Trading standards issues warning about tooth whitening

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 17, 2012

Cardiff Council’s Trading Standards is advising potential customers not to have their teeth whitened unless a dentist has assessed whether such treatment is right for them. Also, while tooth whitening can improve the appearance of natural teeth, it is important that people are fully aware of what to expect and how it can be conducted safely.

The popularity of teeth-whitening has increased tenfold in the past five years and at least 100,000 people have some form of treatment every year. However, there is particular concern over the dangers relating to the supply of illegal tooth whitening products both for use at home and the use of such products by people who are not registered with the General Dental Council.

Tooth whitening products contain bleach and should be used with caution. It is illegal, for example, to supply products which contain more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. Cardiff Trading Standards has successfully prosecuted one company for selling a home tooth whitening kit containing over 10% hydrogen peroxide and there have been reported cases of tooth whitening kits containing 30% hydrogen peroxide.

Other “bleaching” products such as sodium perborate and chlorine dioxide are being used by some lay people. These products are unsafe, often very acidic and their use is strongly discouraged.

Using too much bleach poses a real threat of permanent damage to a person’s health; tooth enamel may be damaged, and people can suffer prolonged and increased tooth sensitivity. Indeed, it’s possible to damage the nerve enough to require root canal therapy. Also, since the bleaching trays are not custom-fitted, the uneven distribution of bleach may cause spotting.

Furthermore, despite the widespread availability of products, most consumers are unaware that tooth whitening may only lawfully be provided by those who are registered dental professionals; specifically dentists, or dental hygienists or dental therapists working to a dentist’s prescription.

Provision by lay people is unlikely to be done in the controlled surroundings of a dental surgery, sometimes being done in beauty “parlours”, open areas in shopping centres or even in peoples own homes.

(more…)

Thousands of council staff to benefit as Labour announces “living wage”

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 17, 2012

Cardiff Council is set to pay its employees the Living Wage, after making the historic announcement in July that it was to be the first Council in Wales to commit to do so.

Cardiff Council’s Cabinet has made it a key priority to bring salaries into line by introducing a Living Wage so that all employees earn a minimum of £7.20 per hour. This is £1.12p an hour more than the National Minimum Wage.

A report making this recommendation will go before the Cabinet on Thursday (September, 20) and if approved will mean a salary increase for more than 2,000 of Cardiff Council’s lowest paid staff.

Those benefiting from the Living Wage will be entitled to the pay increase backdated from September 1, 2012.

The move has been welcomed by unions as a progressive step which will help many council workers during the current difficult economic climate.

Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Heather Joyce said the move would help give more money to Council staff who are tasked with delivering public services to high standards.

She said: “I made it very clear when I became Leader of the Council that this was a key priority of the new administration and I am delighted that this report is now set to go before the Cabinet next week.

“The 2,000 staff who will benefit from these proposals are doing some of the most important and challenging jobs in the Council, and we believe that they should be paid  a decent salary for their work.

“This will also provide a boost to the local economy as people will have a little more in their pocket which will help stimulate businesses across our city.”

Cabinet member for Finance, Business and the Local Economy, Cllr Russell Goodway, added: “This administration is making a big statement showing our commitment to social justice. At a time when proposed Welfare Reforms introduced by Central Government will potentially see 20 per cent of the people receiving benefits in Cardiff suffering a significant cut next April, this is a very important step forward.”

Council’s scrutiny committee considers families first procurement

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 10, 2012

Cardiff Council’s Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee will consider how important changes to funding for projects supporting vulnerable families and young people in the city, will be communicated to those already receiving services.

Members of the committee will focus on the commissioning of services under the Welsh Government’s “Families First” project, set to take place in April 2013, which will replace the current ‘Cymorth’ funding which supports deprived young people across Wales.

The report will be presented at the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 11 September 2012.

Families First is a Welsh Government initiative promoting the development of effective multi-agency systems and support for families across Wales, particularly those living in poverty, with a clear emphasis on prevention and early intervention.

Scrutiny members will consider the type of services that Families First will fund and the arrangements being put in place to inform people of the changes that will affect them.

Cllr Siobhan Corria, Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee said: “My main concern is for the families and young people who are currently receiving services through Cymorth funding, and how they will be given information about if and how the transition from Cymorth to Families First will affect them.

