F

• Fair Oak Landfill Study - 2007

• Fireworks

• Fireworks and animals

• Fireworks - Noise
• Fleas - in the home/office
• Fleas and tics - on animals
• Food Safety at Christmas
• Food, Halloween & Bonfire Night
• Food - Safe2eat website
• Food Alerts
• Food Safety - Complaints
• Food Safety - be safe in your kitchen
• Food Poisoning
• Food Premises Inspections
• Food Premises Registration
• Food Safety Information Points 
• Food Sampling
• Food Safety Service Plan
• Food Safety Training
• The 4C's of Food Safety
• A - Z of Food Safety
• Foxes

Fireworks

• The noise effects of fireworks will affect neighbours up to 100 metres away. Inform your neighbours of your intention to have a fireworks party.

• Try to light the fireworks as early as possible to avoid disturbing those who are trying to sleep.

• Keep the fireworks away from your neighbour's property and direct them into open space rather than at other properties.

• Keep party noise to a minimum and ensure guests leave as quietly as possible at the end of the evening.

• Do not use large aerial fireworks, which are the noisiest.

Noise from fireworks

If the fireworks parties occur regularly from one property the Service may be able to take action against the occupier.

If you make a complaint you will need to identify the property causing the disturbance.

An officer will then write to the alleged offender, informing them that a complaint has been received (your details will remain confidential).

If the fireworks continue, the Council may take action in cases where a 'statutory nuisance' is confirmed.

In some circumstances the Council will be unable to take action and private action in the Magistrates Court will be advised.  More information on this method of action is available from the Environmental Health Service on request.

If you are planning a fireworks party you should also consider the following health and safety guidelines:-

• Keep your fireworks in a safe place, such as a closed metal or wooden container away from sources of heat, naked flames and other sources of ignition.

• Do not smoke in the vicinity of the fireworks.

• Keep children and pets away from fireworks.

• For more information on animals and fireworks please read our information leaflet or read our Animal pages

• Do not use fireworks in adverse weather conditions, such as strong winds.

• Light the fireworks at arms length.

• If a firework does not go off, do not return to it until you are sure it is safe to do so.

Useful sites to visit about fireworks:-

• www.dti.gov.uk/fireworks
• http://www.fireworksafety.co.uk/
• http://www.nsca.org.uk/
• http://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/fireworks

Or, if you require further information about fireworks please contact us

Fireworks and animals

Fact - Most people enjoy fireworks

Fact - Most animals don't

Please read our advice leaflet for further information on how to look after your pets on Bonfire Night and any other time they are frightened by fireworks.   For information from the RSPCA please check their website - once on the RSPCA website click on Campaigns and select Fireworks.

Fleas in the home/office

• Telephone - 023 8068 8447 - there is an answerphone on this number which is checked on a regular basis.

Fleas and tics on animals

Autumn is the time when fleas and tics are particularly prevalent on animals. 

Dogs can suffer tapeworm infestation if they inadvertantly ingest fleas while grooming and tics can occasionally cause Lyme Disease in dogs and humans.

It is advisable to treat your dog and cat for fleas and tics on a regular basis.  Treatments can be obtained from your vetinary surgery.

Further information on fleas and tics and their treatment can be found at www.responsiblepetlovers.co.uk

Food Safety at Christmas

For information about storing and cooking your food at this time of year see our information sheet.

BBQ's - Charred doesn’t mean well done

Even if meat is burnt on the outside, it might not be cooked properly on the inside.  So cook food evenly over a steady heat and always check that it’s cooked in the middle.

Use the oven

If you’re barbecuing for lots of people, you could cook meat in the oven and finish it off on the barbecue for added flavour (but make sure it’s piping hot all the way through).

Keep food cool in warm weather

Warm weather is perfect for bugs to grow.  So, try to keep food out of the fridge for the shortest time possible.

How can I make sure barbecued food is properly cooked?

• Wait until the charcoal is glowing red, with a powdery grey surface, before you start to cook.
• Make sure frozen food is properly thawed before you cook it.
• Turn the food regularly, and move it around the barbecue, to cook it evenly.
• Check that the food is piping hot all the way through.
• Make sure there isn’t any pink meat left in poultry, pork, burgers, sausages and kebabs, and that any juices run clear.

