Scam Warning

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Please see the following warning from North Yorkshire Police:

North Yorkshire Police have received a number of reports over the weekend from residents who have received a text message to apply for the £400 energy rebate. This is a scam. The rebate is applied directly by the energy companies and you do not have to apply for it. The text message encourages the user to click on a link and is then asked to input banking details. I suspect the format will then follow similar scams (Royal Mail Delivery/Covid contact) where the victim will subsequently receive a call claiming to be from their bank telling them they are monitoring suspicious activity on their account and they need to move their money to protect it.

Remember, the police or bank will NEVER ask you to move money to a safe account.

You can report scam text messages by forwarding them to 7726 which is a free service

Chimney Fires

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Please see the information below from Malton Fire Station & NYFRS regarding chimney fires and keeping safe:

  • Regular cleaning of your chimney or flue keeps it clear from a build-up of soot and obstructions such as bird and animal nests, leaves and debris.
  • Chimneys should be swept by a trained person (this is guidance only); at least once a year for smokeless fuel, at least twice a year for bituminous coal, and quarterly for wood.
  • The best time to get your chimney swept is before the start of the heating season, when your fire/wood burner hasn’t been used for a prolonged period.
  • Have your chimney flue inspected regularly (at least once a year) to ensure that it is in good condition.
  • Check the roof space regularly, when a fire is lit, to ensure that smoke is not leaking into the roof space.
  • Don’t use flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin to light your fire.
  • Wood should be dry and well-seasoned –this usually takes about two years.
  • Always use an appropriate fireguard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers.
  • Have wood burners/multi-fuel stoves installed and serviced by competent engineers, and in line with building standards (building regulations).
  • Don’t store logs too close to fires and wood burners, as radiated heat can cause them to catch fire.
  • Make sure that your fire is well ventilated, and enough air is coming into the room. Don’t block air bricks or vents.
  • Fit smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. If you’re a landlord ensure you are complying with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulation 2015.
  • Make sure embers are under control and extinguished properly before you go out or go to bed.
  • Make sure ash and embers are cold before putting them in a wheelie bin.

Be Aware Knowledge Hub

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Please see the following information from NYCC:

North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership are proud to launch their new Be Aware Knowledge hub:

NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk)

Be Aware is a knowledge hub designed to help prevent and tackle child exploitation in North Yorkshire.

The site is designed with information specifically for parents, carers, young people, local residents and businesses to raise awareness and provide a one-stop shop of information about child exploitation by highlighting:

  • What child exploitation is and what it can look like.
  • Highlighting the different types of child exploitation – including County Lines and online exploitation.
  • How to talk to children about what child exploitation is, and things we can all do to help young people stay safe.
  • What the signs are that child exploitation and grooming may be happening.
  • What help and support is available in North Yorkshire if you are worried.

Village Plan Questionnaire Deadline

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The deadline for returning completed Village Plan questionnaires is the 16th September 2022. If yours hasn’t been collected/returned yet, please drop it off at The Old School House by this date or contact if you would like it collecting. We would really like to get as much input as possible from villagers into the plan, so please complete and return the questionnaire if you can.

Thanks, The Village Plan Steering Committee.