As Halloween approaches, charity Guide Dogs is highlighting the importance of preparing puppies ahead of the big day, with Halloween festivities exposing young dogs to many potentially overwhelming new experiences.
Puppies are naturally curious but can become fearful when confronted with unfamiliar situations. Early socialisation helps dogs to build confidence and adapt to new situations, making them more able to handle situations calmly.
All guide dogs are carefully socialised throughout their time as puppies before undertaking comprehensive 6-month training programmes once fully grown. If they are successful in their training, they become trusted companions, helping people with sight loss live active, independent, and full lives.
The sight loss charity recently hosted a Halloween socialisation afternoon for a litter of seven five-week old prospective guide dog puppies, exposing them to new and unusual objects they might encounter during spooky season from pumpkins, to fancy dress and ghostly decorations.
As well as being alert to new and potentially scary experiences, the charity is also encouraging new puppy owners to be extra vigilant of what their four-legged pals are eating at this tempting time of year, as Halloween typically sees a surge in dogs getting hold of sweet treats, such as chocolate, which is poisonous to dogs.
To help get your puppy Halloween ready and avoid them getting spooked, tricked or freaked this Halloween, Hannah Wright, National Dog Training Lead from Guide Dogs reveals the charity’s top tips:
1. Walk your dog earlier in the day, before any trick-or-treaters are out on the streets. Plenty of exercise will also likely mean your dog is more relaxed and calmer in the evening if there are strange-looking visitors or noises outside.
2. If you know your dog may struggle when the areas around your house are busier, plan ahead and create some soothing enrichment activities you can do with them at home if they wish to.
3. If you have children coming to your home for sweets, make sure your dog has a cosy quiet den well away from the front door. You can always leave a bowl outside on your front step with a sign to stop people knocking or ringing the doorbell. If you are not open to trick-or-treaters, make sure the front of your house is dark.
4. If your dog is frightened by someone in a costume or mask or struggles to recognise a family member when they are dressed up, don’t force them to interact. Halloween can be confusing – it’s best to remove strange accessories if it makes your dog feel more comfortable.
5. And leave the costumes for the humans. Dogs should not be dressed up in Halloween outfits, as they may find this a stressful experience. Such costumes can be hot, irritating or limit your dog’s movement.
6. The candle inside a jack-o’-lantern can be very dangerous; never leave a lit candle alone, and never have them on the floor when you have children or dogs present.
7. Keep all Halloween sweets and chocolate well out of reach, and make sure any visiting children know they are not to share any of their treats with pets. Chocolate, raisins and the sweetener Xylitol are all toxic to dogs, and ingesting plastic wrappers or foil can cause issues too.
To support the charity, enrich your dog’s life and receive treats for you and your four-legged friend, subscribe to Good Dog! at:
AUTUMN is upon us! It’s the season for muddy woodland walks and enjoying the delights this time of year has to offer.
The trees will shed, and you’ll find yourself kicking through piles of crunchy golden leaves on walks. Tree seeds will also ripen and fall, and you’ll find heaps of acorns and shiny conkers on the ground.
Although autumnal walks with your dog can be beautiful, it’s important to be aware of the seasonal dangers that could be harmful to them.
PDSA Vet Lynne James says: “Acorns and conkers perfectly signify the seasons changing, and whilst we may enjoy collecting or playing with them, don’t forget that they can be a danger for our pets if they’re swallowed.
“Thankfully, the bitter taste stops most pets eating them, however they can be tempting to play with and some owners enjoy throwing conkers for pets to catch without realising the risks.
“They can easily swallow them, causing tummy upsets or even a potentially life-threatening blockage of their throat or intestines. Not forgetting they do also contain toxins, which can be harmful to pets.
“If your pet is showing signs of choking on an acorn or conker, this is when pet first aid can become a life-saver. We would advise pet owners to download our free pet first aid guide and learn a few very basic steps to help protect your pets.”
What to do if your pet is choking
“A choking pet will usually have difficulty breathing, make choking sounds, might paw at their mouth and you might see their lips, gums and tongue turning blue.
“Although panic can be a natural reaction in an emergency, try to keep yourself and your pet calm. If they are choking and conscious, try to gently open their mouth to look for something that’s stuck. If you can see a blockage in their mouth, you can use tweezers from your pet first aid kit, or a strong pen to remove it. Always take care when putting anything in your pet’s mouth and never use your fingers as they may panic and could bite you by accident.
