Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Services help drivers return to the road after lockdown

by Passive

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Services say they have had to change their road safety education all the way through. They have now issued some hints, tips, videos and advice for people who are looking to return to driving after a couple of months off.

As lockdown eases, they want people to remember the importance of road safety and how behave while driving.

Road Safety Manager Christine Sharma said: “Since lockdown, we have had to completely rethink how we deliver road safety education. There has been a dramatic decrease in the number of road traffic collisions during the pandemic. Our worry is that we will see more and more incidents now we’re moving to the ‘new normal’. We’re encouraging all drivers to take a bit of time online – going through the advice and making sure that they’re mentally prepared to be back on the roads.”

This includes knowing the ‘fatal four’ main reasons for loss of life in road traffic collisions:

  • Use of mobile phones
  • Non-use of seatbelts
  • Excessive speed
  • Drink or drug driving

Advice also includes knowing how to use the FLOWER acronym to keep your car maintained.

In addition, they have created three new digital resources to help as many people as possible:

  • The first leaflet is for all drivers, and includes the importance of checking your vehicle’s roadworthiness, especially if affected by the current MOT exemption.
  • Leaflet two is aimed at older drivers, showing how they can prepare physically and mentally to return to the road.
  • Leaflet three addresses newly qualified drivers who won’t have been able to build up their skills and confidence since lockdown, and also looks at peer pressure.

Firefighters tackle residential London fire

by ActiveBreaking News

Firefighters are warning smokers to discard cigarettes carefully after eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a flat fire on Otto Street in Kennington.

Half of a flat on the first floor of the building was damaged by fire and the remaining part of the property suffered severe smoke and heat damage. Thirteen adults and five children were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.

The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire was caused by a cigarette being discarded from an upper floor and coming into contact with combustible materials stored on a first floor balcony.

Station Commander Ned Alexander who was at the scene said: “Firefighters have worked exceptionally hard to get this flat fire under control. The first floor flat was damaged by the blaze but crews prevented it from spreading further.

“Around 100 people self evacuated from the building and a number of other residents stayed within their flats.

“Fires caused by smoking materials including cigarettes, roll-ups, cigars and pipes, result in more deaths than any other type of fire. Stub cigarettes out properly and always dispose of them carefully.

“Make sure smoking materials are cold before emptying ashtrays. Preferably wet stubs before throwing them into a bin.”

“The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers took sixty 999 calls in the early stages.”

Firefighters’ smoking safety tips

  1. It’s safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
  2. Use proper ashtrays, which can’t tip over and stub cigarettes out properly.
  3. Never smoke in bed, and avoid smoking on arm chairs and sofas – especially if you think you might fall asleep.
  4. Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
  5. Don’t balance cigars or cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray, or anything else – they can tip and fall as they burn away and cause a fire.
  6. Don’t leave lit pipes or cigarettes unattended.
  7. Always empty ashtrays carefully. Make sure smoking materials are out, cold and preferably wet them before throwing into a bin – never use a wastepaper basket.
  8. Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach, and buy child resistant lighters.
  9. Never smoke if you use healthcare equipment like medical oxygen or an air flow pressure relief mattress. If you use paraffin-based emollient creams, ask for non-flammable alternatives instead.
  10. Consider additional safety measures such as fire retardant bedding or nightwear.

PACDA issues advice to avoid summer fires

by Middle East - Projects

The Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) has called for compliance with the requirements of civil protection in industrial facilities to avoid summer fires.

“Property damage and material losses due to fires are being caused because of the high temperatures expected during the summer and the failure of some industrial establishments in meeting requirements of civil protection,” PACDA said.

According to data published by the authority, the number of recorded fires in industrial facilities in 2019 reached 47 fire accidents, compared to 61 fire accidents in 2018, with a decrease of 23%.

In order to prevent fires in industrial installations, the PACDA has called for compliance with the requirements of civil protection, such as periodic maintenance of the facility’s fire and alarm systems, and the implementation of safety procedures in storage, and other aspects that pose a threat to the facilities, their employees and their users.

PACDA has also called for the preparation of an emergency plan for the facility and to train workers on how to implement it. They added that, “the authority is ready to provide support and assistance in preparing the emergency plan for the facilities and carrying out practical exercises to ensure the suitability of the plan with the nature and size of the facility.”