Christmas safety
Even at Christmas it's important to stay safe...
Our Christmas safety tips campaign encourages people to look out for illegal money lenders and online frauds.
We’re also highlighting the increased risk of domestic abuse and the fact that children and young people can become the 'forgotten victims' of domestic abuse.
Read on to find out more and share the advice with friends and family.
Tackling illegal money lenders
As Christmas fast approaches and money is tight, people are being warned not to be bitten by loan sharks.
At this time of year people can be tempted by loan sharks as they struggle for cash to cover the expense of the season.
This makes it easier for lenders to exploit people with a small loan to tide them over Christmas, but it ends up costing borrowers much more financially and having a huge impact on their lives.
Loan sharks will act like friends and make the offer seem hard to resist, but very quickly the situation can spiral out of control and borrowers can be subjected to threats, violence and intimidation.
Loan sharks can be reported confidentially by calling Illegal Money Lending England on 0300 555 2222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or by emailing reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
To find out more visit www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks
Tackling illegal money lenders
As Christmas fast approaches and money is tight, people are being warned not to be bitten by loan sharks.
At this time of year people can be tempted by loan sharks as they struggle for cash to cover the expense of the season.
This makes it easier for lenders to exploit people with a small loan to tide them over Christmas, but it ends up costing borrowers much more financially and having a huge impact on their lives.
Loan sharks will act like friends and make the offer seem hard to resist, but very quickly the situation can spiral out of control and borrowers can be subjected to threats, violence and intimidation.
Loan sharks can be reported confidentially by calling Illegal Money Lending England on 0300 555 2222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or by emailing reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
To find out more visit www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks
Be aware of online frauds
Christmas shoppers are being warned to watch out for fraudsters when shopping online during the festive period and to be aware of scams that target online shoppers.
Scams range from bogus websites advertising counterfeit goods, fake e-Christmas cards which contain a virus to collect personal data to selling goods that don’t exist via online auction sites or items that are purchased never being delivered.
Many of the scams promise to save time and money but in reality deliver festive heartache and misery.
To find out more about online Christmas scams and pick up some top tips to protect yourself, visit our top tips page.
If you fall victim to an online fraud, please report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk. For more online crime prevention advice go to www.getsafeonline.org, www.cyberstreetwise.com or https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/
:: Find out more about online scams to look out for
If domestic abuse means home isn't your safe place we can help
Some families are facing a tough Christmas, because of domestic abuse. Safe & sound Dudley’s community safety partnership and Dudley Safeguarding People Partnership work hard to support victims.
For help and support call Dudley Borough Single Point Of Contact (SPOC) on 01384 455411 (24 hours) or text/WhatsApp 07384 466181 (9am - 9pm weekdays). You can also LIVE CHAT with the SPOC team by visiting their website – just look for the chat icon on the left hand side of the screen. Web chat is open Monday to Fridays, 10am to 2pm, except on bank holidays.
In an emergency dial 999, if it’s too dangerous to speak press ’55’ when connected and the operator will know you need help
You can also use West Midlands Police online LiveChat service. You can chat to a call handler between 8am – midnight 7 days a week.
For more information on domestic abuse including the signs to look out for in family and friends visit our help hub.
Children - the hidden victims of domestic abuse
For most children Christmas means fun, presents and Santa, but for some, the festive period means blazing rows, sleepless nights and worry because of domestic abuse.
Children are often the hidden victims of domestic abuse.
Children living with domestic abuse can often become invisible and suffer in silence. Described as the ‘forgotten victims’ as in the majority of cases they are involved in some way.
People who suspect a child is being harmed or neglected or is living with domestic abuse should call children’s service’s referral and advice service on 0300 555 0050.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, contact Dudley’s domestic violence and abuse support service on 01384 455411 or in an emergency dial 999.
For more guidance and advice visit our help hub
Drinking during the festive season
Christmas can be a time of excess, especially when it comes to alcohol.
It can be challenging to moderate drinking and easily get carried by the occasion, however, we should still be looking after ourselves, our friends and family. Below are some tips to help you to stay safe whilst having fun.
Alcohol guidelines
Men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week on a regular basis. That’s around 6 medium (175ml) glasses of wine, or 6 pints of 4% beer. If you drink as much as 14 units a week, it’s best to spread this evenly over 3 or more days. If you’re trying to reduce how much alcohol you drink, its a good idea to have several drink-free days each week.
There’s no completely safe level of drinking but sticking within these guidelines lowers your risk of harming your health, both in the short and long-term.
The less you drink, the lower the health risks. For more information visit NHS Live Well
Tip for staying safe:
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Before you start drinking, set a limit on how much you're going to drink
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Drink more slowly and try drinks with lower alcohol content or smaller sizes
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Eat before, after and while drinking
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Alternate your alcohol drinks with water or other non-alcoholic drinks. Drinking lots of water will help you stay hydrated
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Over the festive season plan some alcohol-free days and fun activities for your family that don't involve taking alcohol
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When drinking at friends' houses or with family keep count of your drinks by pouring your own
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Look out for your family and friends
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Set yourself some goals. The new year is a great time to think about cutting down the amount that you consume
Get home safely
Make sure a good night out ends that way by planning your journey home.
Rather than driving, think about using public transport. Check journey times by calling travel line on 0871 200 22 33 (8am to 8pm) or visiting www.traveline.info before you go out.
If you are planning to get home in a taxi should also ensure it is license. Unlicensed vehicles are not insured to carry passengers and may not be trustworthy.
Taxis can be booked in advance. When booking in this way always ask for a quote. Hackney carriages (black cabs) can be hailed in the street or hired at a taxi-rank without pre-arrangement.
If intend to travel by car, allocate a designated driver. Don’t drink or take drugs and drive.
When traveling home, try to travel with a friend, always make sure your mobile phone is charged and ensure you have a way to pay for your journey home.
Protect yourself from bogus callers and burglaries
Follow some simple steps to ensure you keep safe from bogus callers and burglars over the festive season.
The dark winter nights encourage bogus callers to target older and more vulnerable residents and distraction burglaries often increase at the height of the winter and particularly around Christmas.
Police are encouraging residents to lock both front and back doors, even when at home. People should also use a door chain and ask all unknown callers for identification - if in any doubt callers should not be allowed into homes.
Burglaries are also on the increase over the festive period and people are encouraged to leave a light on when they leave the house for the evening, to use timer switches if they are away for some time and to close curtains after dark so valuables can’t be seen from the outside. People should also avoid piling Christmas gifts under Christmas trees – which can be seen from the window, and to always lock all doors and windows.
The living well, feeling safe service provides practical safety, security and wellbeing advice for older and vulnerable people, aiming to make sure they keep safe, secure and happy at home. They can be contacted on 01384 817743.
Keep fire safe this Christmas
Follow some simple steps to protect your home from fire risks during this year’s festive season, by being aware of fire dangers which can present themselves at this time of year.
Fire risks increase significantly during December as Christmas decorations, trees, candles and cards are all highly flammable and add to the risk of fire.
West Midlands Fire Service is encouraging people to follow some simple tips – position candles well away from anything flammable and never leave them unattended, don’t overload electrical sockets, only use Christmas lights with a BS sign and always unplug when you leave the house or when not in use.
Also remember to regularly test smoke alarms and never remove batteries to use in other appliances.
The living well, feeling safe service provides practical safety, security and wellbeing advice for older and vulnerable people, aiming to make sure they keep safe, secure and happy at home. They can be contacted on 01384 817743.