“If you can’t remove it and your pet is collapsed and unconscious, lay your pet on their side and place both hands on the side of your pet’s rib cage. Then push quickly and firmly or strike the rib cage with the flat of your hand three to four times – the idea is to push air and the object out of their lungs.
“If you are still unable to dislodge the object, call your vet straight away for an emergency appointment.
“Contact the vet even if you successfully remove the blockage or if your pet clears the object but is still coughing.
Acorns
“Acorns contain a toxin that if ingested, can upset your pet’s stomach, and make them sick. Although rare, if eaten in large amounts, acorns can even cause kidney and liver failure. It’s actually unripe, green acorns that are more poisonous than brown ones, but all parts of the oak tree are poisonous if eaten!
Conkers
“Conkers contain a mixture of toxic compounds which may cause signs of poisoning, such as vomiting, diarrhoea and collapse. They do have a bitter taste that puts most pets off from eating a lot of them, however if consumed in large amounts, conkers can cause more serious effects, and in some rare cases, can even be deadly.
“It’s important to know what signs to look out for, should your pet get their paws on acorns or conkers and consume them. Signs of illness will usually show within a few hours following chewing or ingestion, but can be delayed for up to a couple of days. The most common signs include:
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Restlessness
Collapsing
“Should your pet show any of the above, or other unusual signs, it could be an indication that they are unwell. Always seek advice from your Vet as soon as possible.”
Fireworks can be super scary for our pets. According to the 2022 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, 41% of dogs and 30% of cats are scared of fireworks – that’s 4.1 million dogs and 3.3 million cats across the UK.
“Fireworks can be very scary and stressful for our pets,” explains PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing. “It’s difficult for them to understand that they aren’t and shouldn’t be in danger when they hear or see fireworks, but as their senses are much stronger than ours, they experience fireworks so much more intensely than we do.
“Fortunately, there are plenty of little things you can do to keep your cats and dogs calm throughout fireworks season, and the earlier you start, the easier it will be on the night!”
Preparation is key
Check the dates of any nearby firework displays so you know when to expect the loud bangs and flashes.
Make sure you have curtains/blinds on all your windows and close them to block out the flashes of light.
Shut and secure all windows, doors and cat flaps and play some music or have the TV on to drown out some of the noise outside
Build pets a safe haven den
Ensure your pet’s microchip details are up-to-date to give you a better chance of being reunited if they run away from home.
Plug in a pheromone diffuser
Create a ‘safe space’ for them by making a firework den
“A cosy, safe den can help your pet feel safe and secure if they are frightened on fireworks night,” suggests Nina.
Make it somewhere they go when they feel worried. Cats often feel safest when they’re up high, so they’ll probably like their den to be on a shelf, on top of a wardrobe, or in the top of a cupboard. A covered cat bed is ideal for helping them feel protected, but make sure it’s well secured and won’t fall off wherever you put it. Dogs may prefer their den behind the sofa, under a table, in a crate, or inside a big, safe, empty cupboard. You know your pet best!
Make the den a few weeks before fireworks season starts so they get used to it, and give them treats/praise when they go in so they think of it as a nice place.
Make it as enclosed as possible by using an enclosed bed, a cardboard box, or by draping blankets over whatever you’re using.
Make it comfortable with their bed or lots of cushions and blankets, put some of their favourite toys and treats in it, too.
Give them access to it at all times, but never force them into it or shut them inside it.
Make sure they have a bowl of water very near to it.
Don’t be disheartened if they don’t use it, or choose to hide somewhere else.
Keep an eye on them when they’re in the den, but don’t disturb them – if they’re in it, it’s likely they want to be alone.
Never force them out of the den even if they’ve been in it for a long time – just make sure they have access to food and water.
Pheromones for cats and dogs – get started early
“Pheromones are chemical messages that animals produce to mark their territory and communicate with each other, some of which help them feel calm,” explains Nina.
“You can help your pet feel extra calm on fireworks night by using a pheromone diffuser, or spray, which contains man-made ‘happy’ pheromones.
“For the best effect, plug a diffuser in a few weeks before firework season begins and keep it topped up until the season has ended. If you’re using a spray (for more immediate effect), let it settle for 15 minutes before allowing your pet into the room so all the alcohol in it has evaporated – it’s not dangerous, they just don’t like the smell.”
When to contact your vet
“If you have tried all the recommended steps and your pet is still scared of fireworks, your vet may be able to prescribe medication to help relax them on the night.
