much<br />
rather come round and fit a smoke<br />
alarm than come to your home<br />
because of a fire.”<br />
To book a free home fire<br />
safety call us for free<br />
on 0800 028 44 28,<br />
or email us at<br />
smokealarms@london-fire.gov.uk<br />
Please quote the reference ISL 04.<br />
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