Episode 5 X-Ray

Why are you walking away?

In every corner of Wales...

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This is X-Ray.

On tonight's programme...

How young is too young to get your hair coloured?

The guidelines say it's not for children.

We go undercover to put salons to the test.

Trick or treat?

Do you know what's in the latest sweets your kids want to eat?

I've never checked a label on sweets in my life.

I don't think twice.

But now I wonder whether I should.

And what you need to know about keeping safe this Halloween.

Hello, welcome to the programme.

Tonight, we're at one of Wales' most haunted homes,

Newton House, and later in the programme, we're going to be doing

some trick or treating of our own,

finding out whether people in nearby Llandeilo

know the dos and don'ts of keeping safe this Halloween.

First though, whilst some of us will be going for

super-bright locks tomorrow, for many people,

dying their hair is something that happens all year round.

But as Rachel has been finding out,

hair dye can have hidden dangers.

There are some shocking pictures in this report.

-ARCHIVE:

-Her hair sparkles with fresh, radiant colour...

We've been colouring our hair

with commercially made dyes for decades.

And with celebrities leading the way,

many of us will change hair colour at the drop of a hat.

But with hair dyeing comes risk.

These students are learning how to do it properly.

But whilst all manufacturers say that

their products are safe to use if the instructions

are followed, there are dangers.

Sammi Ford has died her own hair for years.

She loves experimenting with different colours.

I've dyed my hair quite a few times before.

So I've been a green, blue, blonde.

I've had so many different hair and styles and colours

and, yeah, I like it. Well, I did.

In March this year, things went badly wrong.

I just dyed my hair as normal,

rinsed it off till the water had ran clear.

Came back down the stairs and then,

within half an hour, my head was itching.

And probably about an hour, two hours after,

I sort of had a burning, itching at the sides and round here.

My ears had started to swell up.

And it just got progressively worse from there.

It was soon obvious she was having a severe allergic reaction.

It was really frightening. I was scared.

I didn't want to look in the mirror. I didn't even recognise myself.

After the swelling went down, she was left coping with

painful sores for weeks, before making a full recovery.

But if Sammi had taken a patch test, it could have been avoided.

Manufacturers state a patch test must be carried out

48 hours before hair is dyed.

This is for home dye kits and dyes used by

professionals in hair salons.

The hairdressers' own federation goes further, saying

allergy testing is a must for every salon.

In patch tests, a small amount of the product is put onto

the skin and left for 48 hours.

It's a strong indication as to whether the user may react or not.

Donna has been a hairdresser for almost 30 years.

She always carries out the test,

but does come under pressure from customers to skip it.

On a weekly basis, you'll have somebody walk in who wants a colour

today or tomorrow.

They haven't got time for a 48-hour patch or skin test

to check that they're going to be OK.

And you have to turn them away.

Worryingly, Donna has also seen a rise in the number of

customers reacting to the skin test.

We are used to seeing normally perhaps one reaction a year.

But certainly since May this year, we've seen three.

And it's quite scary, it's quite frightening to think that,

had that service been carried out without

them having had that skin test, then you can just imagine

what could have happened to them.

And if that happens with adults,

small wonder there's added protection for children.

The industry's own guidelines say that no salons should

dye the hair of under-16s.

Later in the programme we go undercover

to find out if hairdressers are sticking to the rules

and why one of the industry's leaders is horrified.

I cannot tell you how incensed I am.

I cannot articulate that.

We are trying to become ambassadors,

to raise the professionalism of the hair industry,

and then I get shown this.

I'm appalled.

Yes, some shocking revelations to come.

Now, if you're looking forward to dressing up for Halloween tomorrow,

and, of course, there's Bonfire Night at the weekend,

you're going to want to make sure that you and your family are safe.

In recent years, horror stories about flammable costumes

have hit the press, and this year there are warnings about the dangers

of cosmetic contact lenses.

Time to put visitors here and people in Llandeilo to the test.

Welcome to our Halloween horrors quiz.

And our first question...

-I would hope so.

-I would assume so.

If it had that mark on it.

Yeah, I would trust that it's safe,

but I don't actually know what CE stands for.

The CE marking has been around for a long time so I would

say it is safe, yeah.

I don't know what it means, but I would assume it meant it's safe.

I have seen it.

Question two...

If they're made in the UK, and they look like that,

with the packaging, I would have thought yes.

I guess...yes?

Yeah, probably an opticians, but, yeah,

not in just your joke shops.

I've seen them for sale in the market in Carmarthen and that, yeah.

-So you think that's legal?

-Yeah.

And here's the last question...

Yes, I think...

Hmm.

On Bonfire Night, I think it is illegal to set them off.

