Check through regularly as you might be surprised at what new useful links you find.
Federation of Master Builders
Check A Member Link - http://www.fmb.org.uk/check-a-member/
Financial and Consumer Support
Although you have probably even visited the site, www.MonseySavingExpert.com is an amazing resource that is worth researching for any consumer related questions you might have, from how to check your credit scores to where might offer the best mortgages or insurance packages. Make use of it – its free! See also Credit Checks (above)
(The) Financial Services Register
This is the official register operated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority of all individuals and businesses authorised to provide relevant regulated activities in the UK. Information on what the register covers and how it can be searched are also available via this link: http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/home.do
Find Law: www.findlaw.co.uk
“The UK's biggest
online legal information site, providing daily news, blogs, forums and articles
to help you understand the law.”
First Aid (Sub list)
The good news is that St John Ambulance's free First Aid app, available for Android, Apple and Blackberry systems has been downloaded over 100,000 times. There are also many other useful apps available. The bad news is that millions more have yet to download these apps or, better still, take some first aid training - see the video below.
The resounding message from all key sites however is to get some first aid training.
Key resources:
NHS Choices first aid: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Accidents-and-first-aid/Pages/Introduction.aspx
British Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/First-aid
Saint John Ambulance (along with many other organisations) also delivers first aid training: http://www.sja.org.uk/ see the video then check out their courses and free first aid apps! There are also a host of first aid advice videos available online, but weeding the good and relevant from the not so good is time consuming and this is one thing that is not available in an emergency. At the very least, download the free first aid app!
Floodline 24/7 from the Environment Agency = 0345 988 1188 (type talk 0345 602 6430)
Environmental hazards and incident hotline (Environment Agency) 24/7 = 0800 80 70 60
A government advice page on flooding and burst mains can be found here
Fly tipped or illegally dumped waste
Here is a government page offering some advice on what to do
Food safety
Did you know that you can research the hygiene rating of almost every place in the country where it is possible to eat at. I say almost, because I have just checked for a decent restaurant we visited recently, which has now been open for at least nine months and is not listed. Had I known of this list, I would not have touched it (which would have been unfortunate for me, it and the area, as I think it was pretty good). Henceforth however, I will tend to shy away from anything with a rating less than three and try and stick with four and fie star establishments. (That is, when I can remember about this and, to be honest, I tend to go with recommendation sites).
The Food Standards Agency’s national database of food hygiene ratings can be accessed here. http://ratings.food.gov.uk/
There is, in addition a mass of information on the web relating to food, nutrition and hygiene and, in due course it may be appropriate to prepare a dedicated page of the best links nad advice.
Foreign Office travel advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Presents key travel advice for over 200 countries
Fraud
Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 = http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
Action Fraud is the UK's national fraud and internet crime reporting centre
From its home page: ‘We provide a central point of contact for information about fraud and financially motivated internet crime. If you've been scammed, ripped off or conned, there is something you can do about it. Report fraud to us and receive a police crime reference number.’ The site presents alternative contact mechanisms, assorted advice and claims the service is used by: individuals’ police offices; charities; small businesses and large corporations.
Gambling (Sublist)
Gamblers Anonymous: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk - Support for people with an actual or potential gambling problem
GamCare: www.gamcare.org.uk - Support, information and advice to anyone suffering through a gambling problem. Also offer phone support via 0808 8020 133, 7days a week, 8am – Midnight.
National Gambling Helpline: www.gambleaware.co.uk – An alternative route into the same 0808 8020 133 helpline as presented at Gamcare
NHS Gambling problem relevant advice. Additional advice, including a video interview with a past gambling addict, but pointing to the same GamCare helpline is presented by yhe NHS at http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/addiction/Pages/gamblingaddiction.aspx
Gas safety (sub-list)
Gas safety and emergency number = 0800 111 999
Smell Gas? To report a gas or carbon monoxide emergency, or if a pipeline is struck (even if no gas leak has occurred) call the National Gas Emergency Service 24 hours a day on 0800 111 999 (calls are recorded and may be monitored)
This is the page explaining what happens when you report and emergency: http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Safety/Gas-emergency/
Gas Safe Register = http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/
This is the official list of gas engineers who are qualified to work safely and legally on gas appliances. Always check your engineer is on the Gas Safe Register.
Get Safe Online
Getsafeonline.org offers an array of easy-to-understand information on online safety
Hearing
Action On Hearing Loss: www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk – is the new name for what was once the Royal National Institute for the Deaf. The web site offers a wealth of resources for people with or concerned about partial or total hearing loss,
Highway code (sub-list)
Rules for cyclists: https://www.gov.uk/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82
General: https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/highway-code
Home Safety
http://www.rospa.com/homesafety/
Independent Police Complaints Commission: www.ipcc.gov.uk
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales and sets the standards by which the police should handle complaints. It is independent, making its decisions entirely independently of the police and government. Will offer advice if you feel you have suffered or witnessed police misconduct. (0300 020 0096 M-F 9am – 5pm, else enquiries@ipcc.gov.uk, else tweet @IPCC_enquiries)
The Information Commissioner's Office
Main listing description at “Data protection and personal information rights”. The ICO helpline 0303 123 1113 is open M-F 9-5
These listings are subject to revision according to feedback and periodic research.
Check through regularly as you might be surprised at what new useful links you find.
Thank you
