Tag Archives: Fire warning

Fire Service counts the cost of arson!

Arson attacks in Warwickshire have cost Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service and it’s communities an estimated £21,830,084 in economic costs over the past four years.

More than 1,249 fires were deliberately started in the last year, totalling to 1652 fire appliances being called to deal with the fires. Deliberate attacks on commercial premises cost an average of £4365 with deliberate fires in domestic premises estimated at £12,800.

Around half of the fires attended were rubbish or bin fires, with the biggest being derelict buildings and skips.

Arson Reduction Manager, Ian Tonner, said: “Deliberate fire setting is not only dangerous for the individual involved, but it can devastate communities, schools and businesses. In the worst cases, lives can be lost.

“Ultimately, our priority is to keep the public and our firefighters safe and reducing arson and anti-social behaviour plays a big part in how we achieve that. We also need to support businesses to stay in business during this economic downturn, by educating them on how to reduce the risks of arson attacks on their premises.”

Whilst arson is a real issue and one we continue to drive down, we have had some real success.  In just two years we have managed to almost halve the economic cost of fire in Warwickshire. This has been driven by both preventative measures and an excellent operational response. However, we can not be complacent, which is why we have recently

launched our Small Fires Unit, which is already working in communities affected by arson. In addition we remain committed to our partnerships as we work together to protect the community and make Warwickshire a safer place to live.

To reduce the chances of being a victim of arson either at home or for commercial premises, there are some simple steps you can take:

  • Ensure your wheelie bin or your black bags are kept in a secure place away from buildings, so they cannot be set alight.
  •  Put rubbish out on the day of collection and then bring your bin in as soon as possible.
  • Never leave commercial bins open, keep them locked and secured before you leave the building for the evening and over the weekends.
  • Using a skip for building work or rubbish removal? Try to fill it and remove it on the same day.

For more information on fire safety log onto  http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/warksfirerescue

Wake up to the deadly risk: Smoking is the biggest house fire killer

Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service has one of the lowest number of accidental house fires caused by smoking materials in the country.

However, despite the low numbers, the Service is still highlighting the dangers of smoking, especially when tired.

Nationally, more than a third of all deaths in fires in the home are caused by cigarettes. This makes smoking the single biggest killer in accidental fires in the home, often because of careless behaviour such as smoking in bed or not taking care after drinking alcohol. And when smokers fall asleep with a lit cigarette in hand, their proximity to the resulting fire seriously lowers their chance of escaping in time.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are reminding smokers to ‘Put it Out, Right Out’ whenever they light up; to install smoke alarms on every level of the home; and, to test them regularly. Without a working smoke alarm you are four times more likely to die in an accidental fire in the home.

These simple steps can help prevent a cigarette fire in the home:

Never smoke in bed. Take care when you’re tired – it’s very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning and set furniture alight

Never smoke when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If your lit cigarette starts a fire you could be less able to escape.

Put it out, right out!  Make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished

Fit a smoke alarm and test it weekly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999

Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended – they can easily overbalance as they burn down

Use a proper, heavy ashtray that can’t tip over easily and is made of a material that won’t burn.

Community Fire Safety Manager, Moreno Francioso said:

“Whilst the number of accidental fires in the home caused by smoking material remains low in Warwickshire, we can not be complacent. Residents need to be aware that someone dies from a fire caused by cigarettes or smoking materials every five days. Despite a fall in the overall number of fires caused by these products, it’s still the biggest killer in accidental fires in the home across the country. “

Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, Councillor Richard Hobbs said:

“Every smoker should wake up to the risks they take every time they light up, and drop the habit of smoking whilst in bed or under the influence of alcohol. The risk of falling asleep before you ‘put it out, right out’ is just too great.

“Just two to three breaths of toxic smoke can render you unconscious, so why take the risk!“

If you do smoke in the home, then please make sure that you have a working smoke alarm on each floor of the property. It can give you the extra time you need to escape if the worst should happen.

