Edinburgh Leisure is supporting a national campaign launched by drowning prevention charity and urging people to sign up for a first aid or lifesaving course. Continue reading Be aware around water: Edinburgh Leisure backs national campaign
Tag: Safety
Scottish SPCA issues fireworks warning
As Bonfire night approaches, the Scottish SPCA is issuing its annual warning that fireworks can have a serious impact on the welfare of animals. Continue reading Scottish SPCA issues fireworks warning
Don’t let the kids bounce their way to hospital
The warmer weather is an opportunity for people to enjoy their garden, and for youngsters that can often mean playing on their trampoline. Unfortunately this can also result in injury, from simple bumps and bruises to more serious head and neck injuries. Continue reading Don’t let the kids bounce their way to hospital
Safety advice ahead of Scottish Cup Final
“All I can say is to plan your journey, get to the game on time, don’t overdo it with the drink and have a great time.” – Superintendent Alan Murray
As Rangers and Hibernian fans head to the sell-out Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park today, Police Scotland is reminding fans to get to the ground in plenty of time, go easy on the alcohol and to leave the pyrotechnics at home. Continue reading Safety advice ahead of Scottish Cup Final
Dogs die in hot cars
The Scottish SPCA is urging pet owners not to leave their dogs in hot cars as temperatures rise in Scotland. Concerned members of the public have already been contacting the charity’s animal helpline after seeing distressed dogs left inside vehicles on warm days. Continue reading Dogs die in hot cars
Mingin’ Medway!
There’s been a noticeable rise in dumping and flytipping since changes to refuse and waste disposal arrangements were introduced in the city and North Edinburgh has suffered as badly as most. NEN reader Colin Hutchison has sent these images taken in Granton. Continue reading Mingin’ Medway!
Hoverboards: heed the warning
For some, they’re the latest ‘must have’ but more than 15,000 imported self-balancing scooters – ‘hoverboards’ – have been assessed as unsafe and detained at the border in recent weeks.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has urged people who have bought ‘hoverboards’ to heed Trading Standards’ advice after a huge number of the self-balancing scooters imported from abroad were assessed as unsafe and detained at the border. Continue reading Hoverboards: heed the warning
Be Dog Smart!
Be Safe Around Dogs: free dog safety workshops
Hello,
My name is Rachel and I’m the Education and Community Officer for Dogs Trust in Edinburgh. My role is to provide FREE workshops that teach children, young people and families about responsibility and safety around dogs.
I am currently offering community groups fun and interactive workshops from our ‘Be Dog Smart’ safety initiative and I would like to take this opportunity to tell you more.
With nearly 9 million dogs in the UK, it is vital that all children and indeed adults too are educated and informed about interacting safely with them. Be Dog Smart workshops educates children on how to behave around dogs, how to meet a dog correctly and what to do if scared of dogs.
For more information please visit http://learnwithdogstrust.org.uk/free-learning-resources/Community-Education/be-dog-smart/index.html.
Workshops last approx. 45mins and suitable for age 5+ and for parents/guardians.
There is no cost and you may book as many as you like!
If you would like to arrange for me to visit your group, or simply require more information, please email me at rachel.bliss@dogstrust.org.uk or call 0792 065 8660.
Fire safety message taken to Edinburgh Mela
Thousands see fire safety displays at city music and dance festival
City firefighters joined revellers at the Edinburgh Mela over the weekend to raise awareness of the support available to help the public prevent fires and the tragedies they cause.
Thousands of people enjoyed live music at Leith Links on Saturday and Sunday, making the annual festival an ideal opportunity for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews to share potentially life-saving information.
Watch Manager Steve Scott said: “Our community action teams and crews from Marionville and McDonald Road Fire stations had two great days of engagement with the public.
“We had more than 1,200 people visit the SFRS Mobile Museum and they loved getting dressed-up in fire kit and getting selfies. It’s popular with young and old alike but of course the main drive is making our communities safer.
“All these visitors saw displays that make you very aware of common hazards within the home as well as the steps you can take to prevent them causing a potentially devastating fire.”
The SFRS crews offered free home fire safety visits, which involve local firefighters helping householders identify hazards and taking simple steps to address them.
With early warning known to be vital if a fire does happen, the SFRS crews also check smoke alarms are working and even provide and install the devices if they are found to be needed.
Free home fire safety visits are available from SFRS by calling the freephone number 0800 073 1999, by texting ‘FIRE’ to 80800 or by filling in an online form at www.firescotland.gov.uk.
Watch Manager Scott added: “We would much rather take 20 minutes to help someone stay safe than attend a fire that could have been prevented.
“Fire in the home is devastating. Even where no-one is seriously hurt, the loss of cherished possessions, the financial impact and the emotional trauma can all be horrific for those involved.
“We want to hear from anyone who thinks they or someone they know could benefit from some friendly, expert advice and support from their local crews.”
Pictures: Edinburgh Mela
Johnstone presses for fracking ban
‘Scottish government must come off the fence’ – Alison Johnstone MSP
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian and a leading campaigner against unconventional gas extraction, is challenging coal gasification firm Cluff over their claim that ‘it is neither necessary, nor in the public interest’ to examine the risks of their plans.
Cluff wrote to all MSPs before Tuesday’s announcement that their plans for drilling under the Forth are on hold, and today Alison replied, challenging the company’s views.
Scottish Green MSPs have been campaigning against unconventional gas extraction – also known as ‘fracking’ – since the 2011 election. Alison Johnstone led Holyrood’s first debate on the issue in May 2014, proposing a ban – all other parties voted against it.
Alison Johnstone MSP said: “Before Cluff got cold feet and announced a delay in their plans, they wrote to all MSPs as part of a charm offensive. Scottish Greens support the many community groups around the Forth who have made their opposition to coal gasification clear, and I have written back to Cluff challenging their claims.
“Cluff have attempted to downplay coal gas disasters elsewhere but I believe we must look at where things have gone wrong to help us understand the risks. We know of serious problems in Australia, resulting in widespread contamination of land. We know investigators were hospitalised with suspected gas poisoning during soil testing.
“It is therefore essential that Cluff lays out in detail the safety record of its projects rather than dismissing concerns out of hand. Cluff also choose to ignore the fact that we already have far more fossil fuels than we can burn if we want to limit climate change.
“Scotland is in a privileged position to end its reliance on fossil fuels earlier than other countries and create many more jobs by investing in sectors such as renewables, green chemistry, home insulation and forestry.
“In the meantime the Scottish Government must come off the fence, extend their temporary fracking moratorium to include coal gasification given it requires onshore infrastructure and turn it into a permanent ban, to protect our communities, our economy and our climate.”