A fire chief has called on communities to assist firefighters after tragedies claimed the lives of three people last week. Continue reading Safety call after three die in fires
Tag: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Storm Gertrude: stay safe
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service offers safety advice
Storm Gertrude, the latest winter storm to hit Scotland, wll bring wet, windy and wintry weather to communities across the country today and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to stay safe.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has already been involved in emergency responses, along with other partner agencies at flooding and water rescue incidents in the Borders and in Dumfries and Galloway over the past two days.
The Met Office has issued amber “be prepared” and yellow “be aware” warnings for Scotland with an amber warning for high winds in place from 3.00am until 10.00am on Friday. Heavy rain throughout Friday is expected to be followed by icy and wintry conditions into Saturday.
SFRS will continue to monitor the situation across Scotland as the effects of STORM GERTRUDE begin to be felt. Resources are in place to support local communities using specialist equipment to prevent and reduce the impact of flooding on domestic and commercial properties and ultimately keep them safe and allow them to prepare for the expected weather over the next 24 hours.
In addition to the already present strong winds and rain in some areas of the country, forecasters are also predicting wintry weather, including snow and ice. During this period of unsettled weather, people are advised to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecasts and National Severe Weather Warnings and find out what to do in severe weather so they can plan ahead for the weather in store.
The main risks normally associated with weather patterns such as this are flooding and loss of power due to the wind and rain. As a result the public may find themselves in a situation where their homes are affected. The Fire Service would like to remind anyone who finds themselves without power or water entering the home that they can take a few simple steps to ensure they are not placed in any additional risk from fire.
When using candles never leave them unattended and make sure you blow them out when you leave the house or go to bed. Make sure that when in use, candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains, Christmas trees, decorations and toys. Other tips include:
- Children and pets should not be left alone with lit candles
- Put candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re put out completely at night.
- Trim the wick to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring.
- Don’t move candles once they are lit
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on burn time and proper use.
- Do not burn several candles close together as this might cause flaring (mainly with tea-lights).
- Always make sure tea-lights are placed in a proper holder. The foil container which tea lights come in can get very hot. They can melt through plastic, such as a bath, and have the potential to start a house fire.
- Use a snuffer or a spoon to put out candles. It’s safer than blowing them out when embers can fly.
The public can get further information on safety when using candles by using the link below:
http://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/festive-safety/candles.aspx
If your home suffers a loss of power or is flooded and you are using portable heaters to heat or dry out your home here are some simple tips to keep you safe:
- Keep heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes.
- Unplug or switch off portable heaters when you go out or go to bed.
- Secure portable heaters in position to avoid the risk of them being knocked over
- Only use gas or paraffin heaters in well-ventilated areas. Heaters consume oxygen and in enclosed spaces can produce harmful gases and/or cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Fit a Carbon Monoxide detector in all rooms containing gas or paraffin heaters.
- Never use portable gas cylinder heaters in high rise flats
- Always change gas cylinders in the open air. Never change gas cylinders in an enclosed space.
If you or someone you know is vulnerable or may be at risk from fire please get in touch and arrange a FREE home fire safety visit with local firefighters by calling 0800 0731 999 or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk
A wide range of tips on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire are available on the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk/winter
Further resources:
MET OFFICE WARNINGS – http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/guide/weather/severe-weather-advice
FLOODLINE – http://www.floodlinescotland.org.uk/flood-updates/
TRAFFIC SCOTLAND: http://trafficscotland.org/
TRAVELLINE – http://www.travelinescotland.com/welcome.do
SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) – http://www.sepa.org.uk/
READY SCOTLAND – http://www.readyscotland.org/are-you-ready/severe-weather/
Festive season fire safety
’tis the season for staying safe at home
The public are being urged to keep safe over the festive season which traditionally sees a rise in the number of preventable house fires. Continue reading Festive season fire safety
Madness: fire crews attacked while protecting communities
Wet weather plays a part in ‘quieter than usual’ 5 November
People who chose to attend organized Bonfire Night events helped to protect their communities by ensuring firefighters were able to quickly get to real emergencies on Guy Fawkes Night. No major incidents were reported in Edinburgh, but sadly crews in Larbert, Govanhill and New Cumnock were threatened and attacked while trying to keep the public safe. Continue reading Madness: fire crews attacked while protecting communities
Help protect your community from bonfire tragedy
Choosing to attend only organised displays is the best way to keep yourself, your family and your community safe. Continue reading Help protect your community from bonfire tragedy
Primary kids paint firework warning
Clean sweep for Forthview in Firework poster competition Continue reading Primary kids paint firework warning
Remember, remember: make safety paramount at firework time
NHS 24 is reminding people to take care and understand how to treat minor burns ahead of this year’s Bonfire Night celebrations on 5 November.
Continue reading Remember, remember: make safety paramount at firework time
Fire safety message taken to Edinburgh Mela
Thousands see fire safety displays at city music and dance festival
City firefighters joined revellers at the Edinburgh Mela over the weekend to raise awareness of the support available to help the public prevent fires and the tragedies they cause.
Thousands of people enjoyed live music at Leith Links on Saturday and Sunday, making the annual festival an ideal opportunity for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews to share potentially life-saving information.
