Archive | Events / Festivals RSS feed for this section
Fire Safety
Sheffield 50+ Newsletter July 2017
20 JulFire Safety
At our Sheffield50+ meeting last week our speakers were the Fire Safety Team at the Fire and Rescue Headquarters.
This was not only an interesting and informative discussion but a timely reminder that we should all think more about fire safety in our homes. Here are a few points that were raised:-
How safe is your home?
You can carry out your own home safety check, by following five quick steps.
Smoke alarms – Working smoke alarms give you an early warning to a fire in your home, giving you and your family the vital extra minutes needed to take action and escape.
Check if:
You have a smoke alarm on every floor of your home.
Your smoke alarm is working. Do this by holding down the ‘test’ button until it beeps.
Your smoke alarm is free from dust.
If you need a smoke alarm, most supermarkets and DIY shops sell them from as little as £5 each.
Half of all house fires start in the kitchen, so take the time to check this room for hazards
Check if:
Oven gloves, tea towels, cardboard and electric leads are well away from the hob.
Ovens and grill pans should be free from grease and crumbs, as these can easily catch fire.
Don’t leave cooking unattended and never use chip pans or pans filled with hot oil.
Faulty electrics cause more than 6,000 Fires across the country every year.
Check for:
Overloaded sockets and extension leads- try to use one plug per socket. High powered appliances like washing machines should have a plug to themselves, as extension leads can only take a maximum of 13 amps.
Look out for signs of dangerous or loose wiring, such as scorch marks, hot plugs and fuses that regularly blow.
Don’t leave things like mobile phones and laptops plugged in overnight, or beyond the recommended charging time, as this can often cause fires.
Cigarettes and candles
Every three days someone dies from a fire caused by a cigarette.
Remember:
If you smoke, don’t light up if you need to lie down. You could easily fall asleep, setting the bed or couch on fire.
Keep matches and lighters away from children.
Keep candles and tea lights in proper holders and well away from anything that could catch fire, like curtains.
Make an escape plan
If your smoke alarms went off at night, how would you get out safely? Now is the time to make an escape plan.
Check if:
Escape routes are blocked. Keep escape routes, like front and back doors, clear at all times.
Keep Door and window keys in a safe place at night where everyone can find them.
Ensure that everyone in the house, especially children, knows what to do in the event of a fire.
For further information see South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Website where you will also find useful videos to help.
www.syfire.gov.uk
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Do you want to be a victim of crime? Do you want to have your house burgled , your car stolen, be pestered by bogus callers? OF COURSE NOT.
If you care about the Community at all PLEASE consider becoming a member of Neighbourhood Watch. Be active in supporting the Police Force and Partners in their fight against crime in the light of the cut backs they have had .
Being a member means knowing your closest neighbours and sharing the things that can improve your Street, This being a Street Watch.
Encourage your neighbours to keep their doors and windows locked, not leave their car engine running on the drive, not take shopping in without closing the door after you, not leave keys or valuables in sight. A lot of these crimes can be avoided, Litter pick the front of you house. This is a sure way of driving down anti-social behaviour. Report suspicious behaviour however small you feel it is.
Become part of our Alert system where we can send you information of what crime is happening in your Area. This can be delivered by telephone or email once you have registered with the District Chair.
WE NEED TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE ON BOARD ACROSS THE CITY TO ENSURE WE CAN DRIVE CRIME DOWN AND OUR COMMUNITIES BECOME SAFER
District Chair 01142745578 or talk to the Forum who will signpost you.
This information kindly provided by Sheffield50+ member Wendy Zealand.
Sort out your finances NOW
The Bank of England has recently warned of huge increases in personal borrowing – 10% in just a year. This could lead to many defaulting on their debts. With current low interest rates, if you’ve existing debt it’s a sensible precaution to check now if you’re on the cheapest possible deal.
Advice from Moneysaving Expert Martin Lewis:
Cut credit or store card costs to 29mth 0% Consider balance transfer deals, where you get a new card to repay debts on old cards for you, so you owe it instead but at a cheaper rate. That will mean most of your repayments clear the actual debt, rather than just servicing the interest.
