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CARMARTHENSHIRE NEWS • EDITION 10 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2012
www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk Opening times
CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council’s Customer
Service
PEOPLE are being asked to help Carmarthenshire families in need through a new Christmas Toybox scheme. Carmarthenshire County Council is working with
local organisations to help make Christmas easier for those in difficult financial situations. People are being asked to donate new toys for children and young people aged from birth to 16, for boys and girls. Collections points will be set up at Ty Elwyn,
Llanelli Town Hall and the Llanelli Star office in Cowell Street; at County Hall, Spilman Street and the Carmarthen Journal offices in Carmarthen; at Ammanford Town Hall and the Guardian office in Quay Street.
For further information visit
www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk call Victoria Wilson on 01267 224011 email
VLWilson@carmarthenshire.gov.uk Trading Standards
Christmas Shopping Tips! 3
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When choosing toys, only buy from shops you know – don’t be tempted by cut price ‘bargains’… the item could be unsafe or cause injury.
Always check for the ‘CE’ mark on any toys you buy – this is also the case for your fairy lights.
Check if a shop offers a returns policy if unsuitable – remember shops do not have to refund or exchange if gifts are unwanted – only if faulty.
Internet shopping can save time and money but remember to check delivery times and that the trader is giving you a ‘cooling off ’ period.
Be careful when signing up for credit... read the small print and make sure you understand and can afford the repayments;
When buying an item over £100, use your credit card if you have one – this may give you additional protection if things go wrong;
Watch out for fakes! Christmas is a prime time for counterfeiters to take advantage of shoppers... be wary of expensive items being sold at a much lower price than you would normally expect.
Keep your receipts. You will be asked for proof of purchase.
Finally, if you do have a problem, Citizens Advice Consumer Service offers immediate advice over the telephone. Contact them on 08454 04 05 06.
THIS Christmas many people will not enjoy the traditional turkey lunch – they will go hungry. It is estimated that 13-million
people live below the poverty line in the UK, hundreds of them right here in Carmarthenshire. Reasons range from losing their job to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. There is a way more fortunate people can help. Through a network
of foodbanks, emergency supplies are made available to support to people experiencing a crisis. Non-perishable in-date food can be
donated by people or organisations such as schools, churches, and businesses. For more
information visit
www.asccarmarthenshire.co.uk or call 01267 234567
Centres and the Contact Centre will close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Normal opening hours will operate on all other days. Some council facilities such as
leisure centres will close between Christmas and New Year. For more information
on Christmas
arrangements at all council facilities visit
www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk be a friend on Facebook or follow @carmsccpress on Twitter. The council’s Careline number – 01558 824283 – will be available 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency.
Plan ahead for a healthy holiday
WORKING your way through your Christmas shopping? Have you thought
medicine to last the festive period? GP surgeries need notice to process
repeat prescriptions so people are encouraged to plan ahead. Many are affected by minor illnesses and ailments at this time of year, but a well- stocked medicine cabinet can help. In most cases, minor illnesses and
injuries don’t need a hospital visit and can be better and more swiftly treated elsewhere, such as at your community pharmacy, or at home. If you do need to access emergency care over Christmas, make sure you Choose Well. Safely store GP out-of-hours contact details and if you require emergency dental services call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 or visit
www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk. You can also download a free bilingual Choose Well app on iOS or android, which includes details about how and when to contact health services, opening hours and digitally mapped directions.
if you have enough
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