DURING THE FESTIVE SEASONLOOK AFTER YOURSELF AND YOUR PROPERTY THIS CHRISTMAS

Residents and visitors to Walsall are encouraged to read this useful leaflet to ensure that their health, personal safety and belongings are protected this winter.

Follow this advice to help keep you and your family safe this Christmas.

Out & AboutFollow Safer Walsall Partnerships tips to help ensure that you and your belongings are safe when out and about over the festive period.

Out shopping Be aware of your surroundings and keep your shopping and

valuables close

Take particular care when using cash points - be aware of anyone watching you

Keep your bag closed and with you at all times. Put purses and wallets away before leaving the till and don’t carry them in your back pocket

Avoid carrying mobile phones and MP3 players openly - don’t walk and text at the same time

Lock shopping away in your car boot - don’t leave it on show

Don’t advertise your movements on social media sites such as Facebook

Out & about at night Consider personal safety – avoid dark short cuts and always

let someone know where you are going

Avoid mixing your drinks and try to break up the evening with water

Don’t drink and drive

Only use black cabs or licensed private hire cars. Never get into an unmarked vehicle and pre-book where possible

Go out in a group, stay in a group and return in a group

At homeConsider your property safety over Christmas and into the New Year.

Don’t leave wrapped or unwrapped presents on show for criminals to see

Most burglars are opportunists. If you are going out at night, make sure you leave a light on, close your curtains and securely lock all your windows and doors

If you’re going away ask a friend or relative to take in your post, close your curtains at night and leave a light on

Do not leave your house or car keys in a visible and easy to reach place in your house

Install a working smoke detector and check weekly. Switch off all Christmas lights and electrical appliances at night and close doors

Do not leave candles unattended and extinguish candles before going to bed

Try not to cook when under the influence of alcohol but if you do remember to set an alarm to remind you to check your cooking in case you fall asleep

Remember to check on your elderly or disabled relatives and neighbours during the festive season

Winter illnesses it pays to be preparedThe good news is that by following a few useful tips, we can give ourselves the best possible chance of staying well this winter.

Check out chemist opening times over Christmas and New Year at www.nhs.uk

Ensure your medicine cabinet is stocked with essentials such as paracetemol, plasters and a thermometer

If you are over 65, pregnant, have a long term condition or are a carer remember you can get a free flu jab from your GP

If you catch flu stay at home and rest, have lots of fluids and if you live alone inform a friend or neighbour

Keep your main living room at 18-21 degrees with the rest of your home at least 16 degrees, close curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping, have regular hot drinks and meals

Prevent condensation by keeping your home at a constant temperature by leaving heating on low throughout the day. Tips on staying warm for the over 60s, low income families and people with disabilities is available at www.direct.gov.uk/keepwarmkeepwell

Christmas Food SafetyDon’t let food poisoning spoil your family’s Christmas. Follow these simple recommendations for a happy and healthy Christmas:-

Christmas Poultry Thaw thoroughly in a cool room. See the table below for thawing/

cooking times. Check the weight of your bird together with any stuffing against the left hand column then read off the correct thawing and cooking times. Take special care with large birds

Remove giblets before cooking. Preferably do not stuff the bird. Cook stuffing separately otherwise stuff neck area only

Ensure blood and water from defrosting does not drip or contaminate other food, work surfaces, or cutting boards. Separate raw and cooked foods and clean and disinfect all surfaces/equipment well

Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw poultry

Cook at a high temperature (Gas mark 7/425ºF/220ºC) for 30-45 minutes, then lower temperature (Gas Mark 3/325º/F170ºC) for remaining cooking time

Test if poultry is cooked with a skewer into the thickest part of the thigh – juices should run clear with no sign of red or pink – Serve immediately

Once leftovers are cool place in the fridge and use within 48 hours. If you’re reheating leftovers, always make sure it is hot throughout before serving.

Weight (lbs/kgs) Thawing Time Total Cooking Time6 lbs (2.7kg) 24 hours 2 hours and 20 minutes8 lbs (3.6kg) 24 hours 3 hours and 45 minutes10 lbs (4.5kg) 24 hours 4 hours and 10 minutes12 lbs (5.4kg) 26 hours 4 hours and 30 minutes14 lbs (6.2kg) 30 hours 4 hours and 50 minutes16 lbs (7.2kg) 30 hours 5 hours and 10 minutes18 lbs (8.0kg) 32 hours 5 hours and 30 minutes20 lbs (8.9kg) 34 hours 5 hours and 45 minutes22 lbs (9.8kg) 36 hours 6 hours24 lbs (10.7kg) 38 hours 6 hours and 15 minutes26 lbs (11.6kg) 40 hours 6 hours and 30 minutes

Buying goods this ChristmasAdvice from Trading Standards

Walsall Council’s Trading Standards officers are sharing their tips for Christmas to help residents shop with confidence in the festive season.

They are promoting advice from Consumer Direct to ensure everyone has a very festive season – whether they love or loathe Christmas shopping.

For further information on consumer rights, visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

Check the store’s returns policies

Keep your receipts including gift receipts

Remember your rights – any goods must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. If not you may be entitled to a refund, repair or replacement

Act promptly if something is wrong

Guarantees – many goods include a free one year warranty. Read the terms and conditions carefully to validate

Remember your online shopping protections – including rights to returns and refunds. Make sure you check the terms and conditions. Remember that goods can take up to 30 days to arrive

Use a credit rather than a debit card when shopping online as it offers additional consumer protection. Check your provider for details

Shopping in the January sales – you have the same rights as on full price goods unless a reduction is offered for a fault which is highlighted.

For further adviceCouncil services opening hours over Christmas and any service disruptions due to winter weather are published on www.walsall.gov.uk

Useful numbersWest Midlands Police (non emergency line): 101

West Midlands Fire Service (non emergency line and general enquiries): 0845 5000 900

For a free Home Fire Safety Check call free on: 0800 389 5525

ASB Line: 01922 648291

NHS Direct: 0845 4647

Consumer Direct: 0845 4040506

Environmental Health: 01922 652210

Walsall Council: 01922 650000

Whg: 0300 555 6666

If you or your property are in immediate danger dial 999

Useful websites www.walsallpartnership.org.ukwww.nhs.uk www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk Christmas events can be found on www.whatsonwalsall.co.uk

This leaflet has been produced by local Walsall partners who are working together to help create a safer Walsall.

Members include Walsall Council, Safer Walsall Partnership, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, NHS Walsall and whg. This campaign is also supported by Serco, Walsall College and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

46621 CM 11/11