But how accurate is your personal tyre pressure gauge? The Trading Standards Service is now giving you the opportunity to have your personal tyre pressure gauge tested, . . . → Read More: TYRE PRESSURE ACCURACY]]> East Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards Service is testing the accuracy of tyre pressure gauges at all retail filling stations and commercial tyre distributors throughout East Ayrshire.

But how accurate is your personal tyre pressure gauge? The Trading Standards Service is now giving you the opportunity to have your personal tyre pressure gauge tested, free of charge. Simply take your pressure gauge, whether it is a pencil gauge, dial gauge or foot pump gauge, along to your nearest Local Office or the Trading Standards Service office at 14 London Road between Monday 15 November and Friday 19 November 2010. Your personal gauge will be tested by Trading Standards and can be uplifted during the following week with a report to confirm whether it was accurate to within acceptable tolerances. Inaccurate personal gauges will be returned to owners but with a strong recommendation that they should not be relied upon.

Councillor Jim Todd, Spokesperson for Improving Community Safety said: “This worthwhile initiative demonstrates East Ayrshire’s continued commitment to consumer safety. With winter conditions approaching it is imperative that motorists ensure that their tyres are correctly inflated. This is an ideal opportunity to ensure that personal tyre gauges are accurately measuring tyre pressures, and the great thing is it’s a free service”.

For information and advice contact Trading Standards on 01563 521502.

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A total of 73 blankets were submitted this year and the results show that there are still a number of blankets out there which do not conform to modern safety . . . → Read More: IT’S ELECTRIC!]]> The Council’s Trading Standards Service has ensured that our residents can sleep safely at night thanks to their annual electric blanket safety check project.

A total of 73 blankets were submitted this year and the results show that there are still a number of blankets out there which do not conform to modern safety standards. 26% of all blankets submitted failed the safety test; 14% were condemned as physically or electrically unsafe and 12% failed due to non-conformance with the latest safety standard.

Les Aitchison, Assistant Principal Trading Standards Officer for East Ayrshire Council said: “This project emphasises how important it is to have items such as electric blankets tested for electrical safety. Simple wear and tear can occur through normal usage and render a blanket unsafe and the fact that 26% failed to conform to legal standards confirms this.”

Councillor Jim Todd, Spokesperson for Improving Community Safety said: “Ensuring electric blankets are electrically safe is imperative. A recent fire in Edinburgh is thought to have been started by an electric blanket and the elderly couple involved were very lucky to escape from their smoke filled building.

“This project ensures blankets are operating correctly, are electrically sound and conform to the latest safety standards, thus reducing the chances of starting a fire.”

A £15 voucher, which can be used towards the purchase of a new electric blanket, will be provided to those whose blankets have failed the test.

Although this year’s opportunity for free testing is now closed, if you would like more information on electric blanket safety please contact East Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards Service at 14 London Road, Kilmarnock, Telephone: (01563) 521502.

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Councillor Jim Todd, Spokesperson for Improving Community Safety said: “It is essential that our residents protect their consumer rights and are aware of illegal . . . → Read More: COUNCIL URGES RESIDENTS TO BE VIGILANT]]> East Ayrshire Trading Standards Service is asking residents to be vigilant after receiving complaints about the business practices employed by companies offering repair work to homes in the local area.

Councillor Jim Todd, Spokesperson for Improving Community Safety said: “It is essential that our residents protect their consumer rights and are aware of illegal practises employed by some unscrupulous traders.

“If you employ a trader to carry out work in your home you must receive certain information – including the business details of the trader and, if the cost of the work is above £35, a written notice of the right to cancel the contract. If traders fail to give this information they will be unable to demand payment for any work which has been carried out.”

Trading Standards’ advice to consumers when dealing with doorstep sellers is to remember the following points:

• Do not agree to have work done without a second opinion, or quote/ estimate
• Do not pay a deposit unless you are sure you want to buy.
• Do not let the seller push you into a snap decision.
• Do not let a caller into your home if you are at all suspicious.

Failure to provide written notice of cancellation rights is a criminal offence. Consumers who have not been given proper notification of their cancellation rights should contact Trading Standards immediately on 01563 521502.

Note to Editors

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and The Cancellation of Contracts in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008 control the activities of doorstep sellers.

These regulations have made a significant contribution to the effectiveness of Trading Standards Services action against rogue traders and the protection available to consumers.

Further details can be obtained from East Ayrshire Trading Standards at 01563 521502.

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