During the summer we often see a rise in the number of fires occurring, and many of these are as a result of using a BBQ. To help prevent a fire and keep yourself and your neighbours safe, please remember to never leave a BBQ unattended and use it in an open space, away from fences, sheds, trees, and anything that may catch fire. Position it on level ground and don’t use petrol or paraffin to start or revive the BBQ.

Once you’ve finished using the BBQ, make sure it’s fully extinguished and cool before moving it and only empty ashes onto bare garden soil or a compost heap and not a bin. It’s a good idea to have a bucket of water or sand nearby in case of an emergency. Please stay updated on the local weather forecast and avoid using a BBQ if its particularly hot or windy.

If you’re heading into the great outdoors, ensure your tent and camping equipment are fire-resistant and properly maintained.  Never use fuel-burning equipment inside your tent, such as BBQs, and make sure you pack a portable CO alarm to alert you at the first sign of danger. Allow at least six meters spacing between tents and caravans and make sure they are away from parked cars to reduce the risk of a fire spreading. 

Smoke alarms save lives, so to make sure they’re working as they should, press the “test” button on the detector. You should hear the alarm sound loud and clear from every room in the house. Try this once a month, and ensure the indicator light blinks, which indicates the alarm is powered. If you hear a low battery warning chirp, replace the batteries immediately. Dust can interfere with the alarm's sensitivity, so you should vacuum the alarm with a brush attachment at least once a month, and more frequently if you have pets or a lot of dust. Occasionally you may need to wipe the outside of the alarm with a damp cloth to remove any stuck-on debris. 

Lengthy periods of hot and dry weather can result in dry grass and foliage, and it only takes a spark to cause a wildfire. If you’re out and about enjoying the sunshine make sure you take any litter with you when you leave, especially glass, as direct sunlight can cause this to catch fire. This includes cigarettes, which should always be fully extinguished and never thrown out of car windows where they may land on dry ground by the roadside. You should also keep your own garden and driveway free from rubbish and debris to reduce combustible sources. 

Communal fire doors should always be kept closed, regardless of the season, to ensure their fire-resistant functionality and prevent the spread of fire and smoke. Although you may be tempted to keep them open for ventilation or convenience during the warmer months, this could allow fire to spread more quickly throughout your building, compromising everyone’s safety.

With the summer holidays just around the corner, many of us will be counting down the days until we can escape for some much-needed relaxation. If you’re going to be leaving your home unoccupied, it’s important that you take a few steps to reduce the chance of a fire before you leave. This includes:
•    Turn off all gas appliances that are not required to be running while you’re away
•    Turn off and unplug all electrical appliances also not needed while you’re away
•    Turn off water at the mains. Water from a leaking pipe or overflowing from a cistern could cause a fault in the electrical wiring wiring and lead to a fire.
•    Close all internal doors to prevent a fire spreading easily through your home and causing damage
•    Ask a relative, friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your home while you’re away and leave a key with them if possible
•    Test your smoke alarms before going away so that if a fire starts, your neighbours will be alerted