resolve severity issues

[GiacomoSorbi]

This PR includes changes for resolving high severity issues and most of low level ones.

[PeterJCLaw]

I realise this repo doesn't have a PR template to prompt for this, but it would be good to record how this was tested?

[lirsacc]

This looks alright. Although I am not sure I have enough context to properly assess all the changes.

+1 on @PeterJCLaw's comment, how was this tested? If we're confident the everything still works then it should be all right.

I reckon this may require a release of the package, WDYT? Unfortunately I don't know the process for this.

[jackfranklin]

@lirsacc hey! 👋 Saw this pop up in my GitHub emails. Let me know if you need any help with the release process...everything should be in place but I'm happy to help if anything isn't.

[GiacomoSorbi]

@jackfranklin Saw your kind reply here, yup I highly recommend you to create a new release with updated deps.

[tavva]

@GiacomoSorbi This is our repo - Jack no longer works at Thread, he's offered to help if we need it though. Thanks Jack, we'll take it!