As part of a month-long Fire Kills campaign, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding residents to stay safe during summer as they make the most of the weather and enjoy the outdoors.
James Hunt, Watch Based Station Manager, said: “Many of us are well aware of the need for fire safety in the home, but it is important to be just as careful to avoid the risk of fire when you are outside. If you’re intending to take out your tent, get your caravan back on the road or simply spend time in the countryside with family and friends, take note of our safety advice.”
Avoiding the risk of fire
By following RBFRS's top tips, users can ensure that the summer activities are safe and enjoyable.
- Barbecues
- Light the barbecue well away from sheds, fences, trees, and shrubs
- Set up the barbecue on level ground
- Keep a bucket of water, sand, or a garden hose nearby for emergencies
- Don't leave a lit barbecue unattended
- Don't take a barbecue indoors – even when the flames aren’t visible, they can still give off carbon monoxide fumes, which can be deadly
- Wildfires
- Do not dispose of cigarettes on the ground and always ensure that they have been fully extinguished before throwing them away
- Avoid lighting open fires in the countryside
- Dispose of the litter responsibly. Glass and other reflective materials can start fires if left in direct sunlight
- If the user discovers a wildfire, do not attempt to tackle it on own. Move to a safe place, call 999 and tell them the location and size of the fire
- Water safety
- Avoid jumping into open water from a height, often referred to as 'tombstoning', as this can cause potentially fatal cold water shock, even on the warmest day
- If the user does wish to go swimming, swimming in a group, or better still at an organized event, is safer
- Stay away from the water if they have been drinking. Alcohol affects the ability to react and respond in water
- If the user is exercising next to open water, look out for trip and slip hazards
- If the user finds trouble in the water, do not panic, float on the back until the effects of cold water shock pass
- If someone else falls into the water, call 999 straight away and ask to speak to the fire service and ambulance. Do not enter the water to try to save someone
- Caravans and Camping
- Allow at least 6 meter spacing between tents and caravans and ensure they are away from parked cars to reduce the risk of fire spreading
- Fit and test a smoke alarm in the caravan
- Remove any litter and rubbish near the caravan to reduce the risk of fire spreading
- Make sure the caravan is ventilated, and never block air vents, to avoid a build-up of carbon monoxide
- Don’t smoke inside tents
- Never use candles in or near a tent – torches are safer
- Keep cooking appliances away from the tent walls and never cook inside a small tent or near flammable materials or long grass; they can all be set alight easily
- Turn off all appliances before going out or to bed
