Important Safety Notice – Glen Dimplex Home Appliances – What to do if you have a Belling, New World or Stoves gas cooker

On Wednesday 2 November, Glen Dimplex Home Appliances (GDHA) issued a public announcement for more than 66,000 dangerous gas cookers which pose a carbon monoxide poisoning risk. 

GDHA have to visit every home with an affected Belling, New World or Stoves cooker to carry out a free technical modification so that the operation of the gas grill is safe. Affected consumers can contact the company immediately to book an appointment.  This action follows intervention by The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) following a death reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in February 2022.  The HSE concluded a Belling gas grill had been used with the door closed which caused a significant build-up of carbon monoxide to escape into the property.  OPSS analysed product safety data which revealed certain models of GDHA gas cookers with a separate gas grill have an inherent carbon monoxide risk putting consumers in danger.

Until their cookers are made safe, the key advice from GDHA and OPSS is to ensure that affected consumers leave the grill door open when in operation.

Consumers must call 0800 110 5728 or email consumersupport@glendimplex.com to register for the free modification. In the meantime, consumers must only use the gas grill with the grill door open.

For further information, please access the following webpages:

• https://www.belling.co.uk/en-gb
• https://www.stoves.co.uk/en-gb
• https://newworld.family/safety-notice

OPSS has also required GDHA and retailers to remove the product from sale immediately.

A link to the news story is available on the Scottish Government website.

Advertisement

Keeping you safe and your property secure after dark

“After Dark” is a national Police Scotland campaign, supported by the local policing division. This initiative is encouraging members of the community to consider their home security due to the longer hours of darkness as the clocks go back.  Long periods of darkness provide potential cover for criminal activity. Criminals are largely opportunistic and favour targeting poorly lit, dark and insecure properties.

Key messages are:

A house that looks unoccupied is a target for criminals.

• Keep windows and doors locked

• Secure sheds and garages

• Fit/check outside security lighting

• Fit a shed alarm

• Fit an intruder alarm – if you have one set it

• Fit coach bolts/anti tamper screws

• Record/security mark valuable property

• Consider a garage defender

• Use timer switches on lights

• Secure bicycles to a ground anchor

• Consider a TV simulator

For more information see the Housebreaking Advice leaflet :

Housebreaking Advice leafletDownload

Home Fire Safety -SELF ASSESSMENT

A new online Home Fire Safety checker has been launched by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to support you to stay safe at home.                                                                                                                                        Due to the current Social Distancing restrictions, most Home Fire Safety Visits are suspended, except for those where the occupiers are identified as being at very high risk.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The SFRS wants to ensure your home is as safe from fire risk as possible and would therefore encourage you to go through the questionnaire and follow their advice and guidance.                                                                                                                                                                                                       For more details visits the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website.

Help for People Affected by Domestic Abuse

If you are experiencing domestic abuse help is available. Don’t delay in seeking help during the lockdown.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is not always physical violence. It can also include, but is not limited to:

• coercive control and ‘gaslighting’
• economic abuse
• online abuse
• verbal abuse
• emotional abuse
• sexual abuse

What signs to look for:

If you believe that you or someone else could be a victim of domestic abuse, there are signs that you can look out for, including:

• being withdrawn
• having bruises
• someone else controlling their finances
• not being allowed to leave the house
• monitoring technology use such as social media platforms

 Where to get help ?

Don’t delay in getting help or reporting domestic abuse because of the coronavirus situation.

 

Call the 24-hour Domestic Abuse Helpline in confidence on 0800 027 1234 or visit the Safer Scotland website

If it is an emergency, always dial 999 and ask for the Police.

For links to services in Angus visit our website

SMS 999 text system

People who are Deaf, hard of hearing or have issues communicating verbally can use the SMS 999 text system (you must register for this service).

For non-emergency use dial 101. Members of the deaf community can use the Contact Scotland facility. You can find the online form on the Scotland Police website.

If you are behaving in an abusive or harmful way please call Justice Services in confidence on 07920284216 and we will work with you to make positive changes.

 

Tips for Doing It Yourself – Get Advice!

For home owners, some DIY work within the home or garden may need planning or Building Warrant approval. It could be an offence not to have the necessary approvals in place and it could also jeopardise any future sale of the property.

During the lockdown, lots of people are planning home or garden improvements. It could be a shed, a garden room, fence or internal home alterations.

