Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading Standards

16/10/2026

A sparkler!

Families often see sparklers as a relatively safe way to involve young children in the excitement of fireworks events. But that’s not true. Every year they cause children devastating burn injuries.

Sparklers burn hotter than boiling water. They can even burn hot enough to melt some metals.

If you’re going to use sparklers, treat them with caution and remember:

🎇They’re not recommended for children under 5
🎇 Wear gloves and keep the sparkler at arm’s length, as sparks can fly and ignite clothing
🎇 You may want to put the sparkler in a carrot to make it easier to hold
🎇 Only hold one sparkler at a time
🎇 Teach children not to wave sparklers near anyone else or run around while holding them
🎇 Once sparklers are out, put them in a bucket of water as they stay very hot

For more firework safety tips visit: https://capt.org.uk/tips-for-firework-safety/

16/10/2026

⚠️👧 The OPSS warns consumers to stop using pimple popping squishy toys with sharp needles or syringes due to the risk of injury. 👧⚠️

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has told the public to stop using Pimple Popping Squishy toys with needles or syringes with sharp points.

The warning comes after OPSS launched an urgent investigation following reports these dangerous toys have been sold on the UK market.
OPSS has already told online marketplaces to remove any listings of this type from their platforms. They must continue to remove dangerous products from their platforms and warn consumers of the risk.

While many of the products are marketed as ‘adult stress toys’, they clearly fall within the scope of UK Toy Regulations and present a risk of injury to people of all ages including children. The advertised function of the toy is to use a sharp pointed needle or syringe to produce a bubble in the toy or inject a substance for the user to squeeze, pop or burst.

OPSS has issued a number of Product Safety Reports to help consumers identify these toys and is asking anyone who may have one in their home to stop using them immediately.
Needles should be placed in a puncture-resistant container to prevent them from causing injury until they can be disposed of safely.

Access your local authority’s website, or contact your local authority, for guidance on the safe disposal in your area. Your local pharmacy or GP surgery may accept sharps for disposal but please check in advance.

Pimple Popping Squishes - Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls - GOV.UK

15/10/2026

15/10/2026

There’s been a huge increase in roofing scams across Scotland

We asked a roofer who is part of Scotland’s Approved Trader Directory to answer some FAQs about roofing to help consumers make informed decisions and avoid scams

Stay ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Roofing-QA.pdf

06/10/2026

🟣Take Control of the Small Things🟣

Tip 2: Know your consumer rights and who to contact if you need to report a scam or an issue with a trader – save details of helplines.

If you experience a scam, issues with an item or product you have purchased, or any issues with a trader working in your property, support and advice is available.

Read more ➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Take-Control-of-the-Small-Things-Leaflet.pdf

06/10/2026

⚠COUNCIL TAX REBATE EMAIL SCAM ALERT⚠

Trading Standards wants to remind all residents to be wary of a scam email that has been received by a few local residents . The email suggests that a credit has been made to your council tax account. In order to receive these funds you are directed to a credit portal where you will presumably have to provide privileged information such as banking details and/or card details. It is suspected that instead of a credit being made to your account, scammers will remove funds from your account.

Your local authority Council Tax teams would not contact you in this manner, please do the usual checks when you receive a suspicious email and take 5 to stop fraud and follow these steps - STOP, CHALLENGE & PROTECT

Take a moment to STOP and think before parting with any money or providing any personal or financial information.

CHALLENGE – could it be a scam? Phone your local authority to check –

Clackmannanshire Council
☎01259 450000

Stirling Council
☎01786 404040

PROTECT – contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam and report it to Advice Direct Scotland on ☎0808 164 6000.

Let’s all TAKE 5 and be

05/10/2026

Scam TV Licence emails are on the rise. They might:

❌Ask you to make an urgent payment
❌Say you can get a refund or a cheaper licence
❌Show a fake licence number

Be - read more in our bulletin ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/2b628ba59239/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-1-october

05/10/2026

Use this form to quickly tell us about an online ad if you think it might be a scam

05/10/2026

Our weekly bulletin includes information and advice about the latest email, doorstep, phone and cyber scams affecting Scottish consumers

Sign up to receive the bulletin at https://www.tsscot.co.uk/bulletin/

05/10/2026

🟣Take Control of the Small Things🟣

With prices and bills rising, you might feel overwhelmed by financial worries and global events that are out of your control

Every day this week we'll post a simple thing you can do now to help you feel more in control and avoid scams

Read more➡️https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Take-Control-of-the-Small-Things-Leaflet.pdf