As part of our ongoing work with partner agencies to keep people safe in Edinburgh, Community Police Officers met with the RNLI yesterday to deliver a water safety event at Portobello Beach.
During the day we spoke to a large amount of beach visitors and local businesses about beach safety and how to stay safe on our coastline.
We also had the pleasure of meeting the Keep Porty Tidy lobster!
See below for some safety tips from RNLI and HM Coastguard on how to stay safe this summer:
#FloatToLive – if you find yourself in difficulty in the waterIf you fall into the water, fight your instinct to thrash around
Lean back, extend your arms and legsIf you need to, gently move them around to help you float.
Float until you can control your breathing
Only then, call for help or swim to safety.
If you are using Stand-Up Paddle Boards (SUP):
Check the water and tides before you go, if in doubt, don’t go out.Take a fully charged phone in a waterproof pouch so you can call for help if you need it.
Be equipped – wear the right gear including a flotation aid and leash.
Please don’t use inflatables at our coast, they are not designed for open water. They will quickly drift out to sea, along with those on them.
If you do choose to use them, please make sure that they are properly secured and very closely supervised. If you do get blown out to sea, stay in your inflatable and call for help.
If you get into trouble in the water or coast, don’t wait, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and they will send help. FAST.
Following a Freedom of Information request the Scottish Government has released the following submission from Forth Ports:
Wardie Bay was not included on the list of Scotland’s designated bathing waters when it was published on 1st July.
The Wardie Bay Beachwatch environmental group appealed the decision and received the following response from the Scottish Government’s Environmental Quality Unit last month:
Thank you for your letter to Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, about the application for Bathing Waters designation at Wardie Bay, Edinburgh. Bathing Waters fall under the remit of Mairi McAllan, Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform, and I have been asked to reply.
The Bathing Waters Review Panel is multi-stakeholder group, chaired by SEPA, that considers and reviews the list of bathing waters, including new applications for designation and provides recommendations to Scottish Ministers. The Panel met on 8 December 2020 and made recommendations to the Minister for Wardie Bay bathing water designation application in May 2021.
The panel recognised numerous positive aspects of the Wardie Bay application and agreed that user number criteria was met in 2020 and seemed sustainable. However, Forth Ports provided a submission which mentioned swimmer safety in relation to offshore vessel/harbour activity, and this would have to be managed by clear beach management and bather information.
The relevant local authority, City of Edinburgh Council, indicated overall support in principle for the application. However, despite the Transport and Environment committee outcomes you mention in your letter, there are still on-going discussions at Committee level on their current roles and resource to perform beach management functions.
As beach management is a key criteria for designation, until such times as the City of Edinburgh Council concludes its deliberations on these matters, the Panel was unable to recommend designation.
Having considered the Panel’s advice on the circumstances at Wardie Bay, the Minister accepted the Panel’s recommendation that Wardie Bay is not designated as a bathing water at this time, noting that the outcome of the Council’s current deliberations on beach management will inform the Panel’s future recommendation regarding this location.
I hope you find this information helpful.
The group’s petition to have Wardie Bay included on the list of designated bathing waters remains live on Change.org – over 1730 people have signed so far.
Dr Katherine Henderson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine has stated that it is absolutely essential that patients and visitors in Emergency Departments continue to protect themselves and others with face masks, hand washing and social distancing.
Dr Katherine Henderson said: “While restrictions have been eased, it is absolutely essential that we continue to keep everyone safe in hospital settings and in Emergency Departments. Patients and visitors must therefore expect to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
“Emergency Departments regularly see vulnerable patients. We must do all we can to keep those patients safe, but also to ensure that these patients feel safe coming to the hospital and the Emergency Department if, and when, they need help.
“We ask patients and visitors to kindly respect and co-operate with this guidance and help to keep everyone safe. Staff will not tolerate any abuse whatsoever. They absolutely do not deserve it, but it is a sad reality that we are already hearing and seeing abusive behaviour towards staff. It is clear these measures will help protect the most vulnerable patients, so it is right that all patients and visitors follow them.
“Staff will request all patients and visitors to put a mask on when in an Emergency Department and they will not be engaging in any debate on the guidance.
