Latest news with #RoisinChapman
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Home Bargains' £2 holiday toy is a must-have for parents wanting to keep kids entertained for hours this summer
Roisin Chapman, Lifestyle Reporter Published: Invalid Date, PARENTS staring down the barrel of a long six weeks of summer holidays may want to take a trip to Home Bargains. A budget buy is sure to keep your kids entertained in the warm weather. 3 3 For just under £2 you can guarantee hours of fun in your own garden or at the local swimming pool. If you have a paddling pool in your outdoor space, a Home Bargains buy can create a fun swimming game and keep you cool this summer. You can pick up a Splash Set of Four Diving Rings for just £1.99 from the retailer. According to manufacturers, you can "dive into fun" with these bargain buys. They are described as "perfect for all ages" but parents should still practice caution with their children around water. The dive rings are recommended for ages three years and older. "These brightly coloured rings make swimming practice a blast," the product description read. You can even encourage some friendly competition between your children. And it can also help boost your child's confidence while in the water. "See who can collect them the fastest and improve those diving skills," manufacturers said. The clever way you can ensure your paddling pool is kept warm "Your family will have a splashing good time diving for this set of four brightly coloured numbered rings." The rings can be used to help both children and adults become better swimmers and improve their diving skills. Simply toss the rings into your pool and wait for them to sink to the bottom. Then you can begin your race to see who can collect the most rings first. And we're also rounded up some of the best bargains available for paddling pools this summe r. Swimming safety advice Experts have revealed some of their top advice for both adults and kids heading to the water this summer: How to stay safe at the beach Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: "If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety. "If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard." How to stay safe at the swimming pool Tiny Hearts Education, former paramedic and CEO Nikki Jurcutz said: "Always put your little one in bright or contrasting colours that would be easy to find in an emergency. "It only takes 20 seconds to drown, little tips like this could save a life". An Auqabliss spokesperson added: ' Swimming toys such as noodles, dive rings, floaties and beach balls can be dangerous if left in the pool. ' Children may try to grab these from the pool's edge and fall in." How to stay safe at a waterpark Ali Beckman, Puddle Ducks Technical Director, said: "Never send a child down the slide on their own, not only are they going to be entering the slide pool area independently, they then have to exit the pool and wait for an adult. "And wave pools should be avoided until your child is really confident with water going over their faces and you know they are able to regain their feet independently. ' Waterparks are often very busy places and it's easy to lose sight of a child in a split second." Shoppers have already heaped on the praise for a budget-friendly paddling pool. The price of another paddling pool has been slashed in the lead up to the warm weather. And one mum's hack helps to set up your paddling pool this summer, without you needing to blow it up. A Lidl buy is also guaranteed to keep your kids entertained all summer long. Or you can take to a larger body of water with a paddleboard available from Lidl.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Samsung is giving away FREE tablets worth £259 with one of its top gadgets – find out exact date deal will end
Roisin Chapman, Lifestyle Reporter Published: Invalid Date, SAMSUNG customers can pick up a brand new tablet at no extra cost as part of a limited time offer. The gadget, worth £259, will be included for free every time a shopper picks up a new Android phone. 1 If you're planning to update your phone, buying a specific Galaxy model can earn you a free Samsung tablet. With this deal, there's no better time to upgrade to the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, or Galaxy S25 Ultra. If you switch to one of these latest Galaxy S25 handsets, Samsung will reward you with a Galaxy Tab A9+ tablet free of charge. Given that Samsung usually sells this Android tablet for £259, that's not a bad offer. Complete with an 11-inch LCD touchscreen display, the tablet offers 90Hz high refresh-rate for smoother animations and fast-paced gameplay. This Samsung gadget also has fitted dual speakers, which are ideal for watching your favourite TV shows and movies on-the-move. An 8MP camera on the rear case and a 2MP front-facing camera are perfect for capturing moments and carrying out video calls. It boasts a 7,040mAh battery for all-day usage and 64GB of built-in storage. You can expand your storage up to 1TB with a microSD card while Wi-Fi 5 is built-in for reliable streaming. It comes pre-installed with Samsung's popular One UI software with features like Samsung Knox to secure your personal information and Quick Share to wirelessly share files between devices. Samsung insider reveals top tricks every user needs to know about to save battery and storage The tablet has been praised by tech