“We are only six months away from the introduction of Families First and as a Scrutiny Committee we are keen to look into the planned communication arrangements, and find out how we as elected community champions can best support the communication.”

The Committee will also explore in more detail both the Commissioners’ intentions in delivering outcomes based on strategic needs, and their plans for supporting and informing both providers and service users through the remainder of the procurement exercise and into the new Families First funding regime.

This includes looking into how and when service users will be informed about the transition of services from Cymorth to Families First funding, and about the new services coming on line to replace the former Cymorth-funded services. The committee will also consider how needs were identified, and evidence of the link between needs and the services that have been commissioned, plus a broad outline of the next steps and timescales ahead of the implementation in April 2013.

Council seeks public opinion for Riverside transport improvements

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 3, 2012

As part of the Safe Routes in Communities programme Cardiff Council is looking to tackle some of the main areas that need to be improved to make it easier to cycle and walk around the city.

Safe Routes funded with the Welsh Government aims to improve accessibility, safety, and encourage walking and cycling within communities.

A programme of work has already begun in Cathays and Roath with the first phase of the project estimated to be completed in early 2013 and will include improvements to Fairoak Road, Wedal Road, Ninian Road Roundabout, Shirley Road, Monthermer Road roundabout, and the junction of Albany Road/Mackintosh Place/Richmond Road/City Road.

Riverside is the next focus of attention for the Safe Routes project and a bid is being prepared to the Welsh Government for funding.

The bid in Riverside will focus on measures to make it easier for people to walk and cycle around the Lower Riverside area.

(more…)

Trading standards warn of religious email scam

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 3, 2012

Cardiff Trading Standards team is warning residents in the capital about a variation on the Nigerian Scam e-mail currently in circulation in the area.

The writer claims to have inherited a large sum of money from her deceased husband and is willing to donate £5 million to worthwhile causes such as orphanages and the less privileged.

The email, written in a religious tone, goes on to say that the recipient is able to keep 30% of any money sent to them on the proviso that 70% is used for ‘God’s work’. They are also requested to ‘keep everything about this transaction very private and secret because there are so many people that are searching a way to claims My Husband fund’ (sic). All that is required is that the recipient sends his or her bank account information so that the funds can be deposited.

This scam differs from the classic Nigerian email/letter only in the religious terminology used; that is, the recipient is offered a large amount of money for doing virtually nothing, but providing information on a bank account, which will be quickly cleaned out by the fraudster.

Councillor Ashley Govier, Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “These emails can appear very plausible and promise wonderful things but it is vital that anyone who receives one does not respond in any way. This is particularly important for many of our more vulnerable residents who might be taken in by the writer apparently already knowing some information about them.”

“If you are unsure as to whether what is being offered is genuine or not, talk to a family member, or a friend or seek advice by calling Citizens Advice Consumer Line to get another opinion. Remember, the whole nature of a scam is to separate you from your money or obtain your personal or financial details.”

Cardiff’s Trading Standards team is advising resident that if they have any doubts whatsoever do not:

• disclose your personal or financial details, even if it appears the writer already has them;
• express an interest, as you may be identified as a potential target for other future scams;
• trust testimonials from people who claim to have benefitted from the offer;
• be intimidated into making a quick decision;

Always act with caution and if you have any suspicions don’t be afraid to delete the email…  And remember, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!

BUMBO® BABY SEAT SAFETY ALERT

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 19, 2012

Cardiff Council Trading Standards is issuing an urgent safety alert to anyone using a Bumbo® Baby Seat following at least 50 reported incidents in the United States where infants have fallen out of the seats and fractured their skulls.

The company which makes the seats, Baby International Trust, is currently recalling four million seats in the US but not in the UK. Instead, UK consumers are being offered free safety harnesses.

Consumers are being advised that they should immediately stop using the product until they order and install a free repair kit. The kit includes: a restraint belt with a warning label, installation instructions, safe use instructions and a new warning sticker.

The belt should always be used when a child is placed in the seat. Even with the belt, the seat should never be used on any raised surface. Consumers should also immediately stop using Bumbo® seat covers that interfere with the installation and use of the belt.

 

(more…)