Top three causes of December house fires in Northamptonshire revealed

Illustration of a flame
Don’t leave candles burning when you leave the room.

You should always keep an eye on naked flames wherever they are!

Faulty electrics (appliances, wiring and overloaded sockets) cause around 6,000 fires in the home across the country every year. For some handy tips, watch the following short video (courtesy of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service):

How to avoid electrical fires

Make sure an electrical appliance has a British or European safety mark when you buy it.
Certain appliances (washing machines, etc.) should have a plug socket to themselves, as they are high powered.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and look for the CE mark that indicates chargers comply with European safety standards, ensure your furniture has the fire-resistant permanent label.
Check and replace any old cables and leads, especially if they are hidden from view.
Unplug appliances when they’re not in use.
If using a charger (for example for a phone or laptop) do not leave it plugged in and switched on when it’s not in use or while you’re asleep
Secure portable heaters, remember not to put them close to bedding, curtains, soft furnishings or clothes and never use them for drying clothes
Store electric blankets flat, rolled up or loosely folded to prevent damaging the internal wiring and unplug blankets before you get into bed, unless they have a thermostat control for safe all-night use.
Never buy second-hand blankets.
Read the electric blanket safety leaflet (produced by Electrical Safety First) for more information.

An extension lead or adaptor will have a limit to how many amps it can take, so be careful not to overload them to reduce the risk of a fire, try and keep to one plug per socket. Appliances use different amounts of power – a television may use a 3 Amp plug and a vacuum cleaner a 5 Amp plug for example. To check if your plug sockets are overloaded use the handy socket calculator.

The most common cause of fire death in the home is smoking. If you or someone in your home smokes, there are a number of simple steps you can take to prevent a fire from happening in your home:

Fire safety tips for smokers

Ensure you have a working smoke alarm on every floor of your home (more advice on smoke alarms can be found on our smoke and carbon monoxide alarms page)
Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs, or if you have been drinking
Do not smoke in bed
Always use a proper ashtray – never a wastepaper basket and make sure your cigarette is properly extinguished
Always keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children
Never leave a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe lying around – put them out, right out!
If you can do so safely, smoke outdoors

E-cigarettes fire safety tips

There have been a number of incidents in the UK caused by e-cigarettes or their chargers. To help reduce the risk, follow these safety tips:

Never leave e-cigarettes that are on charge unattended for long periods
Do not mix components of different e-cigarettes
Only use the charger supplied
Ensure you purchase your e-cigarette from a reputable source
Check the e-cigarette carries CE certification

If you’re at home more currently due to working from home, an illness or self-isolating, please take extra care when you’re cooking, around half of home fires are caused by cooking accidents.

Here are some tips to prevent them and to keep you safe. If you are concerned that you or a family member are becoming forgetful or confused about cooking, we can give you further advice. Please visit our home safety visits page for more information on how you can carry out your own home safety check or how you can arrange for one of our home safety check visits. A helpful video has been provided by our colleagues at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service on how to stay safe whilst cooking.

How to cook safely

Don’t leave your cooking unattended and don’t leave children in the kitchen alone when cooking
Avoid cooking when under the influence of alcohol
Keep flammable items away from the cooker and hob
Take care with electrics and keep leads and appliances away from water
Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and avoid the build-up of fats
Don’t put anything metal in the microwave
Take care when cooking with hot oil – it sets alight easily
If oil starts to smoke – it’s too hot, turn off the heat and leave it to cool, use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer to prevent this

What to do if the pan catches fire:

Never throw water over it
Turn off the heat if it’s safe to do so and do not move the pan
Do not tackle the fire yourself
Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999

Applications will only be considered if all of the following criteria are met:

You must be 18 years old (or older) at the point of application
You must live in Northamptonshire
You must have a full driving licence valid for the UK due to the possibility of travelling between stations for cover work
You must be able to permanently live and work in the UK without any restrictions
You must be able to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Please note: If you are successful and do not possess the requisite qualifications in Maths and English, you will be supported and required to undertake the level 2 Maths and English qualification. You will also need to study for and pass the Institute of Fire Engineering (IFE) level 2 Operations Exams.

View our comprehensive FAQs on full time firefighter recruitment by clicking here.

Stage 1 – Initial application form

The first stage of our recruitment process is for applicants to complete an initial application form which will be available on our website once the recruitment campaign has commenced. This will include a behavioural questionnaire and a situational judgement test.

Stage 2 – Online assessments

On successfully passing stage 1, applicants will progress to undertake the following online assessments:

Numerical reasoning
Verbal reasoning
Mechanical reasoning

Stage 3 – Job Related Tests (JRTs)

On successfully passing stage 2, applicants will progress to undertake JRTs which may comprise of the following:

Multi-stage fitness test (bleep test)
Casualty evacuation
Equipment carry
Equipment assembly
Enclosed space test wearing Breathing Apparatus (BA)
Hose running
Ladder lift simulator
Ladder climb
Ladder extension

More details on the above tests are available on our website.

Stage 4 – Interview

On successfully passing stage 3, applicants will be invited to an interview which will focus on the following:

Effective communication
Openness to change
Working with others
Commitment to excellence
Commitment to diversity and integrity
Personal impact

Stage 5 – Medicals/fitness test

On successfully passing stage 4, applicants will be required to attend a medical and fitness test with our Occupational Health provider.

Stage 6 – Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and employment checks

Before an offer of employment is confirmed, