Fires in the open can be devastating for the environment. Whether you’re out for a walk, having a barbecue or going camping, follow our advice to help mitigate the risk of a fire starting in the open.

Remember to take your litter home with you and properly extinguish any cigarettes. Carelessness will cause fires.

If you’re heading out to spend time in the countryside, follow the safety advice below and do your part to protect the Royal County.

• 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 the countryside. Only use barbecues in safe, designated areas and never leave them unattended;
• Don’t leave bottles or glass lying around – sunlight shining through glass can start a fire;
• If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately by calling 999.

Camping is a lot of fun but also a big responsibility. Be safe when you’re camping to help prevent wildfires.

• Set up tents at least six metres apart and away from parked cars;
• Make sure you know what the fire arrangements on the camp site are and where the nearest telephone is;
• 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;
• Put cooking appliances in a place where they can’t easily be knocked over;
• Keep matches, lighters, flammable liquids and gas cylinders out of the reach of children;
• Have an escape plan and be prepared to cut your way out of your tent if there is a fire;
• Do not use candles in or near a tent – use a torch instead;
• Do not smoke inside a tent;
• Do not leave glass bottles lying around – sunlight shining through glass can start a fire.

• Make sure the tap is turned off before changing the gas cylinder;
• Never smoke whilst changing your gas cylinder;
• If you suspect a leak, turn off the gas cylinder and try brushing soapy water around all joints, watching for bubbles.

• Pay particular attention to the fire safety guidance provided by the festival organiser;
• If in any doubt, ask the on-site staff.

Staying at home to enjoy the sun? Follow these tips to prevent a fire breaking out in your garden.

• Build bonfires well away from buildings, fences and trees;
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby;
• Check that animals are not inside the bonfire before lighting;
• Avoid building fires near roads, especially major roads or motorways;
• Do not burn aerosols, tyres, canisters or anything containing foam or paint;
• Do not use petrol or paraffin.

• Make sure your barbecue is well away from sheds, fences, trees and shrubs;
• Keep children and pets away from the cooking area;
• Set up your barbecue on level ground;
• If you have a gas barbecue always store gas cylinders outside;
• Use only approved lighter fluids and only ever on cold coals;
• Keep a bucket of water, sand, or a garden hose nearby for emergencies;
• Be careful when cooking fatty foods, the dripping fat can cause the barbecue to flare up;
• Don’t leave a lit barbecue unattended;
• Don’t cook if you’re affected by alcohol or prescription drugs;
• Don’t take a barbecue indoors – even when the flames aren’t visible, it can still give off carbon monoxide fumes, which can be deadly.

Weed Burners

Always ensure the gas is fully off and the burner is completely cool before storing, as any remaining heat could easily ignite items in close proximity.es and fertilisers securely and remember it’s critical to let us know if these products are involved in a fire due to the specific risks they pose.

We recommend that you do not use gas or electric weed burners in your garden during conditions when the ground and foliage is dry, as this can cause fire to ignite and spread quickly. Use alternative weed control methods, such as chemical weed killers or manual weeding, instead;

If you are using a weed burner, try to restrict it to weeds only;

If it comes into contact with other items, check for ignition;

Keep a garden hose or other water supply on hand to dampen the affected area;