Do you pay over 2% interest on your mortgage?
The cheapest new mortgage deals are at near-historic lows, 2yr fixes at around 1%, 5yr at less than 2%. So it’s worth anyone who’s paying more checking if savings are possible by remortgaging (getting a new deal that pays off the old one). Even a one percentage point cut on a £100,000 mortgage saves up to £80 per month!
Cut your overdraft
Often in your overdraft? Move to a 0% rate. If you’re overdrawn, debit cards are DEBT cards too, and often they’re worse than credit cards. A constant £200 overdraft could cost you £365 a year! Go over your limit and it could cost even more.
Already got a loan? You may be able to make it cheaper.
Unlike credit cards, clear a personal loan and you could be charged an early repayment penalty of up to two months’ interest. Loan rates have plummeted, so it can be worth getting a new one to pay off the existing one including penalties.
Can’t sleep at night due to my debts. Do these apply to you?
– You can’t even meet just minimum monthly payments.
– You have non-mortgage debts bigger than a year’s salary.
– You have sleepless nights or depression/anxiety over debt.
If so, then urgently get free, one-on-one debt counselling help from Citizens Advice, CAP, StepChange or National Debtline.
For full details of this article please go to www.moneysavingexpert.com
Cathedral Archer Project
The Archer Project desperately need bags that they can fill for food parcels for homeless/vulnerable. Canvas/jute/tote work the best. Can anyone help please?
Let’s Talk About… Health Screening
Organised by Sheffield Carers Centre
Tuesday 25 July 2017, 10.30am to 12pm
Darnall Church of Christ, Station Rd, S9 4QB
Learn about the importance of health screening. Aimed at all carers. For more info, contact Jan on 0114 2788942 or jan@sheffieldcarers.org.uk
Cycle Lane at Westfield Health
We have been asked by Westfield Health for member’s opinions regarding the cycle path immediately outside their new building, particularly the customer entrance.
They have concerns about regarding safety to pedestrians as a result of cyclists ‘cutting the corner’ rather than following the cycle path. Sheffield City Council don’t’ feel that this is an issue, but have proposed 2 bollards be installed. Westfield Health make a counter proposal of additional bollards to separate the cycle path, which SCC have advised they don’t feel is necessary and reiterated that they don’t feel there is a safety issue.
They would appreciate any feedback regarding this or if there is anything else that could add or change for the benefit of our customer. Any and all feedback would be very welcome and should be sent directly to:
leah-ann.richardson@WestfieldHealth.com
Thank you in advance for your help.
“Are you a current smoker who wishes to stop smoking?”
Would you be interested in being supported in your stop smoking attempt by an experienced advisor and use either e-cigarettes or the NHS stop smoking services?
Sheffield Hallam University is undertaking an ethically-approved study, funded by Heart Research UK exploring the effects of e-cigarettes on the arteries and small veins in people making a stop-smoking attempt.
All participants will be randomly allocated to one of the three study groups:
In one group, participants will receive free nicotine-rich e-cigarettes and refills for a 3-month period as well as advice on how to successfully stop smoking.
In another group, participants will receive similar advice as well as complimentary, nicotine-free e-cigarettes and refills for a 3-month period.
Finally, one group of participants will be referred to the NHS stop smoking services and will be reimbursed by the research team for their stop smoking prescription expenses.
Participation in the study will be free and assessments will take place in Collegiate Hall in Collegiate Crescent Campus of Sheffield Hallam University.
Participants using their own transport will receive complimentary parking.
To receive more information, please contact Dr. Gareth Jones (Telephone Number: 01142254312, E-mail:HeartResearch@shu.ac.uk) or visit: https://ecig2017.wordpress.com/about/
Age UK Sheffield Summer Fayre
Friday 4th August 1pm-3pm
Join us for an afternoon of fun and entertainment at our 1960s-themed Summer Fayre at the Wellbeing Centre in Norfolk Park. All are welcome!
