West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is sharing urgent safety messaging ahead of the UK’s third heatwave of the year which is expected this week.
An amber heat-health alert is in effect from 8 July at 9am until 12 July at 9pm for the South East.
With temperatures forecast to climb into the 30 degrees Celsius’, coupled with the extremely long spell of dry weather, residents and those visiting the county must take extra care to avoid accidentally starting a wildfire.
The fire service is urging people to:
Leave disposable barbecues to cool for several hours and douse them in water before putting them in the bin.
Dispose of cigarettes responsibly and ensure they are fully extinguished.
Keep barbecues well away from sheds, trees or shrubs and keep them on a flat surface.
Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies.
Keep glass (such as bottles) and mirrors away from sunlight – including objects in the view of windows.
Take litter home.
Consider having a picnic instead of a barbecue.
If you discover a fire, move to a place of safety and call 999 immediately.
Heatwaves can be a critical issue for water safety in the summer, with more people heading to waterways to cool off. We want people to enjoy the water safely, but drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in the UK.
If heading to the beach, choose a spot with a lifeguard and look out for rip currents.
Avoid entering the water when under the influence, or after eating a large meal.
Always make sure there is someone you know on the shore, with access to a mobile phone, keeping an eye out for you.
Enter the water slowly to avoid cold water shock.
If you notice signs of cold-water shock, try to regulate your breathing and float on your back.
Nathan Cross, Head of Prevention at West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: “We know that the people will want to enjoy this exceptionally warm weather and make lots of memories outdoors with their loved ones.
“However, it is important that this is done safely as during periods of dry and sustained warm weather, the chance of wildfires spreading rapidly is high. Being a predominantly rural county, we have a lot of countryside and green spaces that need protecting.
“We are urging people to play their part in preventing devastating incidents from happening.
“Already we have seen many news articles about people who have died after getting into trouble in open water during the previous two heatwaves. Please familiarise yourselves with the RNLI’s Float to Live video, and share this with young family members too, as it really is life-saving information.”
For more advice, visit our summer safety page.
