Tag: community safety

Total Craigroyston – the final report

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The Total Craigroyston initiative came to a close at the end of March, as the localities model of the City of Edinburgh Council begins to be implemented. A ‘checking-out’ session was held on 23 March at Pilton Children’s and Youth Project to share with local people and workers the progress that had been made and to identify key messages for the locality management team (writes Tim Packer). Continue reading Total Craigroyston – the final report

Union concerns for tenants’ safety as service faces cuts

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UNISON’s Edinburgh branch is warning that cuts to the council’s Private Rented Service Team could threaten safer housing for private tenants and lose the council hundreds of thousands in income. Continue reading Union concerns for tenants’ safety as service faces cuts

Community Conference: now it’s time for action

Action Groups formed based on community priorities

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Five new Action Groups have been formed following last month’s community conference at Craigroyston Community High School.

The conference, organised by Community Action North and Granton Improvement Society supported by Craigroyston High School’s Community Centre, gave local people an opportunity to identify the main issues affecting the area. Participants then worked in small groups to look in detail at these topics and went on to form Action Groups to work with others to find short, medium and longer term solutions to the area’s problems.

The Action Groups are:

  • Big Picture (Economy, Employment & Decision Making)
  • Community Spaces & Environment
  • Crime & Community Safety
  • Housing
  • Youth

More than fifty local people took part in the event and it’s hoped that many more with attend a follow up event in the autumn.

A spokesperson for the conference organisers said: “The weather on the day was really dreadfully so we were delighted that so many people made the effort to attend. There was a lot of enthusiasm and many ideas were generated at the conference and the Action Groups will now take these ideas forward and plan the way ahead. There are lots of changes happening in the area just now and it’s important that local people are involved and have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.”

If you would like to be involved in the Action Groups or want more information about CAN, email comunityactionnorth@gmail.com

Community Conference Report

Scottish Fire & Rescue Service backs No Smoking Day

More than half preventable fire deaths involve smoking – giving up reduces the risk to everyone in a household

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Smoking is the most common cause of fires where someone is killed – and Scotland’s firefighters are throwing their weight behind No Smoking Day today (9 March). Continue reading Scottish Fire & Rescue Service backs No Smoking Day

Storm Gertrude: stay safe

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service offers safety advice

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Storm Gertrude, the latest winter storm to hit Scotland, wll bring wet, windy and wintry weather to communities across the country today and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to stay safe.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has already been involved in emergency responses, along with other partner agencies at flooding and water rescue incidents in the Borders and in Dumfries and Galloway over the past two days.

The Met Office has issued amber “be prepared” and yellow “be aware” warnings for Scotland with an amber warning for high winds in place from 3.00am until 10.00am on Friday. Heavy rain throughout Friday is expected to be followed by icy and wintry conditions into Saturday.

SFRS will continue to monitor the situation across Scotland as the effects of STORM GERTRUDE begin to be felt. Resources are in place to support local communities using specialist equipment to prevent and reduce the impact of flooding on domestic and commercial properties and ultimately keep them safe and allow them to prepare for the expected weather over the next 24 hours.

In addition to the already present strong winds and rain in some areas of the country, forecasters are also predicting wintry weather, including snow and ice. During this period of unsettled weather, people are advised to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecasts and National Severe Weather Warnings and find out what to do in severe weather so they can plan ahead for the weather in store.

The main risks normally associated with weather patterns such as this are flooding and loss of power due to the wind and rain. As a result the public may find themselves in a situation where their homes are affected. The Fire Service would like to remind anyone who finds themselves without power or water entering the home that they can take a few simple steps to ensure they are not placed in any additional risk from fire.

When using candles never leave them unattended and make sure you blow them out when you leave the house or go to bed. Make sure that when in use, candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains, Christmas trees, decorations and toys. Other tips include:

  • Children and pets should not be left alone with lit candles
  • Put candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re put out completely at night.
  • Trim the wick to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring.
  • Don’t move candles once they are lit
  • Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on burn time and proper use.
  • Do not burn several candles close together as this might cause flaring (mainly with tea-lights).
  • Always make sure tea-lights are placed in a proper holder.  The foil container which tea lights come in can get very hot. They can melt through plastic, such as a bath, and have the potential to start a house fire.
  • Use a snuffer or a spoon to put out candles.  It’s safer than blowing them out when embers can fly.

The public can get further information on safety when using candles by using the link below:

http://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/festive-safety/candles.aspx

If your home suffers a loss of power or is flooded and you are using portable heaters to heat or dry out your home here are some simple tips to keep you safe:

  • Keep heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes.
  • Unplug or switch off portable heaters when you go out or go to bed.
  • Secure portable heaters in position to avoid the risk of them being knocked over
  • Only use gas or paraffin heaters in well-ventilated areas. Heaters consume oxygen and in enclosed spaces can produce harmful gases and/or cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Fit a Carbon Monoxide detector in all rooms containing gas or paraffin heaters.
  • Never use portable gas cylinder heaters in high rise flats
  • Always change gas cylinders in the open air. Never change gas cylinders in an enclosed space.

If you or someone you know is vulnerable or may be at risk from fire please get in touch and arrange a FREE home fire safety visit with local firefighters by calling 0800 0731 999 or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk

A wide range of tips on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire are available on the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk/winter

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Further resources:

MET OFFICE WARNINGS – http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/guide/weather/severe-weather-advice

FLOODLINE – http://www.floodlinescotland.org.uk/flood-updates/

TRAFFIC SCOTLAND: http://trafficscotland.org/

TRAVELLINE – http://www.travelinescotland.com/welcome.do

SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) – http://www.sepa.org.uk/

READY SCOTLAND – http://www.readyscotland.org/are-you-ready/severe-weather/