The fire brigade is on standby as the risk of turf fires increases due to the heat – within Croydon
destruction: Grass fires can quickly spiral out of control, as this fire in Norbury last year showed
Firefighters are asking people to follow safety advice as the hot weather continues, with temperatures expected to be over 30C.
It follows an Amber health heat alert from the UK’s Health Security Agency, which asks people to check older family members, friends or neighbours.
The Mayor of London’s Great Spaces Map provides information on where Londoners can find places to shelter from the sun and cool off.
Thousands of Londoners are expected to flock to parks and open spaces this weekend to soak up the sun, so the London Fire Brigade is reminding everyone of the increased dangers of barbecues during this hot weather.
Some councils reasonably prohibit the use of ‘disposable’ barbecues in their parks and open spaces, although such laws are rarely enforced.
Disposable barbecues pose a significant fire hazard if not used appropriately and extinguished properly, because the heat can be retained for several hours even after the grill is turned off.
in a call: LFB teams have been traveling around London delivering their safety message
“It should also be barbecues of any kind,” says the general never Can be used indoors or on balconies. An extensive fire in a block of flats on Whitehorse Road earlier this summer was linked to the use of barbecue facilities on the balcony of one of the flats, where the outdoor platforms were mainly made of highly flammable wood. The fire destroyed two homes.
The brigade warns that barbecues “should never be left unattended, and should be kept away from anything flammable such as sheds, fences, trees or tents”.
Discarded smoking materials and leftover rubbish also pose a significant risk of fire in open spaces. The LFB is asking Londoners to ensure their rubbish is safely placed in a bin or taken home with them. The brigade also asks cigarette users to make sure they stop smoking cigarettes completely.
Charlie Pugsley, London Fire Brigade’s assistant commissioner for fire safety, said: “After a relatively cold summer, Londoners will no doubt want to get out and enjoy this spell of fine weather, but it must be done safely.”
“It only takes a spark to start a fire, and as we saw last year, grass fires can be unpredictable and spread very quickly, causing significant damage. We’ve already seen a number of grass fires this week. We’ve been working hard to prepare for and respond to weather like this but we Everyone needs to do their part to reduce the risk of fires.
Sound advice: Fiona Twycross
Fire and Resilience Deputy Mayor Fiona Twickros said: “While we enjoy the sunshine and warm weather, it is important that we all take reasonable precautions to look after ourselves and help reduce stress on our emergency services who will be very busy during this time. heat wave.
“I would urge Londoners not to hold barbecues on balconies or outdoors, to throw away rubbish safely, and to dispose of cigarettes properly to avoid accidentally starting a fire.
“And we encourage everyone in our capital to use the 4,000 free water refill sites and over 100 new water fountains we have installed as part of our work to build a greener, fairer and safer London for all.”
Hot weather may also tempt people to go to ponds and rivers, but even in warm temperatures, cold water has the potential to cause cold water shock. Just this week, an off-duty London firefighter saved a boy from drowning.
This past summer’s turf fires were an example of the new set of challenges firefighters face as a result of extreme weather caused by climate change.
Grass fire prevention tips
- Do not drop cigarettes or anything that burns on dry ground
- Do not drop cigarettes out of car windows, as they may settle on the dry grass on the side of the road
- Do not hold barbecues in parks and open spaces during hot weather
- Do not grill on balconies, as the wind may carry smoldering ash towards nearby grasslands
- Be aware that children, animals, balls, or anything else may run into the barbecue, increasing the risk of a lawn fire, especially when in crowded parks or public places.
Read more: Residents have been evacuated as a grass fire breaks out in Norbury
Read more: 12 fire engines are on standby to put out fires in the dry Croydon Hills
Read more: No injuries after a fire destroyed three apartments on Whitehorse Road
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