Author Archives: Sharon

How to Keep Children Safe this Halloween

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It’s officially October which can only mean one thing… It’s nearly Halloween!!

Have you decided what your little ones are going to be dressing up as yet? Whether they’re going as a witch, a zombie or perhaps something less scary don’t get tricked into buying an unsafe costume.

Remember:

🎃 Halloween costumes are highly flammable so stay well away from naked flames and other heat sources at all times.

🎃 Try to buy from a reputable store or website. Cheap costumes may not meet UK safety standards.

🎃 Look for a costume with a UKCA or CE mark and be aware that cheap costumes may carry fake safety labels.

🎃 The British Retail Consortium has introduced stricter fire safety tests for children’s dressing-up costumes. Look for a label that says: “This garment has undergone additional safety testing for flammability”.

🎃 Masks are spooktacular but they can make it harder for children to see or hear traffic. So, consider using face paint for trick or treating and save the masks for indoors.

🎃 Help make children more visible to drivers by adding reflective tape to their costumes or accessorising with glow sticks.

For more top tips on how to #ScareSafely this Halloween visit: http://ow.ly/Uh3w50KWVAR

Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility (MACR) Consultation

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The Department of Justice (DoJ) has launched a new consultation on increasing the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility (MACR) in Northern Ireland, and is seeking your views.

The consultation document provides background and information on the issue, which is an important one given the potential impact it has on children’s lives, and they are therefore very keen to hear your views.  DoJ are encouraging everyone with an interest to read the consultation document and submit a response and are particularly keen to hear the views of children and young people, as they are the group most impacted by the issue; a youth friendly version of the consultation document has been developed to assist with this.

All information and relevant documents, along with the ways to respond, can be found on the Department’s website at: Consultation on increasing the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility in NI | Department of Justice (justice-ni.gov.uk)

The deadline for response is Friday 23rd December 2022.

Email: macrviews@justice-ni.gov.uk

#BeSafeOnline ‘Cyber Safety’ Campaign

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Being online can be exciting and fun – but some things online can leave you feeling upset, bullied, or even worried.

Just remember that good and bad news travels fast online and you can sometimes find yourself in tricky situations with lasting consequences.

Southern Health & Social Care Trust, South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust and Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council have all teamed up to support children and young people with the ‘Cyber Safety’ #BeSafeOnline campaign.

Staying safe online does start with you – and there are lots of people here to help you.

If you or someone you know needs support, call one of the numbers below and there will be someone to listen to you and provide you with help.

Southern Trust 028 3756 7100
South Eastern Trust 0300 100 0300

To find out more please visit: www.newrymournedown.org/safeguarding

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