We want to help householders to avoid any unnecessary upset and provide information that can hopefully allow them to crack on with projects with peace of mind.

To find out whether your projects need planning permission or a Building Warrant see our news website.

 Alterations and improvements by Angus Council tenants

You must get permission before making any alterations or improvements to your council house including:

• any work involving electrics
• any work involving gas
• any work which involves changing fixtures and fittings

Before carrying out any work, contact us on ACCESSLine 03452 777 778.

Standard decorating, such as scraping wallpaper or painting, does not need permission

Grass Cutting and Other Maintenance of Parks, Cemeteries and Open Spaces Across Angus Has Restarted

On Monday 20 April, or grass-cutting of parks and open spaces restarted. It will take some time to get round them all so please bear with us.

The use of single operator vehicles allow our staff to work safely whilst maintaining rules on social distancing in compliance with Government and health guidelines.

Maintaining our parks and open spaces will help to allow people to get exercise locally, on a daily basis.

Please remember, if you are at your local green spaces, follow the national guidance and do not allow children or teenagers to use play areas, skate parks and fitness equipment or gather socially, other than in family groups.  These facilities remain closed until further notice.

Only parks and green spaces close to your home should be used for exercising. Please avoid driving to parks and carry any litter home with you.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated to ensure we all stay safe during these unprecedented times.

 

For more details see our website.

 

 

Beware – Watch Out for Bogus Traders Claiming to be Council Workers

Residents should be on their guard after recent reports of bogus traders claiming to work for the Council.

Trading Standards and Police Scotland have had reports of two men in a van going door-to-door in Angus offering to carry out roofing repairs and claiming to work for the Council.

We would ask residents to be extremely cautious about people who call at houses offering to do roofing or other work. We would strongly advise to never to hand money over if approached in this way and never let the callers into your home.

If Council tenants believe the workers have pointed out a genuine issue with your property they should speak to a housing officer.

Council officers and contractors will always carry ID so remember to request ID badges.

If you or someone you know are approached by these people you can report the incident to Police Scotland by calling 101.

We urge family, friends and neighbours to keep an eye on vulnerable or older residents and relatives.

If you are worried about someone who is more vulnerable to scams call our ACCESSLine on 03452 777 778 and ask to speak to Trading Standards.

See the current scam warnings on our website

Festive Safety Advice from the Fire and Police Services

There are lots of handy festive safety tips on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Police Scotland websites. Have a safe Christmas!

 

Are You in the Dark About Housebreaking?

Police Scotland are working in partnership with the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers in an early evening Housebreaking initiative. During the dark winter nights, it is easier for would-be thieves to identify properties which are empty as they may not be lit. This is most common in early evening, just before residents arrive home from work and other daytime activities.

Take simple steps to improve the security of your property, at very little cost.

Keep your home secure!

Your home could be a target for would-be thieves if not secured. Housebreakers can take advantages of poor security. Reduce your chances of being broken into by taking a few simple steps:

• Don’t leave keys on the inside of door locks, under mats or anywhere else an intruder may easily find them.
• Always make sure your keys are well out of sight and reach of letterboxes or windows.
• Avoid keeping large amounts of cash in the house. If you must, then put it in various locations.
• Secure mark your property with a UV marker pen
• Don’t leave valuables in view of windows, particularly around the tree at Christmas time.
• It is advisable to lock your doors and windows, even when you are in the house.
• Fit timer switches to lights in living areas, such as bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens.
• Angle blinds so that the light will get out but no-one can see in.
• Make sure lighting outside of your house covers all aspects, particularly doors and windows.
• Ensure your shed and garage are always secured.
• Always be vigilant and report anything suspicious.

For more in depth advice about crime prevention in your home, visit the Police Scotland website. If you see signs of a break-in at your home, call the police on 101 or, if you believe the intruder is still there, dial 999.

How Safe is Your Home?

See the latest updates on product recalls and safety notices from our Trading Standards Team below:

Blind Cords

The UK government have a new campaign about blind cord safety. Check your blind cords and keep your home safe

 

Whirlpool Tumble Drier Recall

Lots of people have been getting their tumble dryers replaced, but there are still unsafe dryers out there. See the facts and figures about the Whirlpool tumble dryer recall programme here.

If you want to find out if your dryer needs to be recalled and replaced, check your model here.