“These medications should only be used as a short-term solution. Speak to your vet well before fireworks season to allow yourself enough time to find the most effective medication for your pet.”
Desensitisation
“It is possible to teach your pets that firework noises aren’t frightening, this is called ‘desensitisation’, then to convince them they are a good thing, this is called ‘counterconditioning’,” explains Nina.
“However, unfortunately this is not a quick process, and has to be taken slowly, so it’s unlikely to benefit your pet straight away. If your pet struggles over the next few months, talk to your vet about setting up a training program for next year.”
Step 1: Play firework sounds through a speaker at home, at a very low volume. Act normally, but watch your pet for any reaction which might indicate stress or anxiety. If they react at all, stop the session and start again the next day at a lower volume. If they seem comfortable, keep playing the sounds for a few minutes before turning them off.
Step 2: Repeat at the current volume a number of times over a few days, and if they seem completely comfortable, increase the volume slightly, and start again from step one – take this slowly, don’t rush to turn the volume up.
Step 3: Once they are completely happy with very loud firework noises and don’t react at all (desensitisation), you can start convincing them that the noises are a good thing (counterconditioning). Do this by turning on the firework sounds and giving them a treat straight away. As soon as they finish the treat, turn the sounds off. Eventually, your pet will start to associate the noises with a treat and might even start to enjoy the noises or get excited!
For more information. and to download PDSA’s free fireworks guide, visit:
Edinburgh’s Family and Household Support Service has prevented at least 350 households from becoming homeless, a council report has revealed.
At a meeting of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee this week, councillors heard how the service is providing a citywide approach to ‘getting it right for everyone’ – with the aim of helping vulnerable residents before it’s too late.
Through referrals from sources such as teachers, housing officers and social workers to police officers and politicians, it has been possible to intervene early in many cases to help households in Edinburgh access the right advice and support.
Around £300,000 in welfare has been sourced to support families referred to the service, alongside advice on issues as varied as parenting, addiction, employment and health and wellbeing, according to the council report.
Working directly with teams which handle antisocial behaviour complaints and neighbourly disputes, the service is also working to prevent repeat instances of antisocial behaviour by working holistically with those involved to assess any support needs.
The Committee also heard how the service is successfully helping tenants sustain their tenancy once they move into a new home. Edinburgh’s ‘Keys and a Kit’ programme as it has been dubbed features sessions on finances, health and local community resources and activities to help new tenants settle in, which can be particularly important following a long period of homelessness.
By making the best use of limited resources by working collaboratively with charities and others, it is also estimated that this preventative approach has provided a saving to the council of close to £6m since 1 April 2022.
Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Every day, our tenants are interacting with council services – be it for health care, school, or welfare. These services need to be joined up so that we can better support the whole life of a tenant and it’s great to see the difference this ‘getting it right for everyone’ approach is making.
“Thanks to early intervention from council workers and from our partners, we’ve prevented homelessness for hundreds of households. Families entitled to benefits have been helped and tenants moving into new homes have been supported.
“Plus an extra advantage of this has been £4.5m of costs associated with homelessness avoided in the last year alone, at a time when our finances are under immense pressure.
“I hope to see us build on this even further now that the Family and Household Support Service reports into the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee.
“I’m confident that we’ll be able to draw this work together even more and build in other measures, such as noticing when a tenant’s home may be suffering from damp or is in need of an essential repair.”
During summer last year, when the UK faced record-breaking high temperatures of over 40C in July, over 50% of dogs treated for ‘heatstroke’ by PDSA* were those with flat faces (brachycephalic breeds) such as Pugs, British & French Bulldogs and Shih Tzus.
With the summer season underway, a group of UK dog welfare experts is urging owners of flat-faced dog breeds to take extra care to protect these dogs in the warm weather.
The poor ability of these types of dogs to keep themselves cool by panting because of their abnormally flattened faces means that they are at huge risk of heatstroke in hot weather.
A survey by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) showed that over half of vets surveyed had treated flat-faced dogs for heatstroke in the past year.
In a separate BVA survey, following last year’s record-breaking heatwave, many vets also reported being especially concerned about the impact of hot weather on flat-faced dogs, with some vets worried that owners often did not recognise visible or audible signs of heat stress in their dogs.
