Stay safe this half term

Spring is upon us! As the evenings get lighter and the weather gets warmer, we know your little ones will be raring to get outside and play, especially during the Easter holidays.

Living near a building site can be very exciting, especially for young children who want to explore, but it’s important that they know it’s not a playground. At St. Modwen Homes we regularly visit local schools to keep pupils safe by raising the awareness of potential hazards, including heavy machinery, scaffolding and falling objects.

Just as important is knowing the dangers at the end of your drive and the associated risks of young children playing in or around parked cars. To make sure your children stay safe this half term here are some top tips from the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents’ driveway safety campaign:

·         Be aware of the risks of children running out to greet or wave goodbye to guests while vehicles are still manoeuvring.

·         When you are reversing off a driveway, your view is limited and you may not be able to see small children in your mirrors. Whenever possible, reverse onto a driveway, and drive off forwards to reduce the risk. If you can’t do that, just be aware of your surroundings – wind down your windows and, being mindful of your blind spots, take it slow as you reverse.

·         Always make sure the handbrake is applied when you’re parked and if your driveway is on a slope, park in gear with the wheel turned so if the brakes fail the car won’t roll back and cause an accident.

·         Remember that drivers in larger vehicles, such as 4x4's and pick-up trucks, may not be able to see small children who are close to the vehicle's bumpers.

Take a look at this handy guide from the full driveway safety guide here to find out more. You can also find out more about building site safety here. 

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Tick Tock...Time to choose your perfect clock!

With the clocks going forward this Sunday, we thought it only right that we give some attention to the humble clock; a mechanism that has graced our mantelpieces since the 17^th Century. Here, Samantha Simmonds from Interior design agency, Killer 5, gives us an insight into her favourite clocks…

“Clocks do more than tell the time, they can often be a unique piece of art and create a real statement in a room. What’s more, there’s a clock for every interior trend (and budget) so, however you’re designing your new home, there really will be a clock to suit you.

“Whilst it is unknown who made the first one and where it originated from, the cuckoo clock has passed through the generations and still remains a firm favourite today. Whether you want a traditional wooden cuckoo clock like this one from Notonthehighstreet.com, a patterned mustard and grey version such as this from Habitat or a much more simplistic cuckoo clock (ok, it might not actually be a cuckoo clock but we liked the idea), there’s plenty to choose from. Personally, I love the bright red used in this statement clock and wall sticker and think it would look fantastic as a feature in a living room or child’s bedroom.

“The cuckoo clock wouldn’t suit every home though. Many people opt for a more simplistic interior design and there are some stunning clocks to suit this style too. One of my favourites is this slate and copper clock from Made which, when placed on a white wall, would create a real elegance to any room. You could also adopt a more industrial look with either this oversized clock from Cox & Cox or this intricate metal Cogsworth clock from House of Fraser. Alternatively, this wooden sundial clock would add a modern finish to a more traditional home whilst this wooden and white clock would look great on a brightly coloured feature wall.

“In fact, why not use your clock to add a bit of colour to a room? Here’s a retro teal and orange clock from Etsy, or you could opt for this unusual multi-coloured clock from Habitat.

“There really is a clock to suit every theme. Here’s an ice-cream clock from Asda, a personalised clock showing a map of your new home and a recycled PlayStation Clock. With so much choice out there it’s going to be hard to decide which will suit your home best.

“Just one last thing though, don’t forget to move all your beautiful new clocks forward by an hour this Sunday!”

N.B. The information supplied in this blog is the opinion of the individual quoted and not necessarily that of St. Modwen Homes. St. Modwen Homes recognises that many companies offer similar products and the Company is not endorsing any particular items. 

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