Why should I keep raw meat away from other food?

• Raw meat can contain food poisoning bugs.  So if it touches food that has already been cooked or is ready to eat (such as salad and burger buns), the bugs can spread onto that food.  Here’s how you can stop the bugs spreading:

• Stop raw meat from touching or dripping onto other food.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.
• Use separate utensils for raw and cooked meat.
• Never put cooked food on a plate or surface that has been used for raw meat (unless it has been washed thoroughly).
• Don’t put raw meat products next to cooked or partially cooked meat on the barbecue 

We have a wide range of leaflets available on food safety.  These are available by emailing Environmental Health Direct on:  eh@eastleigh.gov.uk, or alternatively you can ask to speak to someone in Environmental Health by telephoning Eastleigh Borough Council on: 023 8068 8000.

Food

All food businesses in the Council’s area are now part of the ‘safe2eat’ scheme, an initiative which will eventually involve most  Hampshire Councils. The scheme is designed to help people find out how good the food hygiene standards are for the Borough’s restaurants, take-aways, pubs, supermarkets and other shops selling or serving food. 

Ratings are given following inspection of the business by Environmental Health staff and are based on the hygiene practices of the business, their food safety management procedures and the structural conditions of the premises.  Businesses are rated excellent, satisfactory or unsatisfactory and are given a certificate which they can display if they wish.

To look up the rating of a food business or for further information visit -  www.safe2eat.com/eastleigh  

Food Alerts

Food  Alerts are issued by the Food Standards Agency to inform the public, local authorities and food businesses about problems associated with food.

There are two types of Food Alert:-

• Food Alerts that require action
• Food Alerts for information only

Environmental Health Officers receive the alerts and may visit food businesses to ensure any suspect food is removed from sale.  Food Alerts are often issued in conjunction with a product withdrawal or recall by a manufacturer, retailer or distributor.

See a list of current Food Alerts

For further information please contact us

Food Safety

Complaints

Complaints about the description of food should be referred to the Trading Standards Officer on 0845 603 0081 or check their website http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/

• Be safe in your kitchen - check out the 4C's
• Mobile Food Vendors Guidance pdf  

1. to prevent the spread of infection

2. to try and identify the source of the illness

 

For more information on infectious diseases/food poisoning read our Infectious Disease page

 

Food Premises Registration

• a twice annual food and safety newsletter sent to all food  businesses in the Borough.

•  Barbecues
•  Cooked meats
•  Doner Kebabs
•  Food sampling
• Mobile Food Vendors Guidance pdf  

You can also obtain other advice notes from:-

 Food Standards Agency (FSA)  

If you would like any of these please click on the link or call us and we will send you a copy.

Food Safety Information Points

These are located in:-

• Asda, Chandler's Ford
• Sainsburys, Eastleigh
• Sainsburys, Hedge End

and for trade customers:-

• Bookers, Eastleigh

Here you can get hold of various leaflets or view the latest information on food safety.

Food Safety Service Plan

Food Safety Training

Training in food safety is essential for all food handlers.  Please see list of Food Safety Training Providers in Hampshire if you need training either for yourself or your staff.

The '4C's' of Food Safety

Make a resolution this year to reduce the number of bacteria in your kitchen by following the 4C's. pdf

• The Government, food and drink manufacturers, retailers, local authorities and many other organisations give lots of advice on food safety. 

• This A-Z is a summary of that advice. It suggests some of the important steps everyone can take to keep food safe from the time it is bought until it is eaten.
• Make sure you follow food safety advice at all times.

• Harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria and Campylobacter can cause food poisoning.

• These - and other germs - cannot be seen and multiply very quickly - especially at warm temperatures. In the right conditions, one bacterium can become ONE MILLION bacteria in less than seven hours! Cleanliness and temperature controls help keep bacteria at bay.