“It is a matter of public health and infection prevention control to keep all our patients safe.”
Care & Repair Edinburgh, part of the Age Scotland family, is launching a home assessment service to help older people and those living with disabilities live as safely and comfortably as possible in their own homes.
The new service includes a free room-by-room home assessment by the charity’s Independent Living Adviser (above), who will create a report of recommendations for improvements in safety, accessibility and comfort.
Typical recommendations may include replacing faulty electrical items, fixing door thresholds, removing frayed rugs or other trip hazards, draught-proofing wooden windows and doors, and improving accessibility through the installation of handrails, ramps and key safes.
Following the home assessment, a full report will be available to allow clients to review any recommendations and discuss with family members. Care & Repair Edinburgh may also be able to carry out some of the work client wishes to progress, either free of charge where eligible or at a subsidised rate for larger repairs and installations.
Allison Strachan, Head of Care & Repair Edinburgh, said: “Although lockdown measures are easing gradually, people are still spending large amounts of time at home and therefore it is very important that the home environment is as safe, comfortable and accessible as possible.
“This new service will allow older people and those living with disabilities in Edinburgh to continue to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as they want and are able.
“Arranging a free home assessment can offer much-needed peace of mind and we would encourage eligible Edinburgh residents to get in touch to find out how Care & Repair Edinburgh can assist them.”
https://twitter.com/i/status/1402620469476528133
The free home assessment service has been researched in collaboration with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and is possible thanks to generous funding from Bank of Scotland Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and Greenshoots Fund.
Bookings will be taken from Monday 14 June onwards, with the first appointments for home assessments available from Monday 19th July.
To arrange your free assessment, please contact Care & Repair Edinburgh on 0131 3371111 or visit www.crew.scot for more information.
1.7 million adults in Scotland planning on hosting a garden party this summer
1.7 million adults in Scotland will be hosting a garden party during the summer, according to a new YouGov poll and 7 per cent intend to hire a bouncy castle for their event – meaning as many as 120,000 inflatables will be in use in private gardens, yet new research has also revealed that one in three (32 per cent) of bouncy castle operators are not up-to-date with inflatable inspections after the lockdown.
The research, released by the Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII) – an international body for training inflatable inspectors and operators – and national inflatable inspection scheme PIPA – also reveals that 31 per cent of adults in Scotland don’t know what to ask regarding the safety of the bouncy castle at the point of booking one.
Yet despite this, almost one in 10 (9 per cent) of adults have witnessed an accident or injury on a bouncy castle, many of which could be prevented.
The RPII and PIPA have joined forces to launch a new campaign called #BounceSafe, supported by singer and mum-of-two Suzanne Shaw, which aims to get parents and those booking inflatables to take the appropriate safety steps to help ensure safe usage during this summer surge, and reduce the number of accidents and injuries.
Suzanne Shaw, singer and mum said: “After the year we have all had, it’s not a surprise to see millions of people will be hosting garden parties and what better way to entertain the kids than with a bouncy castle.
“I’m supporting the #BounceSafe campaign to send an important message to parents and those hiring the inflatables at-home to please make sure they ask the right questions when they hire and follow the safety advice on the day to help reduce the number of accidents. We all have a role to play in keeping the kids bouncing safe and it’s so important to supervise the inflatable at all times.”
The campaign is calling for people who hire bouncy castles for at-home use to do three things:
Ask the 3 key questions of the operator at the point when they hire – Do you have a PIPA tag and number, are you insured and have you done the RPII operator training during the last 3 years?
Supervise the bouncy castle at all times once the operator leaves a private at-home event.
Follow simple safety advice during the event and brief users about the rules before they go on.
When it comes to supervision, 82 per cent of all adults in Scotland do not know that if they have hired the bouncy castle, they are fully and legally responsible for the safety of the children on it when the operator leaves the event whilst one in five (20 per cent) have witnessed bouncy castles being completely unsupervised while children are on it.
The inflatables industry has been hit hard during the COVID pandemic. The RPII’s research reveals that 56 per cent of operators have suffered financially with 70 per cent having to temporarily close the business, 24 per cent furlough staff and 50 per cent adapt their business model over the last 12 months. The research also reveals the support from the public for the industry as one in seven (15 per cent) want to support their local inflatables business after the lockdown.
Matthew Sweed, Technical Director of Inflatables at the RPII, said: “We are launching our #BounceSafe campaign today to help keep children all over the UK bouncing safely this summer and reduce the number of accidents and injuries.
“By following some simple safety advice, everyone can play an important part in the safe hiring and safe usage of inflatables. As part of the campaign we are also urging all inflatable operators to ensure their castles are up to date with their annual inspection and that operators have also participated in our operator training programme during the last 3 years.”
And when attending a garden party with a bouncy castle, 25 per cent said there were too many children on the bouncy castle at any one time and a quarter (24 per cent) said they saw children climbing on the bouncy castle walls which is the most common cause of accidents.
Sweed continued: “It’s really important that those hiring the inflatable supervise the users at all times after the operator leaves. We know it’s something not all parents are aware of, but it has a huge impact on accident rates.“
As part of the #BounceSafe campaign, the RPII is launching a new digital training programme for all bouncy castle operators which they can complete online and a new website for hirers to access simple safety information – www.bouncesafe.org.uk.
Hibernian FC has urged supporters to enjoy today’s Cup Final and reiterated that they should watch – and hopefully celebrate – the match in line with Government restrictions and with consideration for others.
The Club confirmed yesterday that Easter Road Stadium would close on Friday and will not reopen over the weekend, regardless of the game’s outcome.
And following the harrowing scenes from Glasgow city centre – where a man had his hand blown off in a shocking pyrotechnic incident – the Club is asking fans to desist from any use of pyrotechnics. These are not safe, can cause severe injuries, and can be harmful to health – particularly to those suffering from any respiratory illness.
Fans can now enjoy the game with families or close friends provided they do so in line with Government restrictions – so basically up to six adults from three households, whether in a private home or hospitality setting.
The game is being televised live via Hibs TV to International Subscribers and is also being shown on BBC and on Premier Sports – so loads of options to watch.
In his open letter to all supporters, Hibernian Chairman Ronald J Gordon said: “I also want to ask one more time for your support and patience. Please, cheer the team on, but please do it with your friends and your family and do it within the Government restrictions that are there to protect us all. Let’s not be part of anything that risks the progress made in tackling the pandemic.”
The Club is asking supporters to resist the temptation to gather unsafely in large numbers and making it clear that there will be no opportunity, sadly, to celebrate together as we would all like if Jack Ross and the players cap a great season by winning the Scottish Cup.
By adhering to the rules, Hibernian fans can help bring a return to stadiums a little closer.
With Sun Awareness Week taking place between 3–9 May, Cats Protection would like to advise cat owners to be aware of the risks posed to their cat by the sun.
Pale-coloured cats, or those with unpigmented white noses or ears, are particularly at risk from the sun’s rays which can cause sunburn and skin cancer.
Those affected can suffer long term damage including, in severe cases, having to have their ear tips removed to prevent the cancer from spreading.
Following a few simple tips owners can help protect their cat from the harmful effects of the sun. These include keeping them indoors on sunny days between 10am and 3pm, asking your vet for advice about suitable sunscreen and ensuring you provide plenty of shade to enable your cat to shelter from the sun’s rays.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Sarah Elliott BVetMed MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats) MRCVS
A campaign has launched across city schools encouraging parents, carers and families to take extra care at the school gates when they return this week.
Ahead of all pupils resuming in-school learning from today (Tuesday 20 April), we’re sharing advice on steps to take to help limit the potential spread of COVID and make sure schools and childcare settings can remain open.
Posters, leaflets and social media posts are encouraging people to wear face coverings, stay two metres apart and to stick to one adult when dropping off and picking up children, as well as discouraging car sharing and urging neighbouring households to make sure hedges are cut back to give extra space.
Every school in Edinburgh has been assessed for improvements to help families physically distance too. Measures have been put in place at every Council and independent school where extra space is needed to help people walk, cycle and wheel safely.
Amongst the changes are road closures, prohibition of motor vehicles, widened footpaths or better signage, as well as the removal of guardrails and new access gates to aid one-way systems.
Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “I’m sure children and young people across the city will be looking forward to the return to school and a sense of normality, and the chance to interact with their classmates.
“While this is a positive step in the lifting of lockdown restrictions, we must continue to observe guidance and take care when mixing with other people. Over the last year we’ve been working hard to introduce measures outside of every school to help children and carers walk, cycle and wheel safely and easily while physically distancing.
“We’re also encouraging everyone to follow advice to limit the spread of the virus, helping to make sure children can continue enjoying being back in the classroom.
In February we also introduced a temporary ‘Quiet Connection’ between Greenbank and the Meadows, providing a safer route for children travelling to nearby schools South Morningside Primary School, St Peter’s RC Primary School, James Gillespie’s Primary and High Schools, Bruntsfield Primary School, Boroughmuir High School and Edinburgh Steiner School.
Jessica Cameron, whose children go to James Gillespie’s Primary School, said: “My family really appreciate the new quiet route to the Meadows, which covers a significant portion of our trip to school.
“With traffic reduced on Whitehouse Loan, we have more options for getting to school safely. My kids love cycling and riding scooters, and they’re building their skills and confidence while not having to worry about avoiding cars. With more space, it’s easy for us to socially distance if we run into their friends on the way to school.”
All primary school pupils returned full-time from 15 March, with secondary school pupils resuming in-school learning on a part-time blended basis.
Earlier this month the Scottish Government confirmed all primary and secondary pupils would return to the classroom full-time as part of its easing of lockdown from 12 April (Edinburgh’s Easter holidays run until 20 April), with restrictions in place.
Police Scotland is working with the The City of Edinburgh Council and Maritime and Coastguard Agency to help make Portobello Beach safer for all.
This week, the Council will install new numbered signs on the top of the existing groyne beach defences at Portobello Beach.
In an emergency, direct experience tells us roads signs cannot be easily seen from the beach so the new signs will be much more visible, improving safety.
They measure approx. 600mm high and 450mm wide.
Numbered 1 to 6, the emergency services can use these numbered signs to plot your location in an emergency (see map).
Marker 1 – Pipe Lane Marker 2 – Bath Street Marker 3 – Bellfield Street Marker 4 – John Street Marker 5 – Bedford Terrace Marker 6 – End of promenade at Joppa Road
Police will continue working with our partners as the year continues at Portobello.
In a coastal emergency, please dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
As trade unionists, we stand united against the epidemic of male violence. We also stand against the disproportionate threat of male violence faced by women, by Black and migrant communities, by LGBT+ individuals and by disabled people.
Violence against women and girls is rooted in structural inequalities and power imbalances between men and women. Women’s experience of violence is shaped by other factors such as ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, immigration status and disability. Experiencing intersecting inequalities compounds the threat of violence women face.
Male violence threatens women in all areas of their lives – in our homes, workplaces, and in public and digital spaces. Institutional and systemic failings enable and empower perpetrators and deny women safety and justice.
In the UK:
97 per cent of young women have been sexually harassed
One in two women are sexually harassed in the workplace
80 per cent of women of all ages have been sexually harassed in public
Women who report rape have a less than 4 per cent chance of it ever being heard in court
Three women are killed each week as a result of domestic abuse homicides
Women are not responsible for the actions of men.
We stand with survivors of male violence. With the families of Sarah Everard, Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry and countless others who have lost a loved one to violence.
Government must act now to dismantle institutional sexism, racism and other forms of discrimination.
To start that work, we call on Ministers to:
1. Implement a new mandatory duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment at work and ratify ILO Convention No.190
2. Include migrant women within the Domestic Abuse Bill provisions and ensure safe reporting routes for women with insecure migration status
3. Reverse the cuts to public services and ensure all relevant public sector staff receive enhanced training on preventing and responding to violence against women
4. Provide long-term funding commitments to support the provision of vital, life-saving services for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence that meet the level of need, including specialised by-and-for BME, LBT+ and disabled women’s services
5. Draw up a cross-departmental action plan to tackle the structural inequalities experienced by women, Black communities, LGBT+ and disabled people in work, health, education, housing and justice
We demand safety. We demand justice. We demand equality.