I think it still is, yeah.

-Yes.

-It should be, anyway.

Yes.

I think you are allowed to set off fireworks.

-After 11 o'clock?

-After 11 clock, possibly.

-Until what time, do you reckon?

-Possibly midnight?

All will be revealed later in the programme.

Still to come...

They chose identical trucks to help them build their business,

but these partners say their Ford Rangers have let them down.

We can't do our job without these cars.

And we just keep getting them back and getting them back

and they're not right.

Like it or loathe it,

trick or treating is a big part of Halloween.

But how confident can you be that the sweets

your children collect on the doorstep

or buy in the shops are safe to eat?

# I press my nose against the pane

# Of the little toffee shop. #

I don't know about you, but I'm a bit of a sweetie monster,

and seeing treats like these take me right back to my childhood.

But times have moved on and although traditional,

locally-made sweets like these are still being enjoyed, more and more

shops are selling sweets imported from across the Atlantic.

American sweets are increasingly popular in the UK.

But to create those eye-catching colours, manufacturers

sometimes use food colourings we in the UK are quite wary about.

Six popular food colourings are known as the Southampton Six

because, back in 2007, scientists at Southampton University

identified a link between those colours

and hyperactivity in children.

Their research hit the headlines

and there was talk of banning them altogether.

The appealingly named Sunset Yellow is

one of three shades of this colour on the naughty list.

There are also three shades of red with equally

exotic names like Allura Red.

Labelling on imported sweets must comply with UK/EU law.

The American names and numbers for colours just won't do.

Labelling must use the E number and correct name for the colour.

And if any of the Southampton Six are present,

this warning must be used.

Kids seem to be the biggest fans of the latest trend in imported sweets,

so I'm meeting up with my son and his friends

to find out what they like.

So what are your favourites? Will, what's your favourite?

-Toxic waste.

-Toxic waste!

That sounds disgusting.

-Brain blasters.

-How often do you have sweeties?

-I don't know.

-You don't know?

How often would you like to have sweeties?

-Every ten minutes.

-But will Mummy let you?

-No.

-No, I bet.

So how do you feel after you've had quite a lot of sweets?

Do they have an effect on you at all, do you think?

-Yeah, you go hyper.

-Do you?

-Do you run around?

-Yeah, probably.

I wonder if the other mums have concerns.

Time to catch up with Sara Johnson and Anne Thomas.

Now, obviously our kids are going to eat sweets from time to time,

aren't they? Sometimes quite often.

Does it worry you about the ingredients?

Do you check the labels?

No, never.

I've never checked a label on sweets in my life, actually.

I don't think twice.

But now I wonder whether I should.

I have to say, I'm the same. I very rarely check the labels.

-Do you?

-Well, I do.

I don't like the boys having blue sweets, because I just think

that it's synthetic.

Now, I don't know, I always think that

it's very much to do with hyperactivity in kids, and I've got

busy enough kids as it is - I don't want them hyperactive!

How does it make you feel if I tell you that

there are some sweets that are on the market being sold

with illegal labelling?

It's slightly worrying, isn't it? Let's be honest.

I'd like to think I know what I'm buying.

You'd read the label in good faith, wouldn't you?

We know some children can be affected by certain food colourings,

and the Discovery Centre in Pontypridd specialises in

diagnosing children with ADHD.

ADHD is around focus, concentration, hyperactivity, impulsivity.

So what does that mean for the parents?

You've got a busy child who won't sit still,

who's running around, who may act impulsively.

How clear is the link between these six food colourings

and ADHD in children?

We know that some children are more sensitive to food colourings

than others, and they may not necessarily have ADHD.

But what we know - about one in three kids with ADHD have

some effect, if they have some of the colourings,

on their behaviour.

We don't really know why, but we understand

that they can become more hyperactive and impulsive.

Well, we've been shopping, and we've bought a selection

of imported sweets, and there are huge variations on the labelling.

What about those?

Well, these are from America so they've got American system,

which is different, so we don't have E numbers.

We've got red, yellow, turmeric colour, beeswax...

It's a completely different labelling system.

So even though they were bought in the UK,

if I was to look at these, I would be very confused,

because it doesn't look like the EU/UK labelling system.

And it is illegal not to have the correct labelling on a food product.

It is, which is highly surprising.

We've got such a variation here, we really do.

And we've got some that really just say "colour".

So that doesn't tell me anything.

-That's going to be no use to parents at all, is it?

-Completely.

And how concerned are you by the variation that we see here?

I'm amazed, honestly. I really didn't think that the labelling

would be so variable or no labels or different labels.

And I didn't think there would be such inconsistency.

So I'm really surprised.

