Warm Weather Prompts Fire Safety Warning

6.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 8th May 2008

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is warning people to be extra careful not to start fires during the recent period of hot weather. Dried out grass verges and hedgerows can easily catch light if people are careless with cigarettes or don't extinguish fires or barbecues properly.

Head of Community Safety Stuart Skilton said:

"During warmer weather grass and crop fires can be serious problem for the Service and tie up a huge amount of our valuable firefighting resources. We want to encourage people to take care and think about what they're doing. For example, drivers should refrain from discarding cigarettes through car windows while driving along as this, combined with dry grass verges and hedgerows, can easily lead to fires."

He added:

"Another major problem for us is children deliberately setting fires so, if you are a parent, we urge you to warn them of the dangers of fire, as well as keeping matches and lighters out of their reach."

By following these important safety tips people can help to prevent fires starting in the first place:

• Don't discard cigarettes out of car windows as this can set light to grass verges and

grassland areas

• Don't light fires in the countryside or drop litter which could be set fire to

• Don't accumulate rubbish which can act as potential fuel for deliberate fire setters

• Contact your local district or borough council to arrange collection of unwanted furniture, or to report abandoned vehicles or fly tipped waste

• Extinguish bonfires and barbecues properly

• Keep matches and lighters out of the way of young children and remind them that they are not toys

• If you are a parent you are strongly advised not to leave youngsters to wander in the countryside unsupervised. Ensure that they are aware of the dangers of fire

• Report any information on fire setting activities and those responsible (anonymously if need be) to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.