Category Archives: Cheswick Green

Some useful advice for this time of year. Information taken from the Communities and Local Government web site: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/fire/2028896 )

Fire and Rescue Services across the country are asking people to take care this Candle Fire Safety Week and snuff out the risk of fire in their homes.

With the days growing darker and winter setting in, a few candles scattered round the room can lend a warm glow to an evening in or add some festive cheer to the season’s celebrations such as Guy Fawkes’ night, Eid and Christmas.

But with over fifty fires started by candles every day, the Fire Kills Campaign is asking people to take extra care with candles this winter.

In 2010, Reckitt Benckiser, manufacturers of Air Wick candles, reported that 70 per cent of annual candle sales were made between September and February. So it’s no coincidence that between October and February every year candle-related house fires rise sharply, peaking at more than double the summer average in December.

The most important steps you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe include making sure your candles are kept away from flammable materials like curtains and putting out candles when nobody is in the room.

The Government’s Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser Sir Ken Knight said:

“Candles are increasingly used in many homes. But it’s important to remember that a candle is not just another decoration. Left unattended, the naked flame could result in a devastating fire.

“Over fifty fires are started by candles every day – make sure you don’t become a statistic. Place your lit candles carefully, away from curtains, pets and children and always remember to put them out when you leave the room, even for a moment.”

“Even with these precautions it’s crucial to be prepared should the worst happen. A working smoke alarm can give you the vital time you need to get out, stay out and call 999. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by testing your alarm regularly and practising your escape routes.”

To help you enjoy your candles safely this Candle Fire Safety Week, Fire Kills is offering some top tips:

• Never leave burning candles unattended. Put burning candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re out completely at night.
• Place your candles carefully. Make sure they are on a stable surface, out of the reach of pets and children, and keep them away from flammable objects like curtains, furniture, bedding and books.
• Don’t move candles once they are lit.
• Do not burn several candles close together as this might cause the flame to flare.
• Burn candles in a well-ventilated room, out of draughts, vents or air currents. This will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, soot, and dripping.
• Always put scented candles in a heat resistant holder. These candles are designed to liquefy when heated to maximise fragrance.
• Fit a smoke alarm and test it regularly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.
• Make sure that everyone in your home knows what to do if a fire should occur – practise your escape route.

I have attached the Autumn edition of West Midlands Police Authority’s ezine for West Midlands councillors and MPs.  It includes articles about the August incidents of disorder, The HMIC report ‘Adapting to Austerity’, the Continuous Improvement Programme  and the introduction of the new 101  non-emergency phone number. Police Authority Autumn Ezine 2011

I have a massive interest in our children (I used to be one – my wife sometimes tell me I still am one). Seriously though,  I try to put something back through being a school governor; having been at Monkspath Junior  Infants School for 20+ years and the Federated Special Schools of Forest Oak and Merstone.  In fact my route onto the council was through getting more and more interested in local politics via school governing meetings.

There have been too many cases of child abuse and here in Solihull it is taken very seriously. I have attached a few documents about safeguarding and how each and every one of us can get involved if we see something that we feel is wrong. If you see something that you think is wrong REPORT IT. No call is dismissed and thought of as time wasting. We would rather have too many calls than too few – a child may be free from abuse because of one call.

I have attached the Solihull Local Safeguarding Children’s Board Annual Report and a small poster that you may wish to print off and post on your work’s notice board. I have also provided a link to the council’s website where there is more information: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/staysafe/20495.htm  LSCB Annual Report  parentsposterA31

I chair the council’s Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Board (NSSB), which scrutinises a wide range of services delivered by the council. Waste and recycling is one of the areas were look at and yesterday I joined a handful of fellow councillors and visited Wolverhampton Council to look at how they collect food waste. I was impressed at the set up and we were also taken to see how the waste ends up at their Anaerobic Digestion plant just over the border in Staffordshire.

At this weeks NSSB we have a briefing item on Food Waste (see http://www.solihull.gov.uk/akssolihull/images/att31703.pdf) . The board has previous recognised supporting Home Composting and the ‘Love Food, Less Waste’ campaign. However, what are your thoughts? Do not be afraid to comment on this website. Alternatively, have a go at the poll – this is the first one I have done (so hope it works).

Solihull Council has recently reviewed its Winter Service Plan (for 2010 to 2015) which was approved last year. At the recent Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Board (which I Chair) held on 12 September we reviewed the plan and lessons learned from last winter. The Service Plan is posted here, together with the report to the scrutiny board: Winter Service Plan 2010-15