Norfolk Fire and Rescue warns public to make safer choices
Norfolk Fire and Rescue are encouraging the public to think twice before lighting BBQs and fire pits this bank holiday weekend
Norwich Fire and Rescue are urging people to be mindful about BBQs and fire pits over the bank holiday weekend.
As we approach hotter weather and dryer ground, Mark Duff-Dick, a Station Manager in the Prevention Department at Norfolk Fire and Rescue, hopes people can make safer choices :
"We see an increase in fires when the weather improves, with incidents involving barbecues" Mark said.
"We want people to enjoy the countryside, and want them to enjoy being outside, but we also want them to do that as safely as possible"
Norwich Fire and Rescue have revealed that they responded to 551 fires in the open, between 1st March and the 31st of August last year. More than double than the year before.
Fires in the open are out door fires, that includes BBQs and fires started in forestry or dry areas.
Mark offered an alternative to BBQs for people keen to dine out doors this weekend:
"When the weather is really really dry, and temperatures increase, we would try and encourage people to go out and have a picnic, instead of a BBQ"
Norfolk Fire and Rescue believe that it is important to educate people as much as possible on the key causes of fires, and how to keep ourselves safe in the summer months.
"We want people to have at the back of their mind, safety, and what they can do to make themselves safe, So we push those key messages and educate members of the public "
The team at Norfolk Fire and Rescue also told us, they are always ready to respond to an emergency,
"its business as usual" said Mark.