experts, with NotebookCheck awarding it a score of 84%. They branded it "a fast and far-better-quipped successor to the much-loved Galaxy Tab A8". And now, you can nab one of these well-reviewed 11-inch Android tablets at no cost. From now until June 26, you can claim a free tablet with any purchase of a Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy Flip 6 or Galaxy Fold 6 from the Samsung Store or a participating retailer. Simply submit a claim within 30 days of purchase to claim a free Galaxy Tab A9+. Samsung – a brief history Here's what you need to know... Samsung is a major South Korean company made up of many businesses that operate globally It's known locally as a "chaebol", which means "business conglomerate" It was founded by Lee Byung-chul in 1938 as a trading company But over several decades, it branched out into food processing, insurance, textiles and retail It wasn't until the late 1960s when Samsung entered the electronics industry – for which it's best known in the west today It also launched businesses in construction and shipbuilding in the 1970s Today, Samsung's most important sources of income are its smartphones and computer chips The firm accounts for around 20 per cent of the South Korea's GDP More than 270,000 staff are employed by Samsung globally While the tablet is available in Graphite, Silver, and Navy when bought in-store, Samsung is only sending out the Graphite colourway for free. Shoppers need to be aged 18 or over to submit a claim on the separate Samsung website. And that's not the only deal the brand is currently offering customers. Samsung is also offering £200 for any broken phones you want to trade in. Regardless of the phone's condition, you will receive the discount on your new upgrade.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Argos is selling a handy gadget for keeping you cool this summer – it's £104 less than the Shark version
Roisin Chapman, Lifestyle Reporter Published: Invalid Date, SUMMER is quickly approaching and if you're someone who tends to run hot, Argos has just the thing. You can stay cool and refreshed no matter the temperature with this bargain buy. 3 Whether you're working from home or lounging in your garden, this gadget is guaranteed to keep you cool in the hot weather. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, you can carry this item as you need it all summer long. The Challenge White Desk Fan is currently available for just £25 from Argos. Fully portable, the fan contains a 300 mililitre large water tank for a refreshing misting feature. It features three speed settings and seven colourful nightlight options. The item is similar to a Shark product, but at a significantly lower price point. Shark's FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Fan is currently available for £129.99. This cordless fan is also designed for both indoor and outdoor use with an "ultra-fine misting" feature. However, the water tank is half the size of the Argos product, at just 150 mililitres. This item has a reported 12-hour runtime when not plugged in, when operated at the highest speed setting. B&M launches their children's outdoor range which is perfect for summer - there's a £2 bargain that'll easily keep the kids entertained Remember to compare prices It is important to remember to always shop around when buying something like this as you might find a cheaper alternative. Websites like Trolley and Price Spy let you compare thousands of products across different retailers to find the best price. Price Spy even lets you see how much an item has cost over time, so you can see if the current price is a good deal. A quick scan on the Google Shopping/Product tab will also bring up how much retailers are selling a certain item for. There are plenty of comparison websites out there that'll check prices for you - so don't be left paying more than you have to. How to keep cool in hot weather Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS... Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter. Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes. Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep. Most of them work by comparing the prices across hundreds of retailers. Idealo is another website that lets you compare prices between retailers. All shoppers need to do is search for the item they need and the website will rank them from the cheapest to the most expensive one. CamelCamelCamel only works on goods being sold on Amazon. To use it, type in the URL of the product you want to check the price of. 3
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm a vet – the 10 secret signs your dog really loves you, and it's good news if they always jump up
