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Author Archives: NIDirect Newsroom

Be extra alert on roads during darker months

Date published: 27 October 2017

All road users are urged to be extra alert on the roads over the coming months. We should all pay attention in the worsening weather conditions and the darker evenings during late autumn and winter.

Road safety advice

While visibility decreases in winter months, stopping distances increase. If you’re a driver you should:

  • adjust your speed
  • think about how the conditions affect more vulnerable road users
  • slow down and pay attention, especially around schools buses when children are getting on and off
  • be extra careful to watch out  for people walking, cycling or riding a motorbike – they are much more difficult to see, particularly in the dark

Cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians (including children) should take extra precautions by making sure they increase their own visibility to drivers by wearing:

  • bright or contrasting clothing by day
  • reflective clothing at night

You can get more information about road safety at the page below:

Collectively, we have the ability to reduce road casualties. We all have a personal responsibility, to ourselves and to other road users.

Remember – respect everyone’s journey.

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Take steps to keep children safe from burns and scalds

It’s important that parents, relatives and carers are aware of the hazards which can lead to burns and scalds, and take steps to make sure children are kept safe.

Reduce the risk of accidents

Accidents can happen quickly in or around the home, sometimes it takes just seconds, and occasionally these can lead to  burns and scalds.

But these accidents can easily be prevented by being aware of the dangers and hazards that are in the home, and taking steps to reduce the risks and make the home as safe as possible.

Hot appliances, liquids, and bath water are responsible for more than half of all burns and scalds, with young children being particularly vulnerable.

Be aware that:

  • hot drinks can still scald 15 minutes after they’ve been made and can result in years of skin graft treatment –  make sure hot drinks are out of reach of babies and children
  • hot water scalds in seconds – run the cold water first and always check the temperature of bath water
  • hair straighteners can get very hot very quickly and cause serious burns that scar for life – keep out of the reach of children and put them away safely after use

You can get more advice, including a video showing the dangers in the home, at this link:

Prevention is always better than a cure. 

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