Latest news with #firesafety
BBC News
19 hours ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Cambridgeshire fire service records five-year high in incidents
A fire service has said incidents across the county have been at a record five-year and Fire Rescue Service (CFRS) said it attended to more than 160 fires in March, compared with 111 the previous year, and more than 200 fires in April, compared with 131 in 2024. It recorded a 13% increase in incidents overall in the last 12 months, with 1,911 across the Ball, the head of community fire safety at the service, said: "This is a sharp rise and certainly a cause for concern." The service added the five-year average for incidents recorded for March was about 135 and 162 for April. CFRS said many of these fires had happened in a house, mostly starting in the kitchen due to cooking or from appliances. It added its firefighters had responded to 200 outdoor fires over this period of time, many of which were started attended a fire recently in Huntingdonshire involving a vanity mirror, which reflected the sunlight and had started a fire that caused significant damage. Mr Ball said: "One way residents can help keep themselves and their families safe in their homes is to use our online home fire safety check tool."We often see fires increase as the weather changes, with people getting their gardens ready for the summer."We have seen a few incidents recently where appliances, such as air fryers, are being heated up by a hob being accidentally switched on."There are precautions people can take to help reduce the risk of a deliberate fire."Things like making sure that lighters and matches are kept well out of reach of children, as well as making sure [children] stay clear of disused or derelict buildings, can also make a big difference." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
CTV News
21 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Ottawa Fire Services marks 20 years of ‘Wake Up!' program promoting smoke alarms
Ottawa firefighters will be going door to door this week at homes across Ottawa to check for working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and to raise awareness about fire safety. This year marks the 20th anniversary of a devastating blaze in the capital and the push since to promote smoke alarms in all homes. In April 2005, a fire at the Mekong Grocery store on Somerset Street West in Chinatown claimed the lives of five members of the Thach family. The building did not have working smoke alarms at the time. Mekong Grocery fire 2005 Fire footage of fatal 2005 fire at the Mekong Grocery on Somerset Street West. (CTV News Ottawa) Then-Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Montone tasked now-retired Fire Prevention Officer Ivan Tanner with finding a way to prevent such a loss from happening again. Tanner created the 'Wake Up!' program, which sees firefighters visiting residents across Ottawa, to ensure people have working smoke alarms in their homes. 'It was one of the most serious fatal fires in our city's history. Something had to be done,' Tanner said in a video shared by Ottawa Fire Services on social media. 'Working smoke alarms give you the best chance to escape a fire alive.' The story behind the 'Wake Up! Ottawa' program — a response to tragic loss in 2005, now with more than a quarter of a million visits to protect our residents. #Ottawa #SmokeAlarmsSaveLives — Ottawa Fire Services (@OttFire) June 1, 2025 Twice a year, firefighters visit homes in Ottawa to inspect and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, install new alarms or batteries, where required, and share information on fire safety and escape planning, all of it at no cost to residents. Visits will take place this week, June 2 to 9. Uniformed firefighters will visit select residential areas for two hours between 3 and 8 p.m. on weekdays and 2 and 4 p.m. on weekends. If no one is home, firefighters will leave a door hanger with fire safety information. 'It's incredible and so gratifying to see it still going 20 years later, and to see how many people it's touched and the lives that have been saved,' Tanner said in a news release. The City of Ottawa says over the past two decades, the Wake Up! program has visited more than 264,000 homes, installed nearly 13,000 smoke alarms and replaced more than 6,500 batteries. The city also notes that since the program began, the number of homes needing smoke alarms during firefighter visits has dropped. Ontario's Fire Code requires that homes have a working smoke alarm on each floor and outside each sleeping area. For homes built after January 1, 2015, smoke alarms are also required in sleeping rooms and all smoke alarms must be interconnected and have a visual strobe light. Carbon monoxide alarms are also required outside sleeping areas if the home has an attached garage, a wood stove or a fuel-fired appliance. Smoke alarm tips The City of Ottawa says you should test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once per month. Each device should have a 'test' button. When pushed, it should beep loudly to show that it's working. Replace the batteries in your alarms once a year. The easiest way to remember to do this is to set a date. Common examples include your birthday, when clocks change for Daylight Saving Time, or 'Test Your Smoke Alarm Day' on Sept. 28. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced according to manufacturer instructions, which is usually every seven to 10 years.