If you have a loved one who is living with memory loss, you can find out more about the service we offer at the centre. It promises to be lots of fun…
Venue: The Centre in the Park, Norfolk Park, Guildford Avenue, Sheffield S2 2PL.
Local Events
Tramlines Festival Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd July – various venues.
www.tramlines.org.uk
Parkwood Springs Open Day
As part of the Sheffield Living Waters project, Froglife and Sheffield County Council have restored heathland and created and restored ponds at Parkwood Springs. To celebrate this work we are holding an open day on Saturday 29th July 2017 from 11am to 2pm. You can take part in games and craft activities related to the Year of the Toad. Come on a guided walk and talk showing you the work we have completed. Pond dip to find out what’s living in the ponds.
Saturday 29th July 2017, free entry.
The Great Upcycle Fete
St Marys, Bramall Lane. July29th 11.00am to 5.00pm
Celebrating the creative transformation of waste materials surplus food and time-building! Attractions include: UpCycled Arts & Crafts Market, International FoodCycle Buffet, Climbing & Caving Experience, Birds of Prey Display, Traditional Tea Tent, Fete Games and Family Fun, and Music & Entertainment.
Family Fun Day at Sheffield Hallam University
Friday 28th Jul 2017, free entry
Come along to Sheffield Hallam University for a day of fun, FREE, interactive activities for children age 4 – 13 and their families. All are welcome, no booking necessary.
Sheffield 50+ Newsletter June 2017
21 JunSheffield 50+ Advisory Group Meeting Wednesday 21st June, 1pm, at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, Eyre Street.
Sheffield 50+ Members’ Meeting
Wednesday 12th July, 1pm, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (date, time and venue to be confirmed)
Speaker – South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue community safety team on fire safety in the home and Safe and Well Checks
Eligible for carer’s credit? Don’t put your state pension at risk by not claiming it.
Up to 230,000 unpaid carers are putting their state pension in jeopardy by not claiming carer’s credit – a benefit that plugs gaps in your national insurance record when you’re not able to work because you’re caring for someone.
Carer’s credit is not a typical benefit, as you don’t receive any money for it. However, it’s important to claim it – otherwise your state pension could be negatively impacted.
Carer’s credit is a national insurance ‘credit’ designed to fill gaps in your national insurance record (e.g. from having to give up your job to care for someone). It’s this record that determines if you’ve worked enough to earn the state pension. You could get it if you care for someone for at least 20 hours a week.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/protect/2017/06/eligible-for-carers-credit-dont-put-your-state-pension-at-risk-by-not-claiming-it?utm_source=MSE_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=13-Jun-17-16788556&utm_campaign=nt-oneliners-two&utm_content=15
Save money on shopping
Money Saving Expert tells us that Supermarkets try all sorts of tactics to make us spend more, and a trick of the eye means you could be missing out on the best value items every time you go shopping.
It’s all about where products are positioned on the shelves, with stores tending to place more expensive items at average eye-level, hoping we’ll grab and go. They found lots of items at the three major supermarkets they went to, where the same branded product was better value on the bottom shelf – this usually means initially paying more for a bigger pack, but getting more for your money per 100g/ml.
This won’t be true for every store or shelf, and there will be examples of when the bottom shelf isn’t the cheapest – but as they visited larger and medium-sized supermarkets and found this was widespread, so hopefully we can raise awareness that you need to have eyes wide open and check all shelves, delving to the depths to make sure you’re getting the best value at the supermarket.
See Money Saving Expert Website for full details of their findings.
MRC Festival of Medical Research:
Free Activities and Demostrations, Saturday 24 June, 11am-3pm, Winter Garden, 90 Surrey Street, City Centre.
Come along to this free event and find out how the latest medical research at the University of Sheffield is improving people’s lives. There will be a range of hands-on activities, exhibits and demonstrations from leading researchers.
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ris/publicengagement/mrcfestival
Recent Comments