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Have a safe and enjoyable Easter

Posted: Thursday 14 April 2022, 13:38

With warmer weather arriving over the Easter weekend, Firefighters are appealing to people to take extra care to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable Easter.

Firefighters are asking people to take a few minutes to read our guide to staying safe on our roads, in the garden, around water, and when enjoying the great Derbyshire countryside:

Outdoor Safety

Barbeque Safety: Many people will be dusting off the BBQ for the first time this year.                                                                                  Between April and August 2021, Firefighters attended 48 fires related to the use of a BBQ.

  • Ensure BBQs are sited away from any overhanging trees and shrubs.
  • Keep BBQs away from sheds, fences, garages, and the house.
  • Keep a hose or bucket of water on hand for emergencies.
  • DO NOT use petrol or accelerants to light your BBQ.
  • When your BBQ is finished, let hot coals cool on bare earth, DO NOT put them into a wheelie bin.
  • DO NOT take BBQs into the open countryside/moorlands. Public Space Protection Orders ban their use in many areas.

Moorland/Countryside Safety: 

During 2021 Firefighters attended 1,100 fires in the open.

  • DO NOT take BBQs into the open countryside/moorlands. Public Space Protection Orders ban their use in many areas.
  • Take rubbish home or dispose of it responsibly.
  • Ensure cigarettes are extinguished and disposed of responsibly.

Deliberate Fires       

Deliberate fires destroy communities. Be a FireStopper. Tell us what you know 100% anonymously. Call 0800 169 5558 or visit www.firestoppersreport.co.uk

Water safety:                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

In 2021 sadly seven people lost their lives in accidental water related incidents, with a further three people losing their lives in water in 2022. A Further 38 people have been rescued by Firefighters from water.

No matter how warm it is, resist the urge to swim or jump into open water such as quarries, lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.                  Float to Live.

  • Cold water shock can cause muscle cramps and breathing difficulties and quickly lead to drowning.
  • Hidden debris and rocks can cause you to get trapped.
  • Float to Live – if you do find yourself in difficulty in the water, float to live – if you can’t swim to safety, float on your back with your arms and legs out like a star and shout for help.
  • Never enter the water to help someone else in difficulty. Call 999 immediately.

Driving: Whatever your mode of transport this bank holiday stay safe.

In 2020/21 we attended 438 road traffic collisions where 14 people were killed and 60 seriously injured.

  • Speed Kills – slow down, watch your speed and ensure you arrive safely at your destination.
  • Switch mobile phones off and place them in a bag or glovebox before your journey begins.
  • Book taxi’s ahead of any nights out.  Never be tempted to get behind the wheel after drink or drugs!