So it's up to you.

If you want to keep an eye on what your kids are eating,

there's only one thing to do -

check the labels for the Southampton Six.

Now, earlier we asked people here at Newton House and in Llandeilo

how much they knew about Halloween safety.

Our first question...

Well, Steve, you're the expert. What's the answer?

Well, the simple answer to that question, Lucy, is yes.

If it does have a CE mark it is safe, but only to some extent.

All fancy dress outfits and Halloween costumes comply with

European toy safety regulations, which is not quite as stringent as

with regular children's clothing.

Some of the manufacturers now are doing additional testing to their

clothing, which is something I'd always recommend looking out for

if you are looking for an outfit for a child.

But it's still important to remember the clothing could still

catch fire if it was affected by a direct, naked flame.

So the most important thing to remember with children

is to keep them away from any naked flame at any time.

Our next question...

Here's optometrist Frank Maloney.

No, contact lenses should only be bought

from a registered optometrist.

The reason for this is that it ensures the quality of the product

you have, but also ensures the advice you're getting

is sound advice and keeps you safe during the party season,

as well as just Halloween.

And our final question...

-Is it, Steve?

-For most nights of the year, Lucy, it would be illegal.

But Bonfire Night is one of the few exceptions we have during the year.

The others being New Year, Diwali and Chinese New Year, where you can

set fireworks until midnight.

We'd always recommend that people attend professionally run,

public displays, as generally they're a lot better value for money

and also a lot safer.

If you are, however, having a firework party at your home,

we'd recommend you follow the firework code,

which should be included in all fireworks purchased.

We want everybody to have a great time this firework night,

but we want you to do it safely.

Great advice, Steve, thank you.

Next - Omar's been to meet two best friends,

who are experiencing identical problems.

Business partners Rob Morris and John Bater from Caerphilly

met as teenagers and they've been best mates ever since.

As they both work in construction, setting up a company together

seemed an obvious choice.

Putting my skills together and Rob's skills together,

it was the natural thing to do in the end, I suppose.

-We've been together, five years, is it?

-Yeah.

And for their tough work, they needed tough vehicles.

So they set their sights on one of the industry's

favourite pick-up trucks -

the Ford Ranger.

Very spacious, we carry a lot of tools in the back.

We also use it for towing our plant, small machines, around as well.

And just weekends away with family,

they're perfect for us, to be honest.

Two years ago, the entrepreneurial duo bit the bullet and leased

two Ford Rangers on non-maintenance business leases.

At first, they were ideal.

But last year, John's pick-up developed a problem -

the engine kept cutting out.

Approaching a set of traffic lights down in Swansea,

and the car just cut out.

First time it's ever happened to me.

Coming towards traffic lights, the car in front of me.

-You've got your family in the car, your parents in the car.

-Yeah.

Driving towards the traffic light and then, suddenly, nothing.

It must have been scary.

What goes through your mind when that happens?

Just panic, to be honest.

If it was ten yards in front, anything could have happened.

At first, John assumed it was just a one-off.

The but before long, it was happening almost every time

he got in his pick-up truck.

The partners had signed non-maintained car leases

with Lex Autolease.

So with no replacement pick-up on offer, John took his Ranger

to his local Ford dealer, Evans Halshaw in Treforest,

to see if it could be repaired under his Ford warranty.

After two weeks, the car was returned to me saying

they couldn't find a fault.

And then it just got more persistent.

Every morning, it'd start for a bit, but it will do it as well,

just driving along, midday, in the evening, it will stop.

And, as with so much in life, John wasn't facing this problem alone.

Shockingly, Rob says the engine in his Ford Ranger

also starting cutting out unexpectedly.

You lose almost all of your steering.

There's no power steering. You're not in control.

You've got no brakes. It's dangerous.

John says he's brought his car in here, to Evans Halshaw, five times.

And each time, they told him the car was absolutely fine.

Rob says he's brought it in four times,

and once they did find an engine fault.

They told him it was fixed, but for both of the guys,

the problems still continue.

We asked vehicle safety examiner Gareth to try and detect the fault.

So, we've got quite a lot of sharp turns there.

I know that's sometimes when John has a problem with it.

-How were those turns?

-Yeah, fine.

This seems quite responsive.

It's operating as I'd expect it to.

There's a lot of oncoming traffic,

so this would be quite a worrying time for it to cut out.

It certainly would.

It would be quite concerning, that would, wouldn't it?

But after a hour's driving, the intermittent problem with

the engine just hasn't happened.

Nevertheless, Gareth is still very concerned.

You've reported a number of incidents where this vehicle has

just been losing its power.