The Brachycephalic Working Group (BWG), a national group of the UK’s leading dog health and welfare organisations and vets, has issued advice specifically aimed at owners of flat-faced breeds, to help protect these dogs in the hotter temperatures and summer sunshine:
Help them stay cool in hot weather – Dogs don’t sweat like humans do; instead the main way they cool themselves down is by panting. The limited breathing abilities of some flat-faced dogs means they often struggle to cool themselves down and ineffective panting in these dogs only further exacerbates their breathing difficulties.
Encourage your dog to stay in shaded areas, avoid exertion (such as outdoor walks or a game of fetch) and stay indoors through the heat of the day. Never leave flat-faced dogs in a car or conservatory, where they can overheat rapidly even on a relatively mild or overcast day.
Plan your walks – Always avoid the warmest parts of the day to head out with your dog. Plan your walks for dawn and dusk. If this isn’t possible, it’s far better to skip a walk rather than risk a flat-faced dog going outside – a dog can develop heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes in warm conditions.
Keep cool with fresh drinks – Ensure your dog stays well hydrated by placing bowls of fresh water around the house. And for an extra cool drink, you can add in some ice-cubes.
Spot the early signs your dog is struggling with the heat – Being aware of physical changes to your dog from over-heating can enable owners to intervene earlier, hopefully before heatstroke sets in. Look out for the following changes in your dog: breathing more heavily than usual, having less energy, less playful than normal, panting more, stumbling or laying down.
Recognising the signs of heatstroke – Being able to spot the signs of heatstroke and knowing when to act can save your pet’s life. Signs can vary from excessive panting, confusion, bright red gums, foaming at the mouth, vomiting, diarrhoea, collapse or even seizures.
Cool your dog down quickly – if your dog shows any of the above signs, it’s essential to cool them down as quickly as possible. Move them into a cool area, pour cool water from the cold tap and offer them small amounts of water to drink. Be sure to contact your vet as soon as possible so they can offer the best advice for your situation. Always remember to ‘cool first, transport second’1 when taking your dog for veterinary care for heatstroke.
Knowing Pet First Aid could save your pet’s life – Being comfortable and able to perform Pet First Aid before you get to a vet could be vital for your dog in an emergency, especially in cases of heatstroke. PDSA has a free Pet First Aid guide, full of tips and tricks for pet owners, should the worst happen.
Due to their flattened skull shapes, flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs do not have the naturally longer nose that helps other types of dogs to lose heat during panting, meaning flat-faced breeds often struggle more than other types of dogs to lose heat effectively.
These problems are exacerbated in hot weather and especially if the dogs are exercised. Owners of flat-faced breeds should be extra vigilant in the summer months when it’s likely to be warmer than usual. Warm weather can be fatal for all breeds of dogs, so it is important all owners are aware of the severe dangers.
Dr Dan O’Neill, Chair of the BWG, said: “Flat-faced dogs are currently hugely popular in the UK but owners of these breeds need to especially vigilant to protect their dogs from heatstroke.
“Avoid exercise during hot parts of the day and wet these dogs liberally as soon as they show are any signs of overheating.
“If you are concerned, contact your vet as soon as possible. The core message is ‘when in doubt, don’t go out – Dogs Die on Hot Walks’.”
The BWG, which is made up of veterinary associations, welfare organisations, universities, the government, breeders and dog owners, has more information about heat-related illness in brachycephalic dogs, and an infographic with advice, on the Group’s website.
Students getting their exam results today should be very proud of their achievements, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has said, with pass rates remaining above pre-pandemic levels.
Data published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) showed the overall pass rate for National 5, Highers and Advanced Highers has increased from the 2019 pre-pandemic level, with a record number of passes in an exam year achieved at National 5.
The number of vocational and technical qualifications achieved has also grown to a record high this year – with more than 72,000 qualifications awarded in 2023, an increase of 12.3% from 2022.
The poverty-related attainment gap remains narrower than it was in 2019 across National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “I want to offer my congratulations to all of you who have worked so hard and demonstrated so much resilience not just this year but over the course of your studies. Today is all about celebrating your achievements and you should be incredibly proud of all you have accomplished.
“I would also like to send my sincere thanks and gratitude for the continued dedication and commitment of those in our education system – thank you to all of Scotland’s teachers, lecturers, support staff as well as parents and carers for supporting our young people.
“There is much to celebrate in what is another strong set of results showing a clear and continuing recovery from the pandemic – with pass rates at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher above the 2019 pre-pandemic level, a record number of passes at National 5 and the highest number of vocational and technical qualifications ever awarded.
