Stay Safe During The Heatwave

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) is reissuing a call for people to act sensibly, stay alert and to stay safe during the heatwave.

With temperatures soaring, we are asking people to follow some simple safety advice to prevent an emergency at home, in the garden and when out and about.

Group Manager Kevin Page said: “We know that with a return to warmer weather there comes a greater risk of emergency incidents. A barbeque placed too close to a fence or shed, an out of control garden fire, a discarded cigarette or glass bottle and the temptation to cool down in open water can soon lead to disaster. But all of these disasters can be avoided if you follow our top tips.”

Barbecue Safety – Ensure you always have a bucket of water, or hosepipe on standby when having a barbeque.

• Make sure your barbecue is sited well away from sheds, fences, shrubs or garden waste.
• Only use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue.
• Ensure the barbecue is cool before moving it.
• When finished - Empty the ashes and hot coals onto bare garden soil and not into wheelie bins as burning embers could cause a fire.
• Don't drink if you are in charge of the barbecue.
• Never use petrol or paraffin to start or revive your barbecue; use only recognised lighters or starter fuels on cold coals.

Wildfire Prevention – with tinder dry vegetation a discarded cigarette, glass bottle or portable barbeque can soon cause a grass or moorland fire that could take firefighters days to tackle.

• Do not have a barbecue in the open – save them for your garden and follow our safety advice. If you want to eat outdoors, take sandwiches – they are cheaper too.
• Discard used cigarettes responsibly.
• Don’t leave glass bottles lying around, the sun can radiate through them quickly causing a fire.
• Discard rubbish responsibly – take it home, or put it in a bin.

Controlled Burn/Say No to a Garden Fire Pledge

We want everyone to enjoy their gardens during the heatwave, but a garden fire can make this both unpleasant and dangerous.

Smoke from a garden fire can have an impact on people with respiratory illnesses and is generally unpleasant when trying to enjoy your garden. 

With tinder dry grass, trees and shrubs, a garden fire can quickly get out of control, rapidly spreading to sheds, fences, hedges and even your house.

Sign our pledge today and make the decision not to have a garden fire.

Water Safety – Not matter how hot it gets do not cool down in open water – stay away from quarries, rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

• Stay away from quarries, rivers, lakes and reservoirs. 
• Keep out of the water – no matter how strong a swimmer you are.
• Water temperatures remain low, even when it’s hot.
• Cold water will cause your body to go into shock, causing your heart rate to rise, your muscles to cramp and it makes you gasp for breath.  This quickly leads to panic and disorientation.

In addition to asking people to stay safe, the Service is also supporting Severn Trent with a call to ask people to use water wisely.

You can find water saving tips on Severn Trent Water’s website: https://www.stwater.co.uk/wonderful-on-tap/save-water/you-can-make-a-difference/. 

 

For further information about keeping safe, visit www.derbys-fire.gov.uk alternatively follow or like @DerbyshireFRS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.