A message from Cumbria's Fire and Rescue Service:
Many of us are spending more time at home to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Cooking, smoking, electrical items and heating sources are the most common causes of fires in the home, so Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is asking people to think, take action and avoid becoming a further casualty for the NHS.
Cooking - never leave any cooking unattended, read the instructions clearly and don’t cook after consuming alcohol.
Electrics - don’t overload sockets or electrical systems. Always turn off and unplug electrical equipment when it’s not in use.
Smoke alarms - check they are working, at least once per week, if they are not working then get some working detectors fitted on at least every floor of the property.
Escape routes - make sure everyone in your property knows how to get out if a fire does occur, close all doors at night to limit the spread of any fire or smoke.
Deliberate fires - people are still having fires to burn refuse or garden waste - do not do this! These fires can easily get out of control. Burning rubbish can also cause pollution and harm to people’s health.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service are also asking people to be safety aware if they go outdoors for daily exercise.
Be Water Aware
When out walking, or running close to water, keep away from the water’s edge, especially after rain when the ground may be slippery or unstable
Never enter the water to try and help a person or animal - always call 999 and use any water rescue equipment if it is available
If you are spending time near water make sure you would know what to do if you happened to fall in. The advice is not to panic, float on your back and then either call for help, or swim to safety
If you've had alcohol don't enter the water and avoid walking routes near water
Wild fires
Please follow these tips to reduce the chance of a wildfire in the countryside:
Extinguish cigarettes properly and don't throw cigarette ends on the ground.
Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows.
Avoid using open fires in the countryside.
Don't leave bottles or glass in woodland - sunlight shining through glass can start fires.
If you see a fire in the countryside, report it to the fire and rescue service immediately.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service will continue to visit vulnerable or elderly people in their homes and can provide assistance with fitting their smoke alarms. The Service is encouraging the general public to look after their own fire safety and help to make sure that Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is available for the public who really need our response or prevention staff.
If anybody requires a ‘Safe and Well’ visit, please call 0800 358477 or email HART@cumbria.gov.uk. More fire home safety information at https://firekills.campaign.gov.uk/ and https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/cumbriafire/
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