“While we know that the pandemic has disproportionately impacted young people from more disadvantaged backgrounds, these results show that the gap in attainment levels between the least and most deprived areas remains narrower than it was in 2019. We are determined to build on the progress that has been made and we are investing a record £1 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge during this parliamentary term.
“For those who don’t get the results they were looking for, a free and direct appeals service will give all young people the right to request a review of their marked exam papers or coursework for their National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results this year. Additionally, as you consider your next steps there is help available to guide you.
“The Skills Development Scotland Careers Helpline can offer practical information and careers advice as well as support for wellbeing. The SQA helpline is also open and can help students and their families with queries relating to the Scottish Qualifications Certificates.”
As exam results arrive this morning students are being assured that things may not be as bad as they seem – and that help and advice is at hand:
Adeniyi Alade, Service Head Helplines (Childline), Scotland, said: “At Childline we know that results day and the period running up to it can be a really stressful time for young people and it is vital they feel supported and listened to.
“Young people often tell us they are worried they will get lower grades than they need to get into their preferred course or University, and they feel anxious and unsettled because it’s out of their control.
“Often, they have high expectations for themselves, or they feel their family is putting them under pressure to perform well.
“Some young people think their whole future depends on these results and this is their last chance to get into the further education course of their choice, or an apprenticeship that they have applied for. But it is important they know there are many options, whatever their grades are.
“It’s possible the young person could appeal their results or resit their exams the following year. They could also look at alternative courses or universities through clearing, and there’s the option of taking a gap year. Speaking to a teacher could be very helpful in assisting a young person to decide on which is the best option to take.
“If any young person is feeling apprehensive and worried about their results, I’d urge them to talk to someone about it.
“It can be very upsetting for a young person not to get the grades they had hoped for or expected, and it can affect their confidence. But it’s important for them to know that many others are going through the same thing and there are a range of options to explore.
“There are also lots of trusted adults they can turn to for help and support, whether that’s a teacher, careers advisor, parent, carer or Childline.
“Every year our specially trained counsellors carry out counselling sessions with hundreds of children across the UK who are worried about their exams and results. They listen to the young person’s concerns, offer advice about dealing with anxiety and help explore the different options available for those who don’t get their desired results.
“The conversation is confidential and no worry is ever too small.”
One student said: “It’s my first results day this week and I’m so nervous. I don’t want to let my parents down. They push me so hard to study and excel that I can’t even imagine how they’ll react if I get bad grades.
“I worry everyone at school will see me as a failure. I try to distract myself but when I remember results day is coming, I’m overwhelmed by anxiety and fear. I just wish someone would tell me it’ll all be ok.“ (Gender unknown, aged 16, from Scotland)
Another explaned: “I don’t know what will be of me if I don’t do well on my exams. I feel so stupid I didn’t prepare enough for them.
“My parents told me I shouldn’t stress too much, but I can feel the pressure since my siblings all did super well in their exams and are off to great careers. I didn’t have a good night sleep in over a week, and I worry I may pass out when the results are out.” (Girl, aged 16, from Scotland)
Young people under the age of 19 can get free, confidential support and advice from Childline at www.childline.org.uk or by calling 0800 1111 for free.
Top Italian American restaurant Frankie & Benny’s is giving away FREE pizza and Coke Zero to students celebrating their Scottish Highers results.
No matter what your exam grades are Frankie & Benny’s, the ultimate family friendly restaurant, will help you celebrate your hard work.
This offer entitles guests on Tuesday August 8 results day who show their exam results to a member of staff to a free Margarita Pizza (Vegan & Gluten Free Available) and a regular Coke (Coke Zero, Regular Coke, Diet Coke).
The free meal offer is available on August 8 in Scotland only and additional pizza toppings can be bought from the menu. There are no catches, you don’t have to buy anything just come in and celebrate with Frankie & Benny’s.
Frankie & Benny’s Marketing Director, Andreia Harwood, said: “We recognise that the cost of living crisis is hard on us all but we wanted to make sure our hard working students can celebrate their exam results day on us. This summer has all been about our customers still being able to enjoy great meals out with the family particularly over the summer months when kids are at home and we look for treats to entertain them.
“The summer savings and the exam results FREE offers are all about Frankie & Benny’s putting our customers at the forefront of everything we do and making sure they can have an amazing summer.”
