Be it overloaded extension leads, bargain batteries or sleeping under electric blankets left on all night, you could play your part in raising awareness about the inherent dangers.
Older people or those with a disability, particularly those who are digitally excluded, might be more inclined to take advice from someone they trust - and so Kent County Council (KCC) has launched Teacher In Your Pocket.
It’s a one-stop-site full of punchy videos with important messages that cover everything from trailing cables to the dos and don’ts with rechargeable items.
The idea is you spend some time sitting with your person, calling up the accessible videos on your mobile phone and helping them to understand the advice.
“Children, grandchildren, friends and carers can help raise awareness over a cup of tea on a one-to-one basis with easily-digestible video content.”
Head of Kent Trading Standards Steve Rock said: “This is designed for people who might not have access to nor use the internet and is a window on a wealth of important information and tips about the risks of unsafe products and practices. It turns a mobile phone into a teaching device.
“Children, grandchildren, friends and carers can help raise awareness over a cup of tea on a one-to-one basis with easily-digestible video content that looks at safety in the home as well as why to avoid certain second-hand or cut-price products, no matter how much of a good deal they seem.
“Teacher In Your Pocket is also a worthwhile exercise in reminding more vulnerable members of our community how crucial it is to be discerning with who you trust with information, with scammers and doorstep criminals getting more and more sophisticated with less and less of a conscience.”
Teacher In Your Pocket brings together expertise within KCC's Community Protection team including from Trading Standards officers as well as partner organisations like Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
The team are speaking to schools in the hope children will take it home to older members of their family.
Information can be printed from the site so it can be revisited. There are also links to how to get advice and report concerns about products and dodgy sellers.
Further information
To find out more visit: kent.gov.uk/TEPO
