Author: James Beaumont

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Heat Health Alert for Monday 11th July 30C +

Credit Independent.ie

The Met Office has issued a Level 3 Heat Health Alert from 09:00 Monday 11th July to 09:00 Friday 15th July.

There is a 90% probability of Heat Health Alert criteria being met. Temperatures are expected to rise in to the low 30s.

View the full warning at the Met Office Heat Health Watch site.

Hot weather can affect your health. The people most likely to be affected are the elderly, the very young, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

If you know or look after someone that may be susceptible to the effects of this hot weather period please help make sure that they stay cool and well, and if possible check in advance that they are prepared for this hot spell.

STAYING COOL

Credit Birmingham Mail

Please follow this advice to keep cool and comfortable and reduce health risks:

  • Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. If it’s safe, open them for ventilation when it is cooler.
  • Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun and don’t go out between 11am and 3pm (the hottest part of the day).
  • Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this isn’t possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter).
  • Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.
  • Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and fruit juice. Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.
  • Plan ahead to make sure you have enough supplies, such as food, water and any medications you need.
  • Identify the coolest room in the house so you know where to go to keep cool.
  • Wear loose, cool clothing and a hat if you go outdoors.

Also, please don’t forget about the animals in your care and view the top tips for keeping pets cool in hot weather by using the RSPCA link below.

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Home Start – Training offered to Parental Volunteers who would like to offer Practical and Emotional Support to Families With Young Children

Home-Start Chichester & District provides practical and emotional support to families throughout the district to families with young children.  We are urgently in need of more volunteers in the north of the district, where families struggle particularly with issues to do with loneliness and isolation.  Volunteers are trained to provide skilled support in families’ own homes in a way that empowers the parents and improves their relationships with their children. Lois Rowlands, our manager, is more than happy to chat through the work of Home-Start if you would like to find out more.

Kayleigh Want

Business Administrator

Office  01243 773477

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Its a Mobile Life – Top Tips on Using Mobile Devices and Apps

Credit Apogee IT Services

Top Tips for Mobile Devices

 Update software and apps when prompted, including operating systems. These often contain security updates. 

·  Download security apps on all your mobile devices, including Apple devices. 

·  Always protect your mobile devices with a PIN or password, even if they come with biometric protection. 

·  Review your device settings regularly to ensure your privacy is protected. 

·  Set your devices to back up automatically to protect confidential or irreplaceable files or other information from loss. 

·  Wi-Fi hotspots should be avoided for confidential communications or transactions, as there’s no guarantee that they’re secured. Use a VPN or instead, use your data or wait until you get back to your secure Wi-Fi. 

·  Think before you click: clicking on email attachments or links in emails and social media posts could infect your devices with various types of malware, including ransomware and spyware.

·  Giving a caller remote access to your devices could result in malware or fraud. Grant access only to an authorised support person who you have contacted with a problem. 

·  Keep mobile devices secure in the home and office. The information on them is normally worth a lot more to a criminal than selling on the device itself. 

·  Never leave mobile devices unattended, including in a café, the gym or your vehicle. 

·  Keep your device protected when out and about in crowded areas. Mobiles make attractive targets for pickpockets and ride-by thieves.

Top Tips For Using Apps

 Avoid downloading fake apps by using only the official store for your device’s operating system. Even then, read reviews and choose with care, as some rogue apps sometimes make their way into app stores. 

·  Read terms and conditions when downloading apps to understand aspects like data sharing and in-app payments. 

·  Consider the permissions you grant for apps to access your location, photos, camera, contacts or other functions or data. 

·  Check app settings to determine whether downloading updates and day-to-day data are enabled automatically. If they are, it could make it easier for your data to be intercepted, and may use up your data allowance.

·  Observe apps’ minimum age ratings, which may vary from store to store. This is important for apps which may be accessed by children. 

·  Log out of apps – particularly those for banking, shopping or payments – when you’ve finished using them. This also goes for location-based apps, when you want to protect your whereabouts. 

·  Always download app updates when prompted. As well as providing new features and better functionality, updates usually contain security fixes. 

·  Be aware of the data used by apps when you’re out and about, including roaming charges abroad. And remember that some apps enable in-app purchases, which can be very attractive to use – especially to children – but at a price. 

·  Remove apps you haven’t used for a while, apart from security apps. If you’re disposing of your device by any means, erase all data and apps, also preferably doing a factory re-set.

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West Sussex Bus Services – Your Opinions?

#WestSussBus – finding out your views on the buses

We’ve just launched #WestSussBus – a long-term engagement project – to collect views, suggestions and ideas about local bus services. It’s on the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) engagement hub and here is the address: https://yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/westsussbus

The project has it’s own email address, too westsussbus@westsussex.gov.uk and the title #WestSussBus can be used as a hashtag for social media postings about local buses.

Please find attached information for circulation in your area. There’s a downloadable poster and two versions of an e-flyer.

As it’s a long-term project, there’s no end date, and it’s likely to be running for at least a year.

If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Many thanks,

Jess Meagher

Stakeholder and Partnerships Officer, S&P Team

Local Highways Operations, Highways, Transport and Planning

West Sussex County Council, County Hall, Chichester

Mobile: 07738294242
Email: jess.meagher@westsussex.gov.uk | Web: www.westsussex.gov.uk

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What is Home Smart Security?

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE*

‘WHAT DOES SMART SECURITY MEAN FOR MY HOME?’
FREE WEBINAR
Join this virtual chat with a smart security expert from ERA, plus Q&A
Thursday 10th March, 5 – 6pm
 
Find out what smart security means for your home and how simple changes can vastly improve its security. During the webinar Neighbourhood Watch CEO, John Hayward-Cripps, and ERA’s smart security expert, Sumier Foster-Shah, will discuss:

  • available smart security solutions
  • installation
  • what to look for when choosing a smart security system
  • and much more

Following the discussion, they will run a live Q&A session to answer all of your questions and concerns.
 
BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE*

*Maximum 500 places. Register early and sign in promptly on the day to guarantee your place.

Best wishes

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK, Central Support Team