This summer, Frankie & Benny’s, the popular Italian restaurant, want families and friends to enjoy meals out on a budget and have announced a series of summer saving meal deals
The deals were introduced to help families facing the cost of living crisis.
Frankie & Benny’s is offering two ‘always on’ summer promotion offers which are available now and until the end of August.
The first is a weekday offer available Monday to Friday after 7pm allowing guests to have two main courses of pizza, burgers and or pasta dishes for just £20. This will give a saving of up to £15.
Main courses available include the double bacon cheeseburger with fries, and the creamy chicken and ‘nduja fettucine- both solid favourites with Frankie & Benny fans.
The second deal is designed for family and friends dining out at the weekend. Throughout the summer Frankie & Benny’s is offering two for the price of one main meals all day Sunday, saving up to £21.90!
Dishes include the New York BBQ chicken loaded up with bacon, cheese, onion rings and fries, as well the classic Mac & Cheese (with, or without, bacon!).
Mexican favourite Chiquito is putting the fiesta fun in results day by giving away FREE Garlic Tortilla Bread and Coke Zero to students celebrating their Scottish Highers.
No matter what your exam grades are Chiquito, known for delicious food and tasty cocktails, will help you celebrate your hard work.
This offer entitles guests on Tuesday August 8 results day who show their exam results to a member of staff to get a free portion of Garlic Tortilla Bread and a regular Coke (Coke Zero, Regular Coke, Diet Coke).
The free meal offer is available on August 8 in Scotland only and additional dishes can be bought from the menu. There are no catches, you don’t have to buy anything just come in and have fun with Chiquito.
Chiquito Marketing Director, Andreia Harwood, said: “We recognise that the cost of living crisis is hard on us all but we wanted to make sure our hard working students can celebrate their exam results day on us.
“This summer has all been about our customers still being able to enjoy great meals out with the family and friends. The summer savings and the exam results FREE offers are all about Chiquito putting our customers at the forefront of everything we do and making sure they can have an amazing summer.”
This summer Chiquito has helped families and friends with a series of super saving meal deals.
Chiquito, which has been delivering the best of Mexican cuisine for over 30 years, has two amazing ‘always on summer deals’ designed to make dining out more affordable until August 31.
Between Monday to Friday (after 7pm) Chiquito is offering two main meals for £20, which includes delicious sizzling fajitas, tasty burritos, Tacos, chimichangas and enchiladas. This will save guests up to £15.
Chiquito is also offering a summer always on promotions two for the price of one main mealsall day Sunday which will help out those dining out at the weekend. This will save guests up to £21.90.
What can I do to stop thieves entering and stealing from my garden?
If you have a garden, it’s the first thing an intruder will have to deal with if they want to break into your house. There are also items in your garden which a thief may wish to steal.
Take some simple steps to secure your garden, shed and garage.
Keep hedges, walls and fences low at the front of your house. Keep this to a maximum of 1.2 metres high. This will make it harder for thieves to go unseen by neighbours or people passing by.
Install locked gates so it’s hard to get into the back or sides. Rear fences and walls should be a minimum 1.8 to 2 metres in height. Trellis topping or an intruder deterrent strip can make climbing difficult.
Grow aggressive shrubbery to make it hard for intruders to climb through. Ideal plants include berberis, blue spruce, common holly, giant rhubarb, golden bamboo, firethorn, shrub rose, pencil Christmas tree, juniper and rubus (bramble).
Security lighting around your property can act as a deterrent. Ask whether neighbours would see someone with the light. Careful use of lighting will inform you or neighbours if someone is there.
Avoid floodlighting that can cause problems to neighbouring properties.
Make sure waste / recycling bins aren’t in a place which will make them easy to use to step or climb over fences/walls or access windows.
Lock away any garden implements, furniture or tools in a shed, garage or outside store. Items such as ladders can be useful for breaking into your home.
What can I do to protect property in my shed and garage?
Photograph valuable items of garden furniture or tools and keep a record of the make, model, colour and serial numbers.
Use a UV pen or DNA Marking Kit to security mark your tools or furniture with your house number and postcode
Use a chain to lock garden tools and furniture together, ensure the anchor point is securely fixed to the ground or solid structure
Fit a good quality hasp and padlock to the door, make sure it is fitted with dome headed or non-returnable screws to prevent tampering
Depending on the type of window, you could consider fitting internal window grills, heavy wire mesh or reinforced glass
If a window opens, a window lock should be fitted
If you have an intruder alarm, consider extending it to cover sheds, garages and outbuildings. Ensure that there is a visible external sounder box
If you do not have a secure shed, don’t leave items lying out bring items inside
If your garage joins with your home and there is a through door, it should be to the same security standard as your front or back door, and when not being used you should keep it locked.