The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
Charity warns of disposable vapes ‘ticking time bomb' following ban
A 'ticking time bomb' of disposable vapes is set to enter the waste system this week, risking widespread fires because of the incorrect disposal of the devices' batteries, a charity has warned. Electrical Safety First urged vapers not to 'bin the battery' following the ban on the sale of disposable or single-use vapes from June 1. A survey for the charity found almost three in five vapers (58%) plan on throwing their old vapes into their household's general waste or recycling bin, prompting fears of fires in refuse trucks and waste centres. This is despite 71% of vapers admitting that they are aware that improper disposal of vapes can cause fires. Disposable vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, which if damaged can create explosive and highly toxic fires that are almost impossible to put out – a process known as thermal runaway. However, the incorrect disposal of these vapes in the general waste system can cause bigger issues. When general rubbish or recycling is collected, vapes are often crushed, compacted, punctured or soaked in liquids. This can cause the batteries within them to overheat or ignite, leading to fires that put workers at risk, risking millions of pounds worth of damage and disruption to waste services. Even if they do not start a fire, damaged batteries release harmful chemicals and materials that can damage the environment if not recycled responsibly. Many vape retailers offer take-back services for disposable vapes. Some councils also have recycling points at household recycling centres. Consumers can check their local council's website to find out if this is available in their area. Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: 'This week we anticipate many disposable vapes will come to the end of their life following the ban. 'With reports of vapers having stockpiled these devices there is a risk that a large number of them could end up in the waste system if they are thrown out incorrectly in the household bin. 'These devices contain lithium-ion batteries that can explode or catch fire if damaged or crushed if they make their way into bin lorries, creating a ticking time bomb that puts refuse workers and communities at serious risk. 'The safest option is to recycle them properly. You can recycle them through retail take-back schemes or at a local recycling centre that has dedicated facilities.' The crackdown on the sale of the devices now makes it illegal for any retailer – ranging from corner shops to supermarkets – to sell them. The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes whether or not they contain nicotine. Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes. It follows the soaring use of disposable vapes in schools and a flood of plastic rubbish from the discarding of the devices. Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending. Censuswide surveyed 1,003 UK adults who own a disposable vape between May 22-27.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hampton Fire & Rescue offers free smoke alarms to residents
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — The Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue is offering free smoke alarms to help protect the community. As part of a free smoke alarm program, firefighters will furnish and install smoke alarms or replace batteries for any homeowners in Hampton. A working smoke alarm will immediately notify a resident of smoke or fire in their home. To request a smoke alarm, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Repairs and upgrades for schools across the county
Nearly 20 schools across Lincolnshire are to get repairs and upgrades. The government has announced funding that will be given to 18 of the county's schools. The work will start in the summer and run until next April. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "Parents expect their children to learn in a safe, warm environment. It's what children deserve." There will be urgent fire safety work at Spalding Grammar School to prevent its closure, and Westgate Academy in Lincoln will have asbestos removed. The money is part of more than £40m awarded to schools across the east Midlands, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The other Lincolnshire schools set to benefit are: Boston Grammar School Boston High School Gipsey Bridge Academy, Thornton Le Fen, near Boston The King's School, Grantham Bourne Westfield Primary Academy Little Gonerby Church of England Primary Academy, Grantham Queen Elizabeth's Grammar, Alford John Spendluffe Foundation Technology College, Alford Branston Community Academy, near Lincoln Sir Robert Pattinson Academy, North Hykeham Carre's Grammar School, Sleaford Kesteven & Sleaford High School Branston Junior Academy, near Lincoln Bassingham Primary School, near Lincoln Leadenham Church of England Primary Academy, near Sleaford Surfleet Primary School, Pinchbeck Phillipson said: "This investment is about more than just buildings – it's about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter." The government has also announced investment in hospitals including the Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, which will receive £7m for work on its electrical systems and fire safety. Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has been given about £750,000 for similar work across its sites. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "Patients and staff deserve to be in buildings that are safe, comfortable and fit for purpose." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Crumbling schools hit by leaks and cold, BBC finds Local Democracy Reporting Service
