Tag: community safety

Fire safety guidance for high-rise homes

PIC: Dave Pickering

Residents in high-rise properties are being given leaflets outlining how to prevent fires in the home and what to do if one starts in their building.

The advice, produced by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, is being delivered to high-rise homes from December and will also be available in libraries and community centres in all 15 local authorities with the properties. Continue reading Fire safety guidance for high-rise homes

Festive drink and drug-drive campaign launched

MOTORISTS WARNED OF ZERO TOLERANCE APPROACH

The Justice Secretary and Police Scotland have launched this year’s festive campaign to tackle drink- and drug-driving.

This is the first festive enforcement and awareness campaign to include the use of the new drug-drive laws which came into force last month.

The campaign highlights the criminal and personal consequences of being found guilty of driving a vehicle while under the influence alcohol or with drugs in your system.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Driving a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is totally unacceptable and puts not only the driver, but passengers and other road users, at risk of serious injury or even death.

“As well as such devastating consequences, drivers caught drink or drug-driving also face significant criminal penalties which could result in them losing their licence or their liberty.

“The new drug-driving law and Scotland’s low driver-alcohol limit are focused on making our roads safer for everyone.”

Superintendent Louise Blakelock, Police Scotland’s Deputy Head of Road Policing, said: “As we move into the festive party season, we are reminding motorists of the devastating consequences driving with alcohol or drugs in their system can have.

“New roadside testing for drugs was introduced on 21 October and disappointingly we have seen nearly 100 people provide positive tests in the first four weeks. Our Festive Drink Drug-Driving Campaign starts on 1 December and we will have dedicated resources on patrol, targeting motorists who choose to take the risk of taking drugs and driving or drinking and driving.

“I am urging people to plan ahead during the party season. Think about how you’re going to get home safely and don’t forget about the impact alcohol can still have the morning after.”

This is the first festive period when motorists face roadside drugs test, under a new law which came into force 21 October. This introduced drug-drive limits and a zero tolerance approach to the eight drugs most associated with illegal use, including cannabis, heroin and cocaine.

Police can now carry out testing using mouth swabs for any motorist they suspect of drug-driving or who has been involved in an accident or stopped for a traffic offence.

During the first four weeks of the new law coming into force (21 October-18 November) 96 people have provided positive roadside tests. Of the 96, six were women aged between 23 and 42. The 90 men were aged between 17 and 50.

 

 

Kirk Loan residents celebrate walkable pathways

Corstorphine residents will be celebrating success later today with lunch in the residents lounge following the completion of a succesful partnership project.

Kirk Loan Residents Association have been working with Living Streets Scotland and the city council to get improvements made to local streets, enabling residents to walk more for everyday, local journeys.

Kate Joester, Project Coordinator (Walking Connects) explained:  “Living Streets Scotland worked alongside Kirk Loan residents to conduct a street audit, detailing the problems with the road.

“We then helped the residents’ group contact the correct councillors and other elected officials in order to work with the roads teams at Edinburgh Council, to help them understand the impact that the damaged pavements and lack of drop kerbs had on Kirk Loan residents.

“Edinburgh Council agreed that these concerns were valid, as the street had so many residents with mobility problems. Summer 2019 saw the council undertake and complete all the street repairs identified by the residents in their audit – the result being that many residents are now able to reach the local shops and bus stop, instead of feeling isolated in their accommodation.

“There is still some work that Kirk Loan residents would like to see done, such as shop fronts being more accessible for those who use wheelchairs and walkers.

“They are hopeful that, with the contacts they have made and the success they have had so far, they will be able to work with both the council and shop owners to make residents even more regular customers on St John’s Road, enriching the local community and encouraging a sense of belonging once more.”

Police launch Operation Winter City

Police in Edinburgh have launched their annual campaign to keep the public safe during the festive period.

Operation Winter City, which has been running for several years, provides those who live, work in and visit Edinburgh during Christmas and New Year, with a range of useful information aimed at preventing them from falling victim to crime or coming to the attention of police. Continue reading Police launch Operation Winter City

New awareness campaign urges households in Scotland to look out for Carbon monoxide poisoning dangers

With research showing that one in three homes do not have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm fitted, despite nine in ten homeowners saying they are aware of the risks, OFTEC is urging households in Scotland to take action to protect themselves from the dangers of CO poisoning. Continue reading New awareness campaign urges households in Scotland to look out for Carbon monoxide poisoning dangers

Guy Fawkes Night: more attacks on emergency services

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews responded to approximately 359 bonfires across the country between 3.30pm and 11.30pm yesterday (November 5).

Operations Control firefighters handled 882 calls from members of the public. There were also several attacks on crews, but no firefighters were seriously injured. Continue reading Guy Fawkes Night: more attacks on emergency services

Bonfire Night: Enjoy – but stay safe

BONFIRE NIGHT

Do you know what your children have planned this evening?

We don’t want anyone injuring themselves or others by playing with fireworks. As well as being dangerous, misusing fireworks is also an offence. Now is a good time to talk to your children about the dangers of fireworks and fires as well as the law, before it’s too late.

Check the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website for more advice and guidance – http://ow.ly/nZgy50x1A3T

Check out the firework code here – http://ow.ly/62Df50x1A3U

#Bonfire19

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to attend organised Bonfire events this Tuesday, November 5.

Private firework displays and illegal bonfires pose a serious risk to the safety of the communities across Scotland.

And SFRS, alongside the Scottish Government, is making a final appeal to members of the public to attend an organised firework display and help curb illegal behaviour such as the construction of illegal bonfires.

Speaking on the run up to Bonfire Night Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart, the SFRS Director of Prevention and Protection, said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue service can be up to four times busier than usual on November 5.

“There are many official Bonfire events this year in Scotland and attending one of these can help ensure our resources are not delayed.

“Illegal bonfires needlessly take up our time and put others with genuine emergencies at risk.

“I would urge any member of the public who sees someone starting an illegal bonfire to contact Crimestoppers.

“I would also urge anyone who witnesses the construction of an unlit illegal bonfire to contact their local authority to have it removed.

“Together we can help each other stay safe this bonfire night.”

ACO Haggart was joined in the call by Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham.

Ms Denham also highlighted the distress that fireworks can cause for members of the community as well as animals such as livestock and pets.

Ms Denham said: “Bonfire Night is a chance for families and local communities to come together and enjoy fireworks responsibly. However the noise from fireworks can cause distress to vulnerable members of our communities – older people, those with post-traumatic stress disorder, autism or underlying mental health issues – and to animals.

“I would encourage people to be mindful of this and to attend organised displays where fireworks are set off in a controlled and safe environment.

“Bonfire Night is also one of the busiest nights of the year for our blue-light staff and robust action will be taken against anyone involved in the misuse of fireworks.

“I would urge members of the public to report any criminal or anti-social behaviour to Police Scotland, their local council, or through Crimestoppers.”

Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contacted through their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.