Watch Manager Steve Scott said: “Our community action teams and crews from Marionville and McDonald Road Fire stations had two great days of engagement with the public.
“We had more than 1,200 people visit the SFRS Mobile Museum and they loved getting dressed-up in fire kit and getting selfies. It’s popular with young and old alike but of course the main drive is making our communities safer.
“All these visitors saw displays that make you very aware of common hazards within the home as well as the steps you can take to prevent them causing a potentially devastating fire.”
The SFRS crews offered free home fire safety visits, which involve local firefighters helping householders identify hazards and taking simple steps to address them.
With early warning known to be vital if a fire does happen, the SFRS crews also check smoke alarms are working and even provide and install the devices if they are found to be needed.
Free home fire safety visits are available from SFRS by calling the freephone number 0800 073 1999, by texting ‘FIRE’ to 80800 or by filling in an online form at www.firescotland.gov.uk.
Watch Manager Scott added: “We would much rather take 20 minutes to help someone stay safe than attend a fire that could have been prevented.
“Fire in the home is devastating. Even where no-one is seriously hurt, the loss of cherished possessions, the financial impact and the emotional trauma can all be horrific for those involved.
“We want to hear from anyone who thinks they or someone they know could benefit from some friendly, expert advice and support from their local crews.”
Pictures: Edinburgh Mela
Kent generations remember Edinburgh firefighter
Proud great-grandchildren donate watch to Museum of Fire
The Museum of Fire in Lauriston Place recently received a very special gift from Robert (18) and eleven year old Cameron Hall (pictured) in remembrance of their great-grandfather David Hall. Three generations of the Hall family travelled up from Kent to visit the Museum, once the fire station where David worked.
David served as a firefighter with the then South Eastern Fire Brigade until sadly he died in an accident at work in 1967. Both grandsons were accompanied by their parents and grandparents last week when they presented a watch to the Museum in memory of the firefighter.
Alistair MacDonald, Museum of Fire, said: ““We were all very pleased to welcome the Hall family from Kent to the Museum of Fire in Edinburgh.
“It was a privilege to show Robert and Cameron around the museum along with their grandmother Sue and explain a bit about the kind of work their great-grandfather would have done whilst serving as a firefighter. Sadly David Hall passed way in 1967 following an accident at the Service’s headquarters on Lauriston Place.
“It was a real honour for our staff to be able to meet the family and take some time to remember David.”
Sue Hall, said: “My father-in-law David Hall served with South Eastern Fire Brigade until 1967 when he was tragically killed following an accident in Edinburgh. He actually worked in the building that now houses the Museum of Fire. My grandsons Cameron and Robert, David’s great-grandsons, have always been so interested in their great-grandfather the firefighter.
“They have been so excited to come and see where David would have worked, visit the museum that’s now there and present a watch in memory of him. It’s been lovely for all our family to come and see but especially for my husband, David’s son, to see this part of his father’s past.”
Created through the display of fire engines, equipment and uniforms, the history of the first municipal fire brigade in Europe and fire fighting in Edinburgh between 1824 and the 1940s can be seen at the Museum of Fire in Lauriston Place.
Visits can be booked by emailing sfrs.newbridgesdaadmin@firescotland.gov.uk
Fire Service issues summer appeal
As we move into summer and the school holidays, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is appealing to the public to join Scotland’s fight and do what they can to prevent fire.
During the summer months SFRS traditionally see an increase in the amount of deliberate fires across Scotland compared to the rest of the year. These fires present a danger to life, property and can have a detrimental financial impact on the Scottish economy.
SFRS will work together with partner agencies such as Police Scotland, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Crimestoppers Scotland to prevent fires and support Police Scotland in highlighting the need to report fire offending.
Station Manager Graham Arnott, Glenrothes, said: “We want the public to have an enjoyable break over the summer holidays – and also a safe one. Over the next few months we’ll typically see an increase in the amount of deliberate fires.
“SFRS is appealing in particular to young people as they go on school holidays to consider the consequences of deliberately setting a fire. We would urge parents to ensure that their children know about and understand the potentially tragic consequences deliberate fires can have, as well as the impact for responding emergency services. Fire setting is an offense – don’t accept it, report it.
“We ask local residents and businesses to ensure that rubbish does not accumulate outside their property and that wheelie bins are stored in a safe and secure area until collection. Bin and rubbish fires can quickly take hold and spread to buildings and vehicles, posing a major risk to life and property.
“As we enter the time of year where we typically see warmer weather we would also expect to see an increase in the amount of woodland, grass and forest fires. Our crews work hard to provide education and advice about the risks and also respond when fires do break out. The public can help them to keep people safe by heeding our safety advice and sharing it with others. We’ll be working hand in hand with rural communities, businesses and landowners to establish ‘Fire Plans’ that will focus on reducing the risk of fire and provide advice on what to do if an emergency does occur.
“There is lots of information available online now at www.firescotland.gov.uk and residents wanting further advice in relation to keeping their home safe from fire can contact us for a FREE Home safety visit on 0800 0731 999, or text ‘FIRE’ to 80800.”