With temperatures hitting significant highs of over 30°C this week, CFRS would like to remind residents of important outdoor fire safety and water safety advice.
Station Commander Ed Miller, Community Risk Manager at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We want to help ensure that people enjoy the warm weather while it’s here but there are a few things people can do to make sure they do so safely.”
Preventing an outdoor fire
“High temperatures and dry areas of land can be perfect conditions for a fire to spread. Something as simple as not stubbing a cigarette out properly, or using a disposable barbecue on grass, can start a fire that can develop quickly. We ask that people avoid lighting bonfires this time of year. They can quickly get out of hand and spread to nearby buildings and vegetation, which can cause significant damage and put people at risk."
There are simple steps we urge residents to take to help prevent an outdoor fire:
- Ensure cigarettes are completely out
- Do not throw cigarettes out of car windows onto grass verges or vegetation
- Put disposable barbecues on bricks, do not place them directly on grass, and keep them well away from shrubs sheds, and fencing
- Do not leave glass bottles lying on the ground, the sun’s rays reflect through the glass and can start a fire
- When camping, do not leave campfires unattended, and make sure it is completely out before you leave it
- Talk to the children about the dangers of starting a fire
Spending significant time
Station Commander Miller concluded: “We tend to see an increase in calls to fires during spells of hot weather. This does result in our crews spending significant time at incidents that could be avoided, which is why we are urging residents across the county to follow our simple tips to help avoid accidentally needing us to extinguish a fire.”
“It can also be tempting to take a dip in open water while it’s hot, but we’re asking people to resist the urge for the sake of cooling off. Open water can often be deeper than expected with unanticipated hazards below the surface, and even if the weather is warm the water can still be cold – and this can cause the body to go into cold water shock and panic.”
