252-08 Roadshows promote safer homes

Council Back Safer Homes Roadshows

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is backing a series of roadshows across the city, aimed to improve the security and wellbeing of people and their homes.

The Safe and Sound Homes scheme brings together Staffordshire Police and Fire Service; Kickstart; Warm Zone; Beat the Cold and Age Concern and aims to give the public advice on the services, loan products and grants that are available to help make their homes healthier, and safer.

As we spend so much time in our homes, their quality is a serious concern. Almost everyone is at risk from the affects of an unhealthy home. However, young children, the elderly and people with serious or long-term health problems are often most at risk.

The link between poor housing and ill health has been made in relation to cold, damp and mouldy conditions in the home. This can increase the occurrence of excess winter deaths from hypothermia, as well as other symptoms and illness such as asthma, bronchitis or pneumonia and arthritis.

Councillor Joan Bell, portfolio holder for Community Safety, said: “It’s essential everyone understands just how important it is for their home to be safe and secure. In today’s world, so many people are unaware of the simple dangers that can come of putting off that next improvement, or not bothering to maintain their existing surroundings. With these roadshows, we hope to make people more responsive to the measure they can take to help themselves.”

The Road Shows will be based at the following venues from 9.30am – 4.30pm:

• Monday 28 July 2008 – Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre
• Tuesday 29 July 2008 – Hanley City Centre (adjacent to the Halifax)
• Wednesday 30 July 2008 – Sainsbury’s Supermarket, Stoke – Lord Mayor Councillor Derek Capey will now be attending at approx 1:30pm.
• Thursday 31 July 2008 – Hanley City Centre (next to the Halifax)
• Friday 1 August 2008 – Adjacent to the Market Hall, Tunstall