Headlines: Birnbeck Pier, cannabis arrests, wheelchair 'attack'
What have been the big stories in the West this week?
Swindon Advertiser reported on a 14-year-old child with disabilities who was pulled from his wheelchair by a student and then kicked and punched in the head. His mother said she was "heartbroken" after the incident at Commonweal School. A spokesperson for the school said they were taking the incident "very seriously".A six-year-old boy from Burnham-on-Sea was said to be "cured" of epileptic seizures by pioneering neurosurgery, according to ITV West Country. Since having brain surgery at Bristol Children's Hospital six months ago, Finley hasn't had "a single seizure". A video of the moment three men were arrested for running a same-day cannabis delivery service was a top post for Bristol Live. The RNLI's decision to pull out of Birnbeck Pier restoration project has been a strong talking point this week, with significant negative reaction to the decision.Two rare Roman cavalry swords found near Chipping Camden - which led to the discovery of a settlement - was popular for Stroud News. According to Historic England the new evidence "will help us understand more about what happened around the period of the Roman conquest, which must have been a tumultuous time".
Top five local stories for the BBC in the West
Something longer to read
Bristol 24/7 has taken an in-depth look at the difficulties experienced by people affected by brain injury. Feature writer, Hannah Massoudi, talked to the Barton Hill based charity, Headway, which has been supporting survivors of brain injuries for more than 40 years. She spoke to Lindsay Forbes, whose partner Colin suffered a brain injury 19 years ago as a result of an unmotivated attack.Ms Forbes first approached Headway as she said there was "very little information about what to expect during the recovery process".She says "one of the biggest reasons that those living with brain injuries are misunderstood is because many of the effects of brain injury are invisible and often stigmatised".
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BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
World Drowning Prevention Day: How just floating can save lives
Over 40 people floated together off the coast of North Tyneside, England this week to bring attention to the Float to Live is a technique that can help prevent serious injuries or drowning in the group gathered ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on July what is World Drowning Prevention Day? And why can floating in water help save the lives of even inexperienced swimmers?Find out here. What is World Drowning Prevention Day? The day was declared by the United Nations in 2021 to bring attention to the importance of water can happen if a swimmer is inexperienced or if they make unsafe accidents also happen in outdoor swimming locations like beaches, rivers and lakes.A number of organisations including safety charities the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) say one of the best ways to prevent accidents in the water is the Float to Live technique. Float to Live: What do you need to do? The Float to Live technique was developed with the University of Portsmouth and the say if you are in a situation where you feel unsafe in the water, you can use the following steps to float and wait for help:Tilt your head back - your ears should be underwater, but your nose and mouth above water to allow you to breatheRelax - Try and control your breathingGentle movements - Move your arms and legs gently to stay afloatLegs - Your legs might sink lower than your torso in the water but that's ok, everyone floats differentlyThe RNLI also recommends practicing floating in local pools with supervision from an experienced trusted adult like a lifeguard. Top tips for being safe around water In the summer, lots of us love a dip in the local pool or at the beach to cool there are some important things you should know if you want to stay safe in the spoke to some water safety experts to get their advice on what you can do to keep yourself and others safe. What is cold water shock? Many swimmers are often shocked at the temperature of water, even in warm summer to research from the University of Portsmouth, the average temperature of UK and Irish waters is 12⁰C. While this might not sound very low, the RNLI say any water temperature below 15⁰C is considered inland bodies of water like lakes and rivers can often be colder than the water can cause swimmers to panic, which is why staying calm and floating on the water can help keep you safe.
Powys County Times
3 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Rescuers take to the water to highlight Float to Live technique
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Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Daily Mail
I'm a doctor - this one household feature is slowly harming your health
A common household feature may be unknowingly creating an unseen health risk – and it's hiding in plain sight. According to GP Dr Emily Carter, older carpets pose an unexpected health threat. 'People usually think of carpets as harmless,' said Dr Carter. 'But old carpets can be a major source of indoor pollution.' Carpets are known to trap allergens like dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mould spores, and even chemical residues from cleaning products or smoke. Over time, these build up in the fibres and can trigger or worsen health issues especially in children, the elderly, and those with asthma or allergies. The difficulty is that this build-up can occur gradually - even when older carpet is regularly vacuumed or appears clean. There are certain recurring health symptoms to be on the look out for that may indicate that your home environment could be be impacting on your health. Signs include frequent sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes while indoors, worsening allergy or asthma symptoms. Feeling tired or headachy without clear cause is another indicator. Sudden skin irritations - especially in younger children – can also result from carpet-trapped allergens. However, the tricky part with many of these symptoms is that many may be mistaken for seasonal allergies or minor colds. Dr Carter, who is also a UK-based mother of two young children, said she had seen first-hand the health issues that can be caused by older carpets. 'I've seen it in my own family, my youngest started getting skin rashes and breathing problems that we couldn't explain,' Dr Carter said. 'After having our carpets replaced and testing air quality, the symptoms started improving.' For anyone who is concerned about whether their carpet poses a possible health risk, the British doctor recommends a simple 'sniff test' as a first line assessment. 'If a room smells musty no matter how often you clean it, that's a red flag,' Dr Carter said. 'Especially in bedrooms, where people spend hours each night, clean air matters more than we think.' For families with babies, Dr Carter also urges extra caution: 'Young children spend a lot of time crawling and playing on floors.' 'Their immune systems are still developing, so they're more likely to react to mould spores and dust mites. If you notice frequent eczema flare-ups or a child often gets congested indoors, your flooring could be part of the problem.' According to My Home Improvements, most carpets should be replaced every 7–10 years, depending on usage, cleaning habits, and exposure to pets or dampness. The UK home renovation business suggests that any carpet over a decade old is likely to be 'past its best'. 'Your carpet is like a sponge, it absorbs everything that enters your home. Over time, it collects years of grime, allergens, and chemical residues that vacuuming can't always reach,' says an expert from My Home Improvements. 'Even professional deep cleans won't remove built-up toxins that have soaked into the padding underneath. 'Replacing old flooring might not be glamorous, but it could be the biggest upgrade you make for your health.'
