Pregnant Women to be Given Dog Safety Leaflets...

LEAFLETS advising parents on how to ensure their children stay safe with family dogs are to be distributed to expectant mums in a bid to keep children safe.  NHS Liverpool Community Health has joined up with pet charity The Blue Cross to produce and distribute the leaflets, which will be issued to 5,5000 women across the city each year. 

2 leaflets will be included in Birth Packs – The Blue Cross-produced Your Dog and Your Baby, and Be Safe With Dogs.  The leaflets include information on dog body language, the reasons why they may bite, advice on introducing your dog to a new baby, and an explanation of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The move comes as researchers at the University of Lincoln found the majority of children under the age of 7 do not see the warning signs when dogs are angry.  The scientists concluded that children’s inability to read dogs’ body language could be putting them at risk of being bitten.

Merseyside Police have also provided Health Visitors with a booklet entitled Dog Related Incidents, to educate staff on the Dangerous Dogs Act and to keep them safe.

Christine Burns, Senior Manager in Community Children’s Teams for NHS Liverpool Community Health, said:- “Following the recent attacks and tragic deaths of a number of children, the Children’s Clinical Governance Group felt compelled to educate families to prevent any further tragic incidents of this nature.  Many dog owners trust their dogs completely, but the many sad cases of children being injured or worse by dogs means that, adults need to be extra vigilant with their dog if children are around.  I contacted both The Blue Cross and Merseyside Police to ask if they may be able to provide us with educational leaflets, and both organisations couldn’t have been more generous in providing us with thousands of leaflets about how to prepare both children and dogs to live safely and harmoniously together."

Another study out this week by researchers at the University of London has highlighted the benefits of owning a dog, with results revealing that children in homes with dogs were more active than those without.

Tracy Genever, Education Development Manager at The Blue Cross, said:- “There are over seven million dogs in the UK and many of them are bought for companionship and as family pets. It is important that children understand how to behave around the dogs in their homes and in their community so they can enjoy their company and remain safe, and we were delighted to help NHS Liverpool Community Health to do that.”

Matt Boyle, Dog Section Inspector from Merseyside Police, said:- "If you are thinking of buying a pet dog, then seek as much advice and guidance as possible. Buy from reputable breeders, getting references first if you can, and always ask to see the pup(s) with the parents in their home environment.  If you are taking a new pup home be prepared for your new responsibilities as a dog owner, register them with a vet, get them micro-chipped and insured and consider obedience classes.   If after some time you are concerned about your dog seek advice from a recommended animal behaviourist or vet, or if you suspect the dog as it grows-up is an illegal breed then seek police advice by either calling into your local police station or the non-emergency number 0151 709 6010."

CORRIE STAR DEBBIE RUSH SUPPORTS THE NSPCC HELPLINE CAMPAIGN IN LIVERPOOL AND MERSEYSIDE

WITH the NSPCC chosen as one of Coronation Street’s official 50th Anniversary charities, soap star Debbie Rush has given her support to the NSPCC to help promote awareness of its Helpline service across Merseyside.

Debbie Rush, the Manchester born soap star, who plays fiesty character Anna Windass, is backing the NSPCC’s campaign to encourage everyone across Merseyside to save the NSPCC Helpline number:– 0808 800 5000.

The NSPCC Helpline is a free, 24 hour service which provides advice and support to anyone worried about a child, whether it’s a serious concern about a child being abused or harmed, or a need for advice about a child’s welfare. People can contact the Helpline for help and advice on any parenting or child related matter.

The actress who joined the soap in November 2008 with on-screen husband Eddie and son Gary, has taken time out of her busy filming schedule to visit the NSPCC Helpline in Salford, which takes calls from across the UK including Merseyside. She saw first hand the work the advisors do to help protect children in the North West and around the UK.

Commenting on her support of the NSPCC, Debbie said:- "As a mother of three children, I know how precious children are. Having visited the Helpline and spoken to the advisors who take calls and emails from the public, I have no doubt they really can make a difference to a child’s life. One call might be all it takes to help keep a child safe from harm or abuse. If I, or any member of my family were worried about a child, we wouldn’t hesitate to contact the NSPCC Helpline. I urge everyone to save the NSPCC Helpline Number - 0808 800 5000 - in their phones. So, if you ever have any worries about a child or young person’s welfare you can call in confidence and get advice. Not all children can speak out for themselves. You never know, you may be that child’s only hope.”

Anyone who contacts the Helpline can remain completely anonymous. People can either call on:- 0808 800 5000 or email about any concerns they have, whether it be for their own children, or a child known to them. Alternatively, they can complete a form anonymously on the NSPCC website.

John Cameron, Head of the NSPCC Helpline, said:- “I would like to thank Debbie for taking time out of her busy schedule to help support our awareness campaign for our Helpline. We’re open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and when people call or email with a concern, they deal directly with experienced and qualified child protection specialists who can offer help and advice. I would like to reassure people not to worry about doing the wrong thing by contacting the NSPCC Helpline, it really doesn’t matter if it’s a small worry, the most important thing is to contact us.”

The NSPCC Helpline provides information, help and advice to anyone in all communities across the UK. People call about a range of child welfare concerns, the top five reasons are: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and difficulties within family relationships.

In March this year the NSPCC was announced as one of four charities to benefit from Coronation Street's 50th anniversary celebrations. Chosen by the cast, the charities will benefit from a variety of activity over the coming year - starting with the auction of the bespoke 'flying ducks' brooch, created for The Duchess of Cornwall's visit to the cobbles last month.

Please save the NSPCC Helpline number in your mobile phone:- 0808 800 5000. You never know when a child might need you...

Stolen Car & Medication

POLICE in Cheshire are appealing for witnesses after a car was stolen on Hale Road, near Speke, just after 4pm on Thursday, 23 September 2010. The silver Ford Focus was stolen whilst the driver was making deliveries of medication to various addresses in the area. There was a quantity of prescribed medication aboard the vehicle at the time it was stolen. Police advise anyone who discovers any discarded medication in the area to take it to their nearest Police station or Pharmacy for safe disposal. Prescription medication can be dangerous and even lethal if ingested or administered inappropriately, and is especially dangerous if swallowed by children. Anyone with any information should contact Cheshire Police on:- 08454580000.