Thursday 24 June
11.00hrs
Firefighters from Patchway Fire Station are set to visit a
travellers’ site in the area to raise awareness of fire safety in
the home.
Crews from Red Watch will be joining Charles Waithe, from the
Avon Fire & Rescue Service Community Safety Team, for the visit
at Highwood Park, Highwood Road, Patchway.
The visit has been organised in partnership with South
Gloucestershire Council’s Gypsy and Traveller Education Team and is
part of a range of activities taking place across the Avon area as
part of Gypsy and Traveller Month.
So far travellers in Weston-super-Mare and Bedminster, have been
visited by firefighters and members of the Avon Fire & Rescue
Service (AF&RS) Community Safety Team, as part of an initiative
to promote fire safety within the community.
Watch Manager John Davies, AF&RS Community Safety Officer
for South Gloucestershire, said: “Travellers have been identified
as one of the groups most at risk from fire. Often their homes have
wood burning stoves, which can be hazardous if not looked after
properly and like many people, some travellers may not aware of how
vital working smoke alarms are.
“Working smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and
death in the event of a fire, particularly at night. They provide
an early warning that a fire has broken out, giving occupants vital
extra minutes to escape to safety.
“Not many people realise that just two or three breaths of toxic
smoke can render a person unconscious, so having a working smoke
alarm can make all the difference.”
During the visit to Highwood Park crews will talk to members of
the traveller community about fire safety and fit smoke detectors
in their homes.
Fire safety advice for members of the traveller community
includes:
- Don’t run electrics from one caravan to another.
- Don’t overload sockets, using an adaptor with a lead is much
safer.
- Avoid drying clothes on or next to a heater and ensure all
heaters are working properly.
- Make sure candles and smoking materials are fully extinguished
after use.
- Keep matches and lighters away from children.
- Take extra care when cooking with oil.
- Don’t store fuel under your home.
- Turn off any gas canisters when not in use.
If you do have a fire:
- never throw water onto a burning pan of oil as this will only
make the fire worse;
- alert everyone to the fire; and
- get out, stay out and call 999.
ENDS