Whether you’re going out or staying in over the festive season, we’ve got the ingredients to help make your Christmas a safe and healthy one.
Going out?
Eating out this Christmas? You can check your chosen restaurant’s food hygiene rating before you book. In our borough, 95% of restaurants have a hygiene rating of '3' or above so there’s plenty to choose from.
Look out for the green and black food hygiene rating scheme (FHRS) stickers displayed on windows and doors or check online on the Food Standards Agency's website. You can keep up to date when you’re on the go too with the FHRS app.
Staying in?
Make sure food poisoning doesn’t ruin your festive feast with our top food safety tips:
• Don’t wash your turkey (or other poultry) as it spreads bacteria, and make sure it’s cooked all the way through until the juices run clear of blood.
• Ensure your Christmas bird is properly defrosted - check there’s no ice in the body cavity and that the legs and wings move freely.
• Keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate to avoid cross contamination
• Cool leftovers down quickly and refrigerate immediately. Reheat to a high temperature (piping hot) and eat within three days.
For more food safety tips visit the Food Safety section of our website.
Use a licenced taxi
If you are getting into a taxi or mini cab, make sure it’s licensed. You can easily tell by checking that the vehicle has Council-issued identity plates and that the driver is wearing a photo identity badge. Put the phone number of a reputable taxi firm you know and trust into your mobile phone address book.
The must-have app
You can keep within your limits while enjoying a festive drink with a great app from the Change 4 Life website which helps you keep an eye on how much you’re drinking. It also tells you how many calories are in each drink and how much you’re spending.
To download the app and see more of the tools available, visit the Change 4 Life website.
Alcohol unfortunately contributes to increases in domestic abuse and public place violent crimes. If you are worried about your safety with your partner, remember you can call ESDAS (East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services) for support and advice on 01737 771350 or the Surrey Domestic Abuse 24-hour Helpline, 01483 776822
Overspent? Take back control
If you find you’ve overspent, or are having trouble paying your bills, contact your creditors as soon as possible and seek independent advice.
Community Debt Advice offer free, confidential advice to help residents in the Redhill area with their money problems. Visit Community Debt Advice online or call them on 01737 887558.
Citizens Advice Bureaux provide free debt advice by phone and face to face from premises in Banstead, Horley and Redhill. Find out more on the local Citizens Advice website or phone 08444 111 444.
Surrey Save Credit Union offers a fair affordable alternative to high-cost lenders for people living or working in Surrey. They are a not for profit community bank offering competitive savings accounts and flexible loans with no early repayment penalties. Visit Surrey Save's website or call 01932 339290.
