Twelve Days of Christmas
IN the run up to Christmas, the Horsham District Community Safety Partnership is promoting its twelve days of Christmas message to local residents.
Timely tips have been put together to make sure that Christmas goes as safely as possible:
- Drink driving has been the cause of over 50% of fatal collisions in Sussex during the festive season in the last three years. Sussex Police is conducting regular roadside checks, don't risk it and visit the Sussex Safer Roads website www.sussexsaferroads.gov.uk for more on road safety.
- Don't put on a brave face this Christmas. Domestic violence is unacceptable all year round. Call the National Domestic Violence helpline on 0808 2000 247.
- Take time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours this Christmas – make sure they’re safe and check that they have a working smoke alarm. If not, you can call (free phone) 0800 328 6487 and ask for a free 'home fire safety check'.
- Don’t make your home attractive to burglars. Try to make it look occupied at all times, keep doors and windows locked and ensure all presents and valuables are not visible through windows and doors.
- Christmas can be a time of family conflict. Local charity, West Sussex Mediation Service, provides a free, year round, confidential mediation service. Call 01403 258900 www.wsms.org.uk
- Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings. Don’t leave presents under the tree in view of possible burglars.
- If you leave your car unattended, don’t leave bags of shopping or other valuables on display. It is safest to keep them with you.
- However tempting it may be to walk back from parties at night, try to avoid walking alone. Make your personal safety a priority and either use a registered taxi or ask somebody you know to accompany you home.
- Don’t overload electrical sockets. Take special care with Christmas lights – always switch them off and unplug them before you go to bed.
- Drink responsibly. Don’t leave drinks unattended and know your limits! Beware date rape and drugs being secretly added to your drinks.
- Buy with confidence this Christmas. Know what you’re buying by using a business approved by Trading Standards. For more information visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or phone 01243 642124
- Check the battery in your smoke alarm every week and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust.
The Horsham District Community Safety Partnership is a statutory partnership of Horsham District Council, West Sussex County Council, Sussex Police, Sussex Police Authority, Saxon Weald, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust, and NHS West Sussex.
The partnership is charged with reducing levels of crime and disorder in the Horsham District through sustainable solutions and by working with other key public, private and voluntary agencies and the community. Visit http://www.horshamcsp.org/ or call 01403 215116.