So that's dangerous, because when it's stopping suddenly,

you're not putting your foot on the brake,

hence there's no brake lights, anybody coming behind you,

they're not getting any warning whatsoever, so there's the chance

of a collision from behind.

With the loss of power steering and the foot brake,

obviously, negotiating corners and roundabouts, that's dangerous.

With Evans Halshaw seemingly unable to find a fault,

Gareth recommends that the partners ask Lex Autolease

for an extended road test.

That will allow an expert more time to experience the fault.

For Rob and John, that seems the best solution.

We can't do our job without these cars.

We just keep getting them back, getting them back,

and they're not right.

Well, a very unhappy situation all round.

Ford told us that Evans Halshaw tried to replicate the faults

unsuccessfully on four separate occasions.

One of the cars should have been tested by the

national technical team,

but as it wasn't delivered to the garage, that didn't happen.

Ford also say that in future, they're happy for John and Rob

to take their cars to a different Ford dealership.

And Lex Autolease, well, they point out that

their lease agreement didn't include maintenance, servicing or repairs,

but they've arranged for both vehicles to be assessed

by an independent expert.

Now, back to our investigation into hairdressers prepared to ignore

their own industry's guidelines.

Sammi Ford knows only too well what can happen

when hair dyeing goes wrong.

She suffered a severe allergic reaction.

It was really frightening, I was scared, I didn't

want to look in the mirror, I didn't even recognise myself.

Manufacturers all say their hair dyes are safe to use

if the instructions are followed.

Which includes carrying out a patch test.

Those same manufacturers also say that hair dye is not intended

for use on anyone under the age of 16.

The European Commission demands this warning is put on all packaging.

The hairdressers' own federation goes further, saying

that hair colour products should never be applied to anyone under 16.

But we've discovered that some hairdressers in Wales seem only too

happy to ignore the guidance.

Imogen is 12 and loves having her hair styled.

She'd also love to have it coloured, but she's too young.

We took her undercover to salons across South Wales.

Only one, Burlesque in Newport, did the right thing,

telling her she was too young.

-Hi.

-Hi, how are you?

Shirley Davis-Fox represents Wales on the industry's professional body.

So what we've done is sent a 12-year-old

into various salons asking to get their hair dyed.

So it will be very interesting to see what you think of this.

-12 years of age?

-Yeah, 12.

At this salon in Pontypridd, there's encouragement.

So, very clearly stated that she's 12.

That she's 12.

She should have said, "No, I'm really sorry."

Right, I don't know what you're going to make

of the rest of this then.

Next, Kadji in Cardiff.

They seem mainly concerned about the cost.

Now, what's interesting about that is she is almost,

the fact that she's a schoolgirl is a benefit here

because she's going to get a discount.

That's appalling.

She is a schoolgirl, she does not look 16.

In fact, she doesn't even look 14.

A patch test on the spot was offered by Glam in Pontypridd,

but that's only appropriate for an adult client.

Space in Newport were also concerned

about what kind of colour Imogen wanted.

Elbow Room in Newport were keen to offer our schoolgirl

an affordable option.

And Pebbles in Cardiff were willing to book the appointment too.

That is awful. That is absolutely appalling.

And at a branch of LaZarou in Pontypridd,

the staff clearly realise she's a child.

That's not true. That is absolutely not true.

Nobody, no-one can guarantee

that a lowlight chemical will not touch the scalp.

Are you all right?

I feel like this is like red rag to a bull right now.

Well, it is.

Everybody, within the industry,

is trying to professionalise the industry.

And here we have salons that are actually contemplating colouring -

doesn't matter whether it's highlights or lowlights -

colouring a young person's hair.

No.

If they did something with this young girl

and she had an anaphylactic shock,

she could die.

That's how serious it is.

Well, not all the hairdressers we featured were willing to comment,

but the Hair Centre has apologised and say they've arranged

further staff training.

Glam was the only salon that wanted to carry out

a patch test on the spot.

However, they say they would still be willing to colour

our tester's hair, because the highlights she wanted

wouldn't have touched the scalp.

Pebbles admit they should have checked our tester's age.

But say they'll now improve procedures

to avoid errors in future.

And LaZarou in Pontypridd acknowledge they made a mistake.

They say they have strict policies in place and will now put further

policies and staff training into action

to stop this ever happening again.

Well, that's all we've got time for this week.

Next week - the boiler left in pieces

and the mum left out of pocket by a plumber.

I felt really stupid for trusting him and giving him that money.

The whole thing has been really upsetting.

And if you'd like us to investigate a tradesman,

a company that's let you down or an issue that gets you

hot under the collar, get in touch.

The number to call is...

Or you can e-mail...

We would love to hear from you.

See you next week, bye-bye.