UPDATE

Information update: The Fire and Rescue Service has issued advice for residents concerned about foam from the Buncefield Oil Depot fire. The foam is non-hazardous, made up of 97% water and air. It breaks up naturally over a period of hours.

However:

• Avoid making contact with foam wherever possible, especially with the skin, eyes and mouth
• Don't ingest foam
• In case of contact with foam, wash it away immediately with warm water.
• If necessary contact your GP or NHS Direct.
• Please avoid calling fire control where possible regarding this issue

Advice for residents concerned about slippery surfaces in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley:

• Some roads in Abbots Langley and Kings Langley have become slippery as a result of foam concentrate being broken up by natural weather conditions.
• These slippery surfaces are not a health hazard, however pedestrians and motorists are advised to be cautious.
• It is believed that rain should wash foam concentrate away in the next few hours

When will I be able to get back into my property?

Police have been facilitating escorted visits to properties inside the cordoned-off area should anyone have an urgent need to access items. As the fire comes under control and the area around Buncefield Oil Depot is made safe, there will be a gradual lifting of the cordons to allow people back to their properties, providing it is safe to do so.

If your utilities are not working properly

Utility services (electricity, gas, water, phone lines etc) may not be fully functioning when people return to their properties. Dacorum Borough Council is working closely with utility providers to restore these services as soon as possible.

If you have any damage to homes or contents following the Buncefield oil fire:-

Buildings damage

• Council property buildings insurance schemes:
  You should contact Dacorum BC’s Insurance Unit (see below) if you:
  * are a residential leaseholder (ex-Council-owned flats)
  * lease commercial/industrial property from Dacorum BC
• Private buildings insurance:
  You should contact your own insurers if you own your own house. Anyone who owns an ex-Council flat should contact Dacorum BC’s Insurance Unit (see below).
• Council Tenants:
  Please call the Housing repairs line on: 0800 018 6050

Contents damage

• Council tenants:
  If you are in the Tenants’ Home Contents Scheme, you can contact Robins Response (our loss adjusters) direct, quoting your policy number:
  Andrew Merrell 01274 334847
  Paula Smith 01274 334853
  
  If you prefer, or if you do not know your policy number, you can contact Dacorum BC’s Insurance Unit (see below). This scheme covers internal decoration damage and glass removal from carpets, as well as damage to possessions.
  
• Private house- and flat-owners and commercial leaseholders
  Contact your own insurers.
  
  As a gesture of goodwill, TOTAL UK has launched a repair and assistance line for residents and businesses so that agreed, urgent repairs can be made to enable people to return to their homes and offices. The number is 0800 294 4250 and it will be open from 9am - 7pm Monday to Friday.

Other insurance-related queries regarding your council home, ex-Dacorum BC flat or commercial property leased from Dacorum should be sent to Linda Dargue (see below.)

Dacorum Borough Council - Insurance Unit contact details:

Call 0800 018 60 50 or

Linda Dargue 01442 228320 linda.dargue@dacorum.gov.uk
Laura Bunting 01442 228960 laura.bunting@dacorum.gov.uk
Karen Muskett 01442 228150 karen.muskett@dacorum.gov.uk

Watch out for Rogue Traders!

Trading Standards know from past experience that at times of crisis, like now, there are always those who look to take advantage of the situation for their own ends. So we would offer the following advice:

First "are you covered by your insurance";

• Make sure you read your policy.
• If you believe you are covered then contact your insurance company to see if there are any special circumstances you need to follow before getting repairs carried out.
• Make a note of who you spoke to at the insurance company, and when.
• Take photographs of any damage before any work is carried out, if possible.

Do not accept the help of a doorstep trader just because of these difficult times. You may still be ripped off. Make sure you follow the checks (outlined further below) as normal.

If you have a situation already and want to know where you stand, there are a number of options;

Ring Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
Opening hours are:08.00 - 18.30 Monday to Friday (09.00 - 13.00 Saturday)

If your issue is too complex your details will be passed to the Trading Standards Department for additional advice / action. By textphone: 0845 128 1384 (for people with hearing or speech difficulties)

Doorstep Hotline: A hotline to help people targeted by doorstep tricksters has been set up as part of a regional campaign. Hertfordshire Trading Standards has joined forces with organisations across the Eastern region to create a dedicated phone line aiming to beat rogue workmen and salesmen. The number to call is 0845 60 444 66

Checks to consider before entering into a contract with a trader.

• Are they a member of a trade association.
• Ring trade association and check claim of membership.
• Check you are being told the truth. You may not need those ‘urgent’ repairs.
• Use reputable traders wherever possible. Get recommendations from friends or from trade associations.
• Shop around. Never buy goods or services unless you are sure they are at least as good value as those which can be obtained from established traders.
• Before agreeing work, get a full quotation listing exactly what is to be carried out.
• Never sign anything unless you have read it through and understand it.
• Don’t enter into a deal with a trader unless you have a name and address where you know you can contact them should anything go wrong.
• Only pay for goods or services if you are satisfied.
• Always get a written receipt.

DO check the identity of the caller by asking to see an id card.
DO challenge anyone looking over your property – did you give permission?
DO consider if you really need the work done. Think before you decide. Shop around for the best deal.
DO ask the caller to leave you with the information to study at your leisure.
DO remember you should be given a right to cancel a contract after "cold calling".