• Unless they are supposed to be cooked from frozen make sure you thoroughly defrost all foods before cooking (24 Hours per 5 Kilos is a good rule of thumb)

• Keep fridges and freezers clean - at the correct temperature - and defrost regularly
• Store foods separately in covered containers, or properly wrapped. Put raw foods below cooked foods so that they can't drip onto other foods.
• Full fridges are harder to keep cold, so avoid over stacking.
• Always defrost frozen foods thoroughly before cooking, unless the cooking instructions state otherwise.

•   going to the loo,
•   changing nappies,
•   blowing your nose,
•   combing your hair,
•   touching raw food,
•   touching pets,
•   handling waste.

• Obey them at all times!
• Check "use by" and "best before" dates on food and drink labels.
• ·Follow storage, preparation and cooking instructions.
• Take note of special instructions for microwavable foods.
• If safety seals have been broken before you open the packaging return the product to the retailer or manufacturer.

 

• ·Germs love to hide in jewellery.
• Take off ornate rings and bracelets before preparing food to avoid germs (or jewellery!) getting into food. That's the rule in the food factory - it makes sense to do the same at home.

•  Keep it clean!
• Wash all surfaces, utensils, chopping boards and cloths thoroughly after use.
• Keep raw and cooked foods apart.
• Germs can spread fast in your kitchen - cleanliness helps keep them down.

• Don't leave left-overs out. Keep them covered to avoid contamination.
• Put cold foods back in the fridge at once. Let hot foods cool (for around an hour) before putting them in the fridge. Store them above raw foods.
• Eat all left-overs within 2 days.

• Store raw meat, poultry and fish at the bottom of the fridge, in covered containers.
• Wash utensils and chopping boards after use and before contact with cooked foods.
•  Ideally, use separate boards and utensils for raw meats.
• Defrost meat completely before cooking - take extra care with poultry.
• Follow manufacturers' instructions for poultry, sausages, mince and burgers. Cook them until the juices run clear and no pink bits remain.

• Food safety is important so take it seriously. Failure to follow safe procedures can make people very ill.

• Wipe clean the tops of cans then open with care.
• Don't leave food in open cans.
• Store unused foods in covered containers in the fridge and eat within 2 days.
• Dispose of empty cans safely.
• Clean the can opener after use.

• That's how cooked food should be, especially when it's reheated. Leave microwaved food for the recommended standing time after heating and check it is piping hot throughout before serving. 
• Never reheat food more than once.

• Cover rubbish bins and empty them often.
• Throw away food if it:
• looks, smells or tastes off,
• is damaged or its texture has changed,
• has passed its "use by" date,
• has been contaminated by insects, birds, pests or pets.

• Store foods properly.
• Follow any storage advice given on food labels.
• Keep all storage shelves clean, cool and dry.
• Use up older items first (first in, first out0.
• If in doubt - throw it out.

•   Fridge: keep the coldest part at no more than 5C.
•   Freezer: minus 18C or below.

• Don't sneeze or cough near foods.
• Cover cuts on hands with waterproof dressings. Keep your germs to yourself.

• Wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly before cooking.
• Take particular care when washing fruit and vegetables if they're going to be eaten raw.
• Always use a clean chopping board and knife when cutting them up.

• Wash up all utensils as soon as possible after use. Use hot water with washing up liquid and change water regularly.
• Rinse with clean, hot water and preferably leave to drain.
• Clean sink and taps throughly after every use.
• If you have a dishwasher use the right amount of salt and detergent and keep the filter and all surfaces clean.

• Food can easily be contaminated with bacteria from other foods, people, kitchen equipment, inspects, pests and pets.
• Cleanliness and keeping foods separate helps stop cross-contamination and reduces the risk of food poisoning.

• Food poisoning can be more serious for the young the sick, the elderly and pregnant women. They need special care.
• Keep food preparation areas extra clean and be strict on personal hygiene - yours and theirs.

• those germs!

• Keep foods at the right temperature and limit the time between preparation and eating.

• Keep everything clean to avoid cross-contamination.

Foxes

The Pest Control Service does not provide any treatment for problems with foxes.  The following website will provide information and advice:-

www.thefoxwebsite.org