With summer in full swing, Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is sharing its expertise to help gardens thrive this season. Dobbies’ gardening experts in Edinburgh are hosting two free sessions, for both children and adults, to help them learn about what plants do well during sunny spells and how to protect your garden in the warmer months.
According to Your Weather, the last two summers in the UK have been drier than the historical average. Dobbies’ horticultural experts will lend a hand to offer free advice to customers in Edinburgh about how to maximise their outdoor space and ensure their gardens are prepared for whatever the weather may bring.
Dobbies’ interactive Grow How session takes place on Saturday 5 August at 10:30am where customers will be invited along to further their gardening expertise. Attendees will get advice on plants that will thrive in sunny spots, insider tips for getting the garden to grow and the different types of drought-friendly plants to keep your outdoor space vibrant all summer long.
The Little Seedlings Club takes place on Sunday 6 August and is ideally suited for children aged 4-10 years old, offering a jam-packed interactive workshop with educational content and craft activities. Kids will learn about summer as a season, what the warm weather means for the environment, how plants adapt to dry weather, specific plants to grow and how we can be safe in the sun.
Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, said: “The hottest summer months can have an impact on the overall health of your plants and the success of your garden. Choosing the correct plants for the right position and soil in your garden is essential.
“Many plants have adapted and evolved to cope with hot and dry weather conditions, and gardeners in Edinburgh can take advantage of this by potting up plants such as Lavender and Rosemary or by growing palms or outdoor succulents.
“Certain plants like Salvia, Lemon trees and Dahlias all burst with vibrant colours and thrive in a sunny spot, a great choice for south facing gardens or balconies that get sunlight all day.
“Our in-store experts are looking forward to speaking with customers and our Little Seedlings Club members to make sure everyone is putting their best foot forward this summer.”
Around 70% of British people consider password loss as stressful as a personal injury or an illness, financial problems, or dismissal from work, the latest digital stress survey conducted by NordPass indicates.
The study, which investigated the effects increasing cybersecurity demands have on people’s mental health, reveals that 67% of adults in the United Kingdom (UK) fear losing access to an important account without a reset option.
To compare, fewer people — 64% — find a personal injury or illness highly stressful. Dismissal from work and financial problems terrify 70% and 72% of people respectively.
Tomas Smalakys, the CTO of NordPass, said: “The fact that password management issues cause more worries for British people than personal health matters is concerning.
“This insight again proves passwords no longer fit people’s needs, and the switch towards alternative methods of online authentication should become the key priority for service providers,”
Why do passwords cause so much stress?
NordPass found that the fear of losing access to an account is related to a person having too many passwords at hand and, as a result, struggling to recall which password belongs to which account.
In the UK, almost half (45%) of internet users agreed password management is a challenge for them. In the US, even more people (56%) feel this way.
According to NordPass data, an average internet user has around 100 passwords to manage. This number contains both personal and business accounts, many of which are used on a daily basis.
As Smalakys explains, with so many credentials to remember, people tend to create weak passwords and reuse them, which then results in data breaches:
“It’s an unfortunate cycle. We fear losing access to our accounts and create simple passwords so we don’t forget them, while the most direct way to lose an account is actually to create a simple password for it,” says Smalakys.
Based on the latest Verizon Data Breach Investigations report, 74% of all breaches include the human element, and creation of weak passwords is among the key causes.
Tips to reduce password management induced stress
To ensure password management is less challenging, Smalakys recommends using the following cybersecurity practices:
1. Adopt a password manager. This solution allows someone to securely store all passwords, passkeys, credit cards, and other digital assets in one place, autofilling them on websites and sharing them with others in an end-to-end encrypted environment. Password managers also generate secure passwords consisting of at least 20 digits.
2. Give passkeys a try. Many tech companies, including Microsoft, Google, and Apple, offer a passwordless login with passkeys. Passkeys are a new technology, approved by the prestigious FIDO Alliance and considered the healthiest and the most convenient alternative to passwords.
3. Delete accounts you no longer use. Rarely used accounts often get abandoned, which makes them attractive to cybercriminals. The passwords for these accounts become outdated and are then easily crackable.
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