The latest Trading Standards Bulletin may be viewed below. LOSRA joins Trading Standards in wishing all our readers a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Give cold callers the cold shoulder this Christmas!

We have received Intelligence reports of cold callers selling the following products and services:

• Mattresses (beware - these may not comply with flammability standards)
• Massage equipment for the elderly
• More reports about offers of advertising space for businesses in emergency services magazines.

Remember - don't feel pressured into buying goods or services as a result of a cold call. Take your time, do your research and if you want to stop cold callers from knocking at your home them please contact us to obtain a "No Cold Calling Super Sticker"

Recalls

Check your Christmas Cheese Board!

Asda, The Co-operative and Morrisons have withdrawn certain batches of mild cheddar and red Leicester cheese because small pieces of metal may be present in the following products:

• ASDA Smart Price Mild White Cheddar, 385g
• ASDA Smart Price Red Leicester, 385g
• The Co-operative British Mild White Cheddar 250g
• The Co-operative Value Red Leicester
• Morrisons M Savers Mild White Cheddar, 350g
• Morrisons M Savers Mild White Cheddar, 700g
• Morrisons M Savers Grated Mild White Cheddar, 500g
• Morrisons M Savers 10 Mild White Cheddar Cheese Slices, 240g
  
  

If you have bought any of the products listed above, please go to the following link for further instructions: http://www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/recalls-news/2012/dec/cheese-metal-withdrawal

Pushchair recall from Bugaboo

Bugaboo is recalling some of their Cameleons and Donkeys pushchairs because the white button on the carry handle may pop out when the bassinet/pram body is resting on the ground or is placed on an unstable surface. If the white button pops out, the carry handle may detach on one side.

If you have one of the affected Bugaboo Cameleons or Donkeys you should remove the current carry handle from the pushchair until a new carry handle has been fitted.

The Bugaboo Cameleons affected by this recall have serial numbers in the ranges:

• S/N 04011090900001 to S/N 04031101009999
• S/N 08011090900001 to S/N 08021100800386
• S/N 140100093600531 to S/N 140103123350418

The Bugaboo Donkeys affected by this recall have serial numbers in the range:

• S/N 170101105300001 to S/N 170104130900500

Affected customers should immediately contact Bugaboo customer services on 0800 587 8265.

Stay safe in your home at Christmas

Christmas is a time when your home is likely to be full of people and it is in the excitement of the season that accidents can easily happen. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has issued 12 safety tips to help prevent your festivities being cut short by a trip to casualty:

http://www.rospa.com/homesafety/adviceandinformation/christmassafety/safety-tips.aspx

New year’s resolutions support

Did you know that you are up to four times more likely to be able to quit smoking if you get some support, rather than going "cold turkey" or attempting to do it alone? Contact your local Stop Smoking Service at www.surreyquit.net for free support to help you kick the habit. You can visit a weekly clinic near you or get support over the telephone. There is no fuss and no cost, just friendly and effective help! Call them now on 0845 602 3608

If you are looking to reduce your alcohol intake then why not try having an alcohol-free January? Feel better, save money and make a difference. http://www.dryjanuary.org.uk/

If you are concerned about someone else’s drinking or your own, local help is available through www.surreydrugcare.org.uk/alcohol/ and for more information go to www.alcoholconcern.org.uk

How green will your Christmas be?

With so many presents being packaged, bought, wrapped and unwrapped at this time of year, what can you do to minimise your impact on the environment? Remembering to reduce, reuse and recycle will help to make your habits greener. For example, cut only as much wrapping paper as you need to cover a gift and separate your recyclable waste as you generate it.

Find out what the Surrey Councils are doing to help secure a greener future for Surrey and what you can do to help:www.surreywastepartnership.org.uk/index.php

Cut food waste and save money this Christmas

As food prices continue to rise around the world, it’s a sobering thought to know that many families waste up to £50 a month throwing away uneaten food. We also know that cutting down on food waste can be a challenge, especially when pushed for time and children don’t always want to eat what has been cooked for them.

To help reduce food waste, take a look at www.lovefoodsurrey.com/component/content/article/231 where Love Food Surrey chef Carmela Tomkins gives her top festive tips to help you plan the perfect waste-free Christmas.

Taking just one small step to reduce food waste can have a big positive effect on the environment and save you money too. Will these tips inspire you to take that step?

For some festive fun you can take a look at our Twitter and Facebook accounts (you don't need to sign up to see these!)

@surreyts facebook.com/surreytradingstandards

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year from the team at Trading Standards!