For more information on fire safety in the home, log onto http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/firesafetycheck

Dog owners warned of the dangers of frozen ice

Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service are warning about the dangers of frozen ponds and lakes as the freezing weather sets in.

Last year firefighters received 30 calls to ice related incidents, some of which involved pet owners falling through the ice after trying to save their dog.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Jim Onions said:

“The big freeze is on its way and with that comes the added danger of frozen lakes and ponds. Whilst the frozen ice may look inviting, it can be very fragile and anyone who goes through the ice could become trapped very quickly in freezing temperatures.

“The most common cause for people going onto the ice is to rescue their dogs. The easiest way to prevent this happening is to keep your pets on a lead when near lakes, ponds or large areas of water which have frozen over. This will reduce the chances of them straying away from you and breaking through the ice into freezing water.”

Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, Councillor Richard Hobbs said:
“We know it‘s difficult for dog owners to keep their pets close when out for a walk, but people need to be aware of the dangers they face should their dog get stuck on the ice. Often ice that looks thick can be easily broken and it only takes a second for someone to fall through, risking their lives and those trying to rescue them.”

Jim continued:

“Our main priority is to keep our residents safe from danger, so we would urge parents to warn their children about the dangers of playing on frozen water. Equally if your dog becomes trapped in a frozen pond, do not go after it, stay on the safety of the bank and call the fire service, who will professionally assess the situation. Remember animals can withstand the cold for far longer than people.”

For further information on how to stay safe this winter, log onto www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue

-Ends-

 

For further information please contact Lisa Mowe, Communications, Warwickshire County Council on: 01926 412513.

 

 

 

Fire Service issue chimney fire safety warning

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are urging residents to get their chimneys swept after attending a chimney fire at home in Kenilworth.

Crews were called to the fire at Elmdene Road, Kenilworth at 10.54am on Saturday 14 January. On arrival crews used the thermal image camera to locate the seat of the fire which was found in the chimney breast. The fire was quickly extinguished using a hose reel. Three appliances from Leamington attended the incident.

Community Safety and Youth Development Manager, Moreno Francioso said:
“In the last year there have been 89 chimney fires in Warwickshire, most of which occurred during the winter months and this could increase further if we experience prolonged periods of cold weather”.

“The good news is that most chimney fires are preventable and regular inspection and cleaning of chimney flues will help to eliminate the build-up of soot from coal, wood, oil and gas-fired systems. It also clears obstructions such as bird nests, leaves and debris. So if you haven’t lit up your fire yet, just take the time to have your chimney checked. In addition ensure that all electrical or gas fires are checked by a qualified engineer.”

Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection with Warwickshire County Council, said: “We appreciate how difficult it is to keep warm in the cold weather due to concerns over the cost of heating. So whilst we are advising residents to keep warm and well this winter, we want to ensure they are able to do so safely. The best way to achieve this is to ensure that you have your chimney swept regularly.”

Regular maintenance of your chimney will depend on the fuel you burn:

  • Smokeless coals  - At least once a year
  • Wood – Up to four times a year
  • Bituminous coal – Twice a year
  • Oil – Once a year
  • Gas – Once a year

In order to increase safety in your home Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are working in partnership with local chimney sweeps to promote the key chimney fire safety messages. Contact details for each area are below:

  • Nuneaton and Bedworth / North Warwickshire: 123 Sweeps: 07561 093927
  • Stratford: Smart Cleaning Log, LTD: 01789 751527
  • Rugby: Hilton Chimney Sweep: 01789 297908
  • Warwick: Sootbuster: 01926 887195

Don’t let fire be an unwelcome guest this Christmas!

The latest fire statistics show that nationally, 17% of all accidental dwelling fire fatalities occur in December. In light of this, Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service are reminding residents to put safety first over the festive period.

 Most of these fires can be attributed to the distractions of a crowded house, cooking being left unattended and the added influence of alcohol. In addition homes are often fitted out in Christmas decorations and trees, all of which can act as extra fuel for a fire.

