Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is urging Erewash residents to stay alert and act sensibly as the current heatwave continues.
With an amber Met Office warning for extreme heat and a red health alert in place until Thursday night (June 25th), emergency services are concerned about a potential rise in incidents across the county.
Station Manager Paul Cockerton said: “High temperatures and prolonged dry conditions can significantly increase the risk of fires in the open. What may seem like a small spark from a barbecue, discarded cigarette, or garden bonfire can quickly spread and lead to a serious incident.
“We’re also urging people to be aware of the dangers of open water. While rivers, lakes, and reservoirs look inviting, the water remains cold and there could be hidden hazards.”
Essential Summer Safety Advice
Water Safety
- Resist the urge to swim: Keep out of quarries, lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. Cold water shock can cause muscle cramps and breathing difficulties, leading to drowning.
- Float to Live: If you get into trouble, float on your back with arms and legs out like a star and shout for help.
- Call for help: Never enter the water to rescue someone else. Call 999 immediately.
Barbecue Safety
- Positioning: Keep barbecues well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs, and homes. Never use petrol to light them.
- Disposable BBQs: Place them on a hard, fireproof surface—never on dry grass.
- Disposal: Let coals cool on bare earth. Never put hot coals or disposable barbecues straight into a plastic wheelie bin.
- Be prepared: Keep a bucket of water or a hose pipe nearby.
Moorland and Countryside Safety
- No portable BBQs: Do not take portable barbecues or gas stoves into the countryside or moorlands. They are banned in many areas of the Peak District, so pack a picnic instead.
- Litter and glass: Take all rubbish home. Do not leave glass bottles behind, as the sun magnifying through glass can spark a fire.
- Cigarettes: Never throw lit cigarettes out of car windows. Ensure they are fully extinguished.
What to Do if You See a Fire
If you spot a fire in the open, do not investigate. Leave the area immediately and call 999.
To help fire crews locate the fire quickly in rural or hard-to-describe areas, download the What3words app on your phone, which gives emergency services an exact 3-metre location.
For more outdoor safety tips, visit www.derbys-fire.gov.uk/safety/outdoor-safety.
