31 October 2023
 Darkness falls across the land, the midnight hour is close at hand…
Yes, the witching hour is upon us as we celebrate Halloween today (Tuesday).
If your children are going out this evening make sure it’s a thriller rather than a horror story by following some simple safety tips from the Child Accident Prevention Trust.
So here are some simple tips to help everyone to stay safe:
- Fire safety - .Keep children away from naked flames and heat sources.
- Wrap up well - Children should ‘layer up’ when they are going out trick or treating.
- Keep candles away from trick-or-treaters - candles in a carved pumpkin can look really spooky but can also be a fire hazard.
- Be visible and stay safe near roads - make sure your child can be seen by motorists by adding reflective tape to their costumes.
- Be alert - wearing a mask can impede a child’s vision, especially near roads. Encourage them to carry a torch and make sure they are not looking at mobile phones rather than the roads.
- Watch out for choking hazards - lollipops, hard candy and mini eggs can all pose risks. Encourage your children to enjoy their sweet treats at home..
Have a frightfully good Halloween and stay safe.
 A new documentary-style video, produced by Hounslow Council and healthy lifestyle organisation BeeZee Bodies, focuses on a day with working mum Veena and the daily challenges she faces to put health at the top of the family’s agenda.
The four-minute-long video follows Veena and her family, and in doing so captures some of the many barriers to health commonly found in the food environment across the borough.
Veena is a busy working mum from Hounslow who faces a daily juggling act; balancing the demands of family life with three children and her job commitments. She says: “I try to cook a balanced meal every day, but I still do get processed food like nuggets or waffles because it’s much easier when I don’t have time.”
The piece represents a snapshot of modern day-to-day life in Hounslow. The Council and its partners want to use the video to raise awareness about the challenges families face and to signpost people to where they can get help in making healthier choices.
 Hounslow Council’s website now includes information about where to get your winter flu and Covid vaccinations close to home.
As part of the Council’s Get Winter Ready campaign, residents who are eligible for the vaccinations are being encouraged to get them as soon as possible to protect themselves and their families.
Getting your vaccinations early also means you will be helping to slow the spread of these viruses through the community.
Eligible groups in Hounslow can book an appointment to get their Covid vaccination by visiting the national NHS booking system.
Visit the Council’s Get Winter Ready web pages to learn more about the vaccines and where to get them.
 More than 25,000 people in Hounslow are living with diabetes.
And with concerns being raised that the number of people being diagnosed with the condition is on the increase, it’s time to take action to prevent it.
Diabetes is a disease when your body’s blood sugar levels are too high. If left untreated, it can lead to damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. It has even been linked to some forms of cancer.
The majority of people in Hounslow with the condition have Type 2 diabetes. In fact, local health services predict that more than 31,000 people in the borough are at high risk of developing the condition.
To help raise awareness about diabetes locally, the Great West Road Primary Care Network (PCN) has organised three Let’s Talk About Diabetes events for November.
The event details are:
- Friday, 10 November from 11am - 2pm at the Jamia Masjid & Islamic Centre, Wellington Road, Hounslow.
- Friday, 17 November from 11.30am - 2pm at the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Neville Close, Hounslow.
- Friday, 24 November from 11am - 2pm at the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Alice Way, Hounslow.
No need to book, just turn up on the day and get involved.
 Niearl discovered BetterPoints in September, and in just seven weeks she has gone from being inactive to being active every day. With a new love of daily walking, she has lost weight and is feeling better.
Here is what she said about how using the app has improved her health and wellbeing:
"Before I downloaded the BetterPoints app I used to hate walking, I would avoid it as much as possible. I started my quit smoking journey and was introduced to the app.
“Since I joined the BetterPoints Hounslow challenge I've been inspired to get out walking as much as possible. I walk on average 35 minutes every day Monday to Friday. At times I really have to push myself, but I am always so proud of myself when I do.
“One of the many benefits is that I've started to feel a bit lighter, and lost around 3kg which is super exciting. I love my walks now and it feels so good when I can log them on the app.
"Winning the Move More Hero of the month has been very encouraging for me to keep increasing my physical activity even more, and improve my general health".
How can you be a Move More Hero like Niearl and win £25 in shopping vouchers with BetterPoints?
Download the app from Google Play or the App Store. and join BetterPoints Hounslow.
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Hounslow Council has launched its 2023 Substance Misuse Survey to better understand the services needed for those seeking substance abuse support. It will help the Council to plan services to provide effective treatment.
The survey will take no more than seven minutes. There are no right or wrong answers. You could win a £50 amazon voucher.
Complete the survey here and share it with your network by scanning the QR code on the image above.
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 There are around 100,000 strokes in England, Scotland and Wales every year, with around 33,000 stroke-related deaths each year, as well as being a leading cause of disability.
The FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) acronym provides a memorable way of identifying the most common signs of a stroke and emphasises the importance of acting quickly by calling 999.
Think and Act FAST if you see any single one of these signs of a stroke:
- Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
- Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
- Speech – is their speech slurred?
- Time – even if you’re not sure, call 999.
A stroke is known as a ‘brain attack’. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention as every minute is vital.
That is why calling 999 is so crucial. Early recognition of symptoms can give stroke patients those extra precious minutes, enabling faster access to specialist treatment and increasing the chances of a recovery which could reduce the long-term effects, such as a disability.
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