 In 2010/11, there were over 31,477 house fires nationally. This resulted in 212 fatalities and 6,429 injuries.

 To remind residents about the potential dangers they face over the festive period, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are supporting the national ‘Fire Kills’ campaign. A Christmas video launched as part of the campaign shows in graphic detail just how fast a fire caused by faulty decorations can take hold and emphasises the vital importance of planning an escape route and making sure that your guests know how to get out, stay out and call 999.

 Community Safety and Youth Development Manager, Moreno Francioso said:  

“The hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations can often push fire safety out of our minds.  But in reality, the start of festive celebrations bring a whole cocktail of fire risks into the home – from the distractions of a crowded house while cooking and the slower reaction times that result from alcohol consumption, to the potential dangers of overloaded plug sockets, flammable decorations and unattended candles.

“Christmas is a time for celebrating with family and friends, and we want to keep it that way. By being aware of the risks and making a few simple checks, you can ensure that you and your loved ones can celebrate safely.”

 Top tips for the festive season include:

  •  Ensure you have a working smoke alarm installed on all levels of your home. A working alarm can give you the vital time needed to escape in a fire. Test your smoke alarms regularly and never remove batteries to power presents!
  •  Check on older relatives and neighbours this Christmas to ensure their safety as they are at greater risk from fire.
  •  Never leave cooking unattended.  The majority of fires start in the kitchen so this is a high risk area.  Avoid cooking whilst under the influence of alcohol and always turn off kitchen appliances when you have finished cooking.
  •  Never leave candles unattended. Keep candles out of the reach of children, and away from decorations, cards and wrapping paper, fires, lights and heaters.
  •  Put your cigarette out, right out.  Make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished and take care when drunk or tired. It’s very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning and set furniture alight.
  •  Don’t overload sockets – ensure only one plug per socket.  Always turn off plugs when they are not in use, except those that are designed to be left on, like freezers.
  •  Ensure you switch off fairy lights and unplug them before you go to bed, or leave the house. Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard (BS EN 60598).
  •  Always use an RCD (residual current device) on outdoor electrical equipment. This safety device can save lives by instantly switching off the power if there is a fault and can be found in any DIY store.
  •  Make sure that everyone in your home knows what to do in a fire – in the event of fire: get out, stay out and call 999

 

 To watch the Fire Kills video visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/firekills or log onto YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMtjGfr0tYs


-Ends-

For more information please contact Moreno Francioso on 01926 410800 or Lisa Mowe, Communications, Warwickshire County Council on 01926 412513.

Three dogs rescued from a bungalow fire in Rugby!

Three dogs have been rescued from a bungalow fire in Orlando Close, Rugby thanks to the brave actions of service engineers working in the area.

Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service were called to the house fire at 8.07am on Thursday 1 December 2011. On arrival, crews located a fire in the outbuilding of a Dorma bungalow.

The Fire Service were alerted to the fire by a neighbour who informed Fire Control that dogs were trapped inside the property. However, before the fire service arrived, two men had entered the bungalow and rescued the dogs.

Watch Commander, Brian Littler said; when we arrived there was a thick black plume of smoke coming from the bungalow. The outbuilding was well alight, however, we could see that the dogs were safe and so we had to act quickly to stop the fire from spreading to the rest of the property. Whilst I would like to commend the brave actions of the people who rescued the dogs, our advice would always be to get out, stay out and call the fire brigade out.

“Firefighters have now carried out a home fire safety check in the property and installed two smoke alarms. Although the outbuilding has been completely destroyed by fire, thanks to the quick action of the firefighters, the rest of the property, once secured should be habitable, so that the residents can return home.”

Two appliances from Rugby and one from Southam were in attendance. The Fire and Emergency Support Service were also in attendance to provide the residents with advice and support on what to do after a fire.

.

 

 

For further information on how to keep your home safe from fire, log onto www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue