Another heatwave is here, with an Amber Heat-Health Alert issued for the South East by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The Alert is currently due to be in place until 9pm on Sunday, 12 July, and explains that impacts to health are likely and that water-related incidents may increase.
With this in mind, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) wants to remind people across Berkshire to check in on vulnerable neighbours and loved ones during this time, take extra care, and do their part to prevent fires and water incidents.
Follow our tips to stay safe in the summer sun.
Out and About:
- Always extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly
- Never throw lit cigarette ends out of car windows – they can destroy whole fields of crops
- Avoid open fires in extremely hot and dry conditions
- Don’t leave bottles or glass lying around – sunlight shining through glass can start a fire
Water Safety:
- Do not jump into open water (tombstoning)
- Avoid swimming in open water such as rivers and lakes – there could be unseen currents and reed underneath the surface that can pull you under
- When running or walking next to the water, stay clear of the edges. Riverbanks and cliff edges may be unstable and give way
- If you find yourself in trouble in the water, float to live. Do not panic and float on your back until the effects of cold water shock pass. When the cold water shock has passed, swim to the edge or call for help
- If someone else is in trouble in the water, don’t enter the water yourself – even if you are a strong swimmer. Call 999 immediately and ask to speak to the fire service and ambulance. Shout to the person in the water “swim to me!”. The water can be disorientating and this can give them focus. If there are lifebelts or throw lines nearby, use them.
Camping and Caravanning:
- Set up tents at least six metres apart and away from parked cars
- Avoid open fires in the countryside – only use barbecues in designated areas and never leave them unattended
- Place your cooking area well away from the tent
- Keep your cooking areas clear of items that catch fire easily for example long, dry grass
In the Garden:
- Avoid bonfires in extremely hot and dry conditions
- Only use barbecues on level ground, and make sure it is well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs and long grass
- If having a barbecue, always keep a hose or bucket of water to hand
- Do not use gas or electric weed burners in your garden during conditions when the ground and foliage is dry – use alternative weed control methods, such as chemical weed killers or manual weeding instead
Wildfires and Agricultural Fires:
- Store hay and straw in separate buildings and at least 10 metres apart
- Store petrol, diesel and other fuels in a secure area
- In an emergency, do not attempt to tackle the fire yourself – evacuate the area, call 999, give a landmark to help locate the fire and describe the type of fire
- For more advice for landowners and agricultural businesses, see our Farmland Safety and Fire Prevention booklet
Read more safety information on our website.