Playing safely in urban streams
As we approach the school holidays and children head outdoors exploring our beautiful parks and streams we’d like to remind you how to play safely in urban streams.
The water quality of our streams can be variable.
Stormwater run-off and other contaminants can affect the water quality of our urban streams.
While there are actions being taken by council and interest groups to improve the water quality in our streams, the water can contain ‘bugs’ that can make people sick. To keep people safe it’s important to follow the tips below.
Here are some tips on enjoying our streams safely:
- Children should always be supervised when playing in or around water.
- Always avoid contact with streams during heavy rain and for 48 hours after it stops raining.
- Never drink stream water.
- Always wash your hands after coming into contact with stream water and before eating.
- Keep stream water out of your eyes, ears, mouth, or any open sores. If your children are too young to understand these precautions please avoid contact with streams.
- Wading and exploring is ok, but the water in streams is not suitable for swimming. To check out the best places for swimming in our region see www.gw.govt.nz...
How you can help:
- Report cracked or leaking pipes (and if you spot a leak on your own property organise for a plumber to check the pipes as soon as possible).
- Make sure rubbish is not left near streams including picking up dog poo.
- Only rain should go down the drain - empty detergents and paintbrush residue onto the lawn, or tip down the sink, not into drains leading to stormwater.
- Wash cars on the lawn, or at an approved carwash.
- Use non-toxic pesticides and fertilisers on your gardens.
- Reduce run-off by using porous landscaping, such as bark chips or lawn.
Latest scams to look out for 👀
Neighbourly hopes to keep you safe by keeping you informed of the latest scams circulating. This week, we are sharing two common text message scams:
NZTA / Waka Kotahi scam:
- The scam is a text message saying it's from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and it encourages the recipient to pay an overdue road toll by visiting a fake website, threatening to take the matter to court within 15 days if they don’t pay up.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- While it is not the first time toll payments have been utilised by scammers, the threat of court action could see more people fall victim.
- The sender will either be a unknown phone number or unknown email address.
Want to report one of these scams? Do so, on Netsafe
NZ Post scam:
- This scam arrives by test message and says it's from NZ Post.
- The premise is that delivery of your parcel was unsuccessful so in order to rearrange delivery. you must click on a link to give your correct address.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- NZ Post advises people not to click the link, but to report the message to the Department of Internal Affairs by forwarding it to 7726.
Think you may have fallen prey to a scam? Get in touch with Netsafe or contact your bank if it involved your bank details.
Remember, if you didn't expect the message and you are now asked to share personal details or money, then stop contact and seek advice elsewhere.
Feel free to share any below that you've encountered recently. This may help others across the country be aware.
Best medical alarms
Do you feel less steady on your feet than you used to be, or perhaps have already experienced a fall or seizure? If so, a medical alarm can help you regain your independence and confidence.
If you have a medical emergency or fall, just press the button on your personal medical alarm and speak to an operator through the built-in speaker. If you can’t speak, an ambulance will be dispatched immediately.
There are a number of different medical alarm options available in New Zealand, so you will be able to find one that suits your needs.
Click read more for the full article.
Poll: Have you had a pen pal?
With the invention of the internet and mobile phone communication, pen pals seem to be a thing of the past but it was a common practice at one point.
Did you have a pen pal? Where did you meet them? Share below!
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66.7% Yes
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32.9% No
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0.3% Other - I'll share below!
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