CHECK BEFORE YOU WRAP! Check the warnings and instructions - Look out for poor quality labelling, including spelling mistakes and poor grammar. Toys must be clearly marked with age restrictions, which are based on risks such as choking hazards. Always follow the age recommendations. All electrical products will have one or more safety certifications on their label if made by a legitimate manufacturer. Check the plug - Look to see whether the appliance has a three-pin UK plug or charger. Check the toys are safe. Avoid toys with small parts - They can be a choking hazard. Look out for strangulation hazards - Loose ribbons on toys and costumes can pose risks to young children. Magnets can look like toys. Keep them away from children. Check for button batteries - Ensure that any button batteries in a product are safely behind a screwed down flap. Check for product recalls - See if the presents you have purchased have been recalled at https://productrecallcampaign.gov.uk/ If you have purchased a product that you think may be unsafe, stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
NOTTINGHAM KNOCKERS: We’ve had reports that Nottingham Knockers have been calling at properties in Sudbury, Haverhill and Debenham. They may still be in the area, or could have moved on elsewhere in the County. These individuals are claiming to have been in prison and are on a youth offending scheme, attempting to mend their ways. The individuals go on to then try and sell the householder everyday household products at very high prices. Trading Standards always advise residents to refrain from buying at the doorstep and not to buckle to pressure from salespeople offering supposedly one-off ‘buy it now’ low prices. These Nottingham Knockers work in groups across the country but they are not involved in any officially recognised offender rehabilitation programme and many do not possess Pedlar’s Certificates, which are issued by police. If you are approached at the door, please refuse to buy. Report all doorstep callers to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
MAGNETS’ DANGER: A mother whose four-year-old son nearly died after swallowing 52 magnets from a toy has urged parents to be aware of the dangers. Doctors had to remove Jude's appendix and cut his bowel in five places where the magnets got trapped. Surgeons were operating on Jude for seven hours due to the complexity of the operation. Jude could not eat anything and was bed-bound for seven days during his two-week hospital stay. Read the full story here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64028132 Many do not realise how dangerous high-powered magnets are. Inside the body, they can pull toward each other, pinching tissue between them and causing life-threatening injuries. The magnets effectively burn holes in their intestines or bowels. The magnets stick together internally and through organs and tissues, and can cut off blood supply causing tissue to die. Watch for signs that children have swallowed magnets. Do they have stomach pain, vomiting, and fever? If you suspect your child has swallowed magnets then take them to A&E straight away or call 999. If you know a family with young children - or you work with practitioners who give advice to families - please raise awareness of the dangers of small magnets.
UNSAFE JEWELLERY: Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Surveillance Team have detained 3 consignments of jewellery that were found to be unsafe due to high concentration of chemicals. The 1,011 pieces of non-compliant and unsafe jewellery, ranging from DIY bracelets with charms and beads, as well as pendants and rings were detained at the Port of Felixstowe. The consignments arrived at the Port in late October and early November and have since been tested, with the results leading to the products being removed from Amazon. The products were tested in accordance with The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulations 2020, which prescribe the maximum cadmium, lead and nickel levels due to the risk of poisoning. Many of the samples were unsafe due to the high concentration of chemical elements, with one sampled bracelet containing 26.3% cadmium: 2,630 times the safe limit. Both the unsafe and non-compliant products lacked traceable information such as the full name and address of the manufacturer and the UK importer, as well a model number or batch code to identify the product. If you have purchased a product that you think may be unsafe, stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. If you are planning on starting a jewellery business and would like some advice on product safety, give us a ring.
CALLERS: Remember the criminals don’t stop for Christmas! Unsure about a caller? Hang up and call the organisation that they say they’re from back using a trusted number, such as the one on the back of your card if calling your bank. Criminals can ‘spoof’ numbers to make it look like you’re being called by someone you trust, however it’s safer if you make contact with your bank or any other organisation directly. There continues to be an ongoing listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat smoked fish, such as smoked salmon.
LISTERIA OUTBREAK: If you are 65 years and over, pregnant, or have a weakened immune system we advise you to thoroughly cook ready-to-eat smoked fish before you eat it. 'Ready-to-eat smoked fish’ refers to chilled smoked fish products that would not normally be cooked at home before being eaten. For more info on this outbreak, see the Food Standards Agency news story: https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news/vulnerable-consumers-advised-of-ongoing-risk-of-listeria-associated-with-ready-to-eat-smoked-fish
RECALL: Lidl GB is recalling Deluxe Oak Smoked Scottish Louch Trout and Lighthouse Bay Smoked Trout Trimmings, produced by St James Smokehouse because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Lidl Deluxe Oak Smoked Scottish Louch Trout
Pack size: 100g
Use by: All use-by dates between and including 20 December 2022 and 06 January 2023
Lighthouse Bay Smoked Trout Trimmings
Pack size: 120g
Use by: All use-by dates between and including 20 December 2022 and 06 January 2023
If you have bought the above products do not eat them, instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund. Any queries or concerns can be directed to Lidl Customer Services on 0800 977 7766 or customer.services@lidl.co.uk Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.