Roisin Chapman, Lifestyle Reporter Published: Invalid Date, EVERY dog owner has a special bond with their pooch, and now experts have revealed the tell-tale signs your pet loves you. From the classic tail-wagging to mimicking their human, canines show their affection in a number of ways. While sometimes it might feel as though your furry friend is more interested in the treats you supply or the walks you take them on, animal experts have revealed they do in fact love you. And there's 10 ways you can confirm your special bond. Natasha Watson, who works as a vet at Vetfone, spoke to the Daily Mail about the signs that your pooch is obsessed with you. "Dogs have a unique way of expressing their love and affection," she explained. "From wagging their tails to giving you gentle cuddles, their actions speak volumes. "They are very social animals who are great at understanding human emotions and will often learn to mirror them. "By recognising the signs your dog shows to let you know just how much they adore you, you can deepen your bond with your furry companion." WAGGING TAIL If your dogs tail is a blur of wagging when they greet you, this is a sure fire way to tell they love you. A slightly upright side-to-side slow wag may indicate happiness and contentment, according to the canine pro. If you're blessed enough to get a "helicopter" tail - where a dog's tail moves in a rapid, circular motion - then your pooch is more than a little excited to see you. Watch the moment adorable dog makes Crufts history two years after freak accident EYE CONTACT Who among us hasn't stared lovingly into your dog's eyes at one point or another? Dogs who make prolonged eye contact with their owner are said to feel trust and affection in their home. And research has found that when a dog looks at you, it can trigger the release of oxytocin, the "love hormone", in both the dog and the owner. So, if your pooch ever looks at you with gentle eyes, it's a clear sign of their love. 5 PRESENTING WITH TOYS While your dog bringing you a toy might just seem like they want to play, experts say the action is deeper than that. Britain's favourite dog breeds HERE are the top ten dog breeds in the UK.... Labrador Retriever Renowned for their friendly and outgoing nature. Popular as both family pets and working dogs. French Bulldog Known for their distinctive bat-like ears and affectionate temperament. Ideal for city living due to their small size. Cocker Spaniel Beloved for their playful and loyal disposition. Excellent companions for active families. Pug Recognised for their charming wrinkled faces and sociable nature. Adaptable to various living environments. Staffordshire Bull Terrier Valued for their courageous and loving character. Strong and muscular build, yet gentle with children. Dachshund Adored for their distinctive long bodies and lively personality. Comes in a variety of coat types: smooth, wire, and long-haired. Border Collie Celebrated for their intelligence and energy. Excellent working dogs, especially in herding. Golden Retriever Known for their friendly and tolerant attitude. Great family pets and skilled in various service roles. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cherished for their gentle and affectionate nature. Small size makes them perfect for lap dogs. German Shepherd Admired for their loyalty and versatility. Commonly used in police and military roles due to their trainability. According to research carried out by Tesco Insurance, 31% of dog owners report their pooch sharing their toys with them. Most dogs are good judges of character so you can consider it an honour when they share their prized possessions with you. If your furry friend brings you a toy to play with, then it is a sign that they trust and love you, so make sure to play with them! BEING CLOSE 5 Dogs often cuddle into and lean on people they feel the most comfortable with. So don't be offended when your pups pushes at you with their paws, they're simply petting you back. A total of 39% of dog owners report that their dog will give them cuddles and kisses, with 41% confirming this experience when they are upset. Cuddles bring back feelings of maternal closeness and release pheromones that soothe your dog. THEY FOLLOW YOU Have you ever left the room to have your dog immediately follow you as if you are both embarking on an adventure? Well don't worry about dashing their expectations, because they're likely just showing you affection by shadowing you. This behaviour shows they want to be near you and as a pack animal, this is a dog's sign of attachment or loyalty. However, your dog should still be able to have some alone time while at home. PROTECTIVENESS Dogs are naturally protective of those they love, particularly female dogs with maternal instincts. The canine expert explained that if your dog shows signs of guarding you or their home, this can be a sign of affection. They want to keep you safe and are demonstrating loyalty and love. However, make sure to teach your pooch how to correctly interact with strangers too. 'TALKING' TO YOU We've all wondered whether or not our dogs can truly understand what we're saying to them. Canines communicate with their owners in various ways, with vocalisation being one of them. Many dogs have been known to "talk" to their owners with barks or whines to get attention or express emotions. If your dog barks or makes other excited sounds when they see you, it's another a sign of love and attachment. JUMPING UP 5 Dogs are known to jump up when they are excited or looking for attention. But this is also a common way for them to show their affection. When your dog jumps on you, they may be expressing their joy at seeing you or seeking closeness. Similarly, 45% of dog owners say their pet sits on them when they want attention. TRAINING According to the expert, dogs that respond well to recall and commands are often eager to please their owners. While you may wonder if this obedience is simply a way of receiving a treat, this isn't entirely the case says the vet. You pet's willingness to obey shows trust as well as a desire to make you happy. Training helps to strengthen your bond with your dog as they enjoy positive reinforcement and the satisfaction of making you proud. So next time they come back when called or do another trick, make sure to show the same love back to them. MIRRORING EMOTIONS 5 Dogs are known to empathetic creatures and may often mimic their owner's emotions. This, according to the vet, is another sign your pooch loves you. She pointed out that your pet may sense when you're upset or happy and adjust their behaviour accordingly. For example, if you're feeling down, your dog might come and sit by you or offer comfort and if you're excited, your pooch will easily get on board with the elation.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- The Sun
