The current economic situation is causing difficulties for many people and others are worried 

about how it might affect them in the future. Cheshire West and Cheshire Council is working with partners 

to see how it can help local businesses and communities. The Council is helping to direct people to 

sources of information and advice and a wide range of information is available on the Council’s 

website under the CREDIT CRUNCH section on the home page. 

The website address is: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

CHESHIRE FIRE AUTHORITY

www.cheshirefire.gov.uk

SAFETY AT HOME

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service aims to provide a free home safety assessment and free smoke detectors to 

every home in Cheshire during the next five years.

Make sure you get your free check – it could save your life.

Call 0800 389 0053 or complete the online form on the website:

New fire safety laws are now in force which affect over 30,000 businesses across 

Cheshire, Halton and Warrington.

Owners are now responsible for carrying out effective risk assessments. 

Make sure you know what you have to do: call

and ask for business advice or visit the website.

CHESHIRE FURNITURE RE-USE FORUM (CFRF)

   For people who are planning home improvements, moving house or who just haven't got round to

   recycling their domestic electrical appliances, CFRF will collect good-quality items that are no

   longer needed.

   CFRF is made up of 14 not-for-profit projects and is supported by all seven Cheshire councils.

   The projects do much more than recycle.  Unwanted, good-quality appliances are of huge 

   practical value to other less fortunate people and the projects also provide support and

   training opportunities for local volunteers - 238 of them last year.

   More than six million electrical items are thrown away every year in the UK.  It is estimated 

   that over half of them are still in working order or are easily repairable.  The CFRF can make  

   sure that they go to good homes where they'll be really appreciated.

   For details on donating to your local furniture re-use project, call 0845 760 3456 or visit

   www.cfrf.org.uk

INFORMATION FROM CHESHIRE POLICE

Two modern, high-tec. products worth looking at are Smartwater and Selectadna. 

Both these firms offer unique ultra violet solutions that can permanently mark lead, copper and other items.

Smartwater was used last year by Cheshire Police in a successful anti burglary campaign.

Selectadna have adapted the ultra violet dye into a thick grease that will permanently

coat the item and stick to anyone handling it or the vehicles they use. 

Since the ultra violet dye in each application is unique to the customer, property so marked can always

be traced back to it’s owner.

For further details look at:

www.smartwater.com

www.selectadna.co.uk.

Changing Address?

   You can tell Cheshire West and Chester Council about changing your address online.  Click onto

     www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk and fill in the online change-of-address form.  By using this service, you

     notify several council departments your change of address, including Electoral Roll, Council

     Tax, Benefits, Planning, Building Control, Space Management, Housing and Charisma.

 Every household in the Chester District is entitled to one free special collection of rubbish a year.  To get rid of those large unwanted items, such as furniture etc., that can get dumped and cause a hazard, 

ring 01244 402477.

 To get abandoned vehicles removed ring, 01244 402477 

       Or Email callcentre@chestercc.gov.uk

If you have an unroadworthy vehicle you want to dispose of safely, ring 01244 402477 (some restrictions apply and proof of ownership may be required).

       If you have any information about vehicle fires or any other crime, ring  

 01244 301581 or make a free, confidential call to 

Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 

"IN CASE OF EMERGENCY" (ICE)

"ICE" has recently been launched by the East Anglian Ambulance Service with the support of Falklands veteran Simon Weston.  The idea is that you store the word "ICE" on your mobile 'phone address book and against it, enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency".  For more than one contact, you can store ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 and so on.  In an emergency, ambulance and hospital staff would then quickly be able to find out who your next of kin are and be able to contact them.

Pass on this idea to as many people as you can.

BLOOD DONOR SESSIONS

None planned at the moment.

____________________________________________________________________

Hospitals across the country need blood every day to carry out planned operations like hip replacements, cope with emergencies and treat patients with serious diseases like cancer.

To meet that need, the Blood Service is totally reliant on the generosity of others - but only six out of every hundred people who can give blood actually do so.

Almost anyone between the ages of 17 and 60 weighing over 7st 12 (50kg) and in good health can become a blood donor.

If you are interested, telephone 0845 7 711 711 (24 hours) or visit www.blood.co.uk

  Useful information

     To stop telephone sales calls, register with the Telephone Preference Service on 

     0845 0700707 Website:  www.tpsonline.org.uk 

     To reduce the amount of direct mail you receive, register with:

     The Postal Preference Service Ltd., Freepost NAT10042, Chippenham SN15 1BR  

     Email:  member@thepreferenceservice.com 

     To stop all direct mail, register with:

     The Mailing Preference Service, Freepost 22, London W1E 7EZ, telephone 

     0845 7034599 Website:  www.mpsonline.org.uk