Warm weather safety

Fire safety in open spaces

Wildfires can pose a significant threat to communities and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) encourages the public to be aware during hot and dry weather.

The public are encouraged to take extra care in open spaces, reminding them of the following public safety advice:

• Avoid using disposable barbecues in open countryside, parks, and moorland areas
• Do not discard cigarettes, matches, or glass bottles, as they can ignite dry vegetation
• If you notice any suspicious behaviour or see someone intentionally starting a fire, contact the Police immediately or report the information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If there is a fire, call 999 immediately
• Report any signs of fire immediately by calling 999 and asking for the Fire and Rescue Service.

Fire safety at home

If you live in a rural area or an area prone to grass or wildfires, you can check your property and surroundings for fire hazards to reduce the risk.

Protect your garden

You can help protect your garden by:

• Aiming for a cleared zone of 5-10 foot around all sides of your home by removing combustible materials such as felled trees and long grass
• Speaking to neighbours or contacting your local authority if you are concerned about land that is not yours
• Cutting back trees and shrubs that are close to or touching your house and dispose of the waste responsibly – don’t throw cuttings onto adjacent land or let them dry out in your garden, it’s fuel in the event of a fire
• Keeping grass cut short (below about 7cm) and remove cut grass – long, dry grass can burn if an ignition source is introduced
• Clearing flammable debris such as dead leaves from the garden and guttering
• Positioning sheds away from your property
• Separating trees, bushes and items that could catch fire, such as patio furniture
• Keeping your garden maintained and watered in dry spells. Consider using water from water butts or wastewater from the home if hosepipe bans are in place
• Following safety advice to reduce the risk of fire in the garden such as when having barbecues.

Protect your home

Help protect your home from wildfires by:

• Clearing flammable debris such as dead leaves from guttering
• Making sure that flammable substances such as fuel, fertilisers and pesticides are safely stored away from your home
• Checking that all property exit routes are clear from inside and outside the home
• Stopping hot embers from entering your roof space by repairing loose and broken roof tiles
• Checking for spaces between roof tiles or within your home where burning embers could become lodged and make sure they are clear
• Positioning garden structures, such as sheds and compost heaps away from the house.

Water safety

When the weather gets warmer, lots of people will seek out a place to take a refreshing swim to cool off. SFRS encourages the public to consider the following advice:

• Most accidental drownings in the UK occur in inland waterways like rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs, and quarries. Even calm-looking water can have strong currents, cold temperatures, and hidden dangers
• Cold water shock can affect your ability to swim, even in summer the water can be very cold. Enter water slowly to acclimatize rather than jumping in
• Most people who drown had no intention of entering the water, such as people walking and causes being slips, trip and falls. Be careful when running, jogging or walking near canals and rivers. Annually a number of drowning incidents involve alcohol and/or drugs. Choosing to enter the water while under the influence or walking a route next to water after a night out can lead to drowning
• If someone is in trouble, call 999 for help. Never enter the water to attempt a rescue. Ask for the Coastguard at the coast. Tell them to float on their back and throw them something that floats - this can be lifesaving equipment such as a throwline, but anything that floats can help save a life
• If you fall into water unexpectedly, fight the instinct to thrash, tilt your head back, spread your arms and legs, and float to regain control of your breathing.