Five terrifying warning signs you're being spied on through your PHONE – how to check if a partner is snooping
Roisin Chapman, Lifestyle Reporter Published: Invalid Date, IF you suspect your partner has been snooping through your phone, these tell-tale signs may help confirm your suspicions. Tech experts have revealed the indicators to look out for to ensure your smart device is secure. 2 Digital pros have revealed the warning signs that might indicate someone has installed spyware on your phone. Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, explained that suspicious activity on your device may point to monitoring software that tracks your messages, calls, and even your location. The expert warned that modern spyware can stay hidden from users while collecting personal data and sending it to third parties. He outlined the top five signs to look out for if you suspect your phone has spyware installed. BATTERY DRAINING FAST If you notice your phone battery no longer lasts a full day without a recharge despite no significant changes in your usage patterns,this could indicate a spy app has been installed on your phone. "Spyware will drain your battery because it's continuously running in the background," Porcar explained. "These monitoring apps never enter sleep mode and they need to constantly maintain active connections to send data to the remote server." According to the expert, this stealth activity uses significant power, ultimately causing your battery to drain much faster than normal. UNEXPECTED PHONE HEATING "Phones become hot when spy applications consume processing resources," Porcor explained. Rather than cooling down when idle, devices with monitoring software installed often remain warm to the touch. WhatsApp is closing down on three mobile devices in hours with users blocked from sending and receiving messages Overheating happens as the spyware makes the processor work harder than necessary during normal operation. "The temperature increase is in most cases a direct result of unauthorised background processes running on your phone," the expert said. INCREASED DATA USAGE Porcar also revealed that unusual data consumption can also reveal hidden monitoring. "Check your data usage statistics in your phone settings," the tech pro advised. Similar to battery consumption, monitoring apps also drain your date as they send collected information to their controllers. This process requires internet connectivity, using your data allowance. "These applications will show up as consuming data in the background, sometimes using substantial amounts if they're sending images or recording audio," Porcar explained. Many people first discover spyware when they receive unexpected data limit warnings from their mobile providers. STRANGE TEXTS OR NOTIFICATIONS "Watch for text messages containing random characters or codes," the tech expert warned. Some basic monitoring apps use SMS commands to control the spyware installed on a device. These might appear briefly before disappearing as the software attempts to go unnoticed by the user. "If you notice messages that arrive and then vanish or see notifications from apps you don't recognise these warrant immediate investigation," he explained. UNUSUAL ACTIVITY WHEN IDLE Another sign that your phone may contain spyware is your device behaving strangely when it should be inactive. "Your screen might light up when you're not using it or you might hear unexpected sounds during calls," Porcar said. According to the pro, this happens because some advanced spyware allows remote activation of device functions including microphones and cameras. "These features allow someone to listen to your conversations or view your surroundings without your knowledge," he added. The expert went on to describe this as "a serious invasion of privacy". To combat this, Porcar recommends performing regular security checks on all devices. "Remove applications you don't recognise, run security scans using trusted software, and check for apps with suspicious permissions," he advised. The digital security expert also noted that it's important to have strong passwords and keep devices physically secure when you are around people. "Never leave your phone unlocked around someone you don't fully trust, and always have a screen lock" he warned. UK law considers unauthorised surveillance of another person's device a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act, with penalties including imprisonment in serious cases. Porcar added that factory resets offer a last resort solution. "If you suspect your device has been compromised and can't resolve the issue yourself, a complete reset will remove most types of spyware," he said. 2