DON’T believe all callers are genuine.
DON’T believe the "scare stories" a salesman may tell you – they are rarely true.
DON’T believe genuine tarmac companies have "loads over" they don’t!
DON’T believe a cash deal is easier and cheaper.
DON’T sign anything or pay for anything until you are sure about it.

Health advice

The Health Protection Agency and Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority have issued the following health advice:-

The fire produced a large plume of smoke rising above the town and dispersing in the direction of London and the south east of England. The general health advice for people in the Hemel Hempstead area continues to be ‘stay in doors, keep windows closed and tune into local media for further updates’.

Air quality testing has not shown significant pollution from the fire and therefore the risk to health is low but, as a precaution, residents are advised to follow the existing advice. Local health services have been on standby but have not seen increased numbers of people suffering from breathing problems, which would be associated with an incident of this kind.

Those most at risk from inhalation of smoke particles are people with existing respiratory problem such as asthma or chronic bronchitis or cardiac problems. People in these categories should be especially vigilant. If they see smoke or there are soot particles on windowsills or external surfaces they should stay indoors with windows and doors closed. Any air conditioning should either be switched off or set to internal re-circulation until the fire is brought under control. If you feel unwell, and you think it is related to the incident, please contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 in the first instance. In the event of prolonged or significant symptoms the advice of a GP or local Accident & Emergency Department should be sought. People with asthma or angina should contact NHS Direct for further advice if they are concerned.

If people are affected, mostly it will produce immediate effects such as coughing or a tight chest. These symptoms usually disappear very soon once exposure to the smoke or ash has ceased and does not lead to any long-term health problems.

For general health advice people should contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

What about the effects of the plume of smoke?

When the fire is completely put out, soot from the smoke will fall to the ground. While it is falling, it is essential that people stay indoors with windows closed to minimize exposure to any possible risk to health. Once the soot is on the ground, the risk is very much lower but continue to take extra care if you suffer from any respiratory problems.

To clean up your home you need to use water and normal cleaning materials.

Washing left on a washing line and exposed to the air should be re-washed. Any fruit or vegetables which have been grown or stored outside should be washed thoroughly and peeled before eating. If you have any doubt about food do not eat it. Further advice may be found on the Health Protection Agency website at www.hpa.org.uk

The Clear Up Operation

Dacorum Borough Council will be leading a street clearing operation and will be able to assist residents in disposing of property that was damaged as a result of the explosion.

Any chunks of foam found on your premises should be left alone to disintegrate. Please do not let children play near it as they may put it in their mouths or eyes. If the foam comes into contact with skin, then the area should be rinsed well with cold water. If you have any queries please call 01442 228666.

Advice for parents and schools

All Hertfordshire schools will reopen from Wednesday (December 14) other than those which were significantly damaged by the blast (details of which can be found at www.hertsdirect.org).

Health experts have agreed that as long as the fire is extinguished, it will be safe for schools to reopen. We have been working towards reopening but the safety of children and young people has been paramount and we have followed health guidance.

If the situation changes and schools have to close again for any reason, parents will be informed via local radio and details will be published on the Herts direct website (address below) or call the county council's Children, Schools & Families line on 01438 737500 (or 01923 471500 if calling from 01923 or 0208 area codes).

Libraries

Libraries (except for Abbots Langley) are due to reopen from Wednesday December 14.

Day Centres

All Hertfordshire County Council day centres, except for Greenhills in Hemel Hempstead, will be open from Wednesday December 14. For further up to date information please visit www.hertsdirect.org , listen to local radio or call the county council’s Adult Care Services line on 01438 737400 (or 01923 471400 if dialing from 01923 and 0208 area codes) or textphone 01438 737599 01438.

Helpline and support

For general help and advice, anyone affected by the Buncefield Oil Depot explosion can contact the Dacorum Borough Council's helpline on 01923 471335.

Operators will be able to give you direct advice or guidance on a number of issues or can put you in touch with an agency that can help you.

It is natural to grieve or feel shocked, worried or distressed when something terrible happens. If it is hard for you to cope, your GP, health services, counseling services or voluntary organisations can help you with advice and support.

The following organisations may be able to help you:

British Association for Counselling (BAC) Tel: 0870 443 5252 Web: www.bacp.co.uk	The British Red Cross Tel: 01992 586609
Trauma After-Care Trust Helpline Tel: 0800 169 6814 (freephone)	Trauma After-Care Trust Helpline Tel: 0800 169 6814 (freephone)
Childline Tel: 0800 1111 (children’s line)

If you want to find out more about coping with shock and stress or any aspect of Adult Care Services in Hertfordshire please contact our customer service centre on 01438 737400 (or 01923 471400 if dialing from 01923 and 0208 area codes) or textphone 01438 737599.

The centre is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm on Saturday.

What’s happening with my post?

Residents and business who do not have access to their premises can collect their mail from the Royal Mail sorting office in Park Lane (up behind Blockbuster video store).

Useful websites/contacts

www.hertsdirect.org

Every Hertfordshire library has free internet access for the public.
Hertfordshire County Council
Trading Standards, Adult Care Services, Children Schools and Families, Libraries
01992 555555

www.dacorum.gov.uk

for updates on the process of re-opening the Maylands area and for general information and advice for residents and businesses

www.hpa.org.uk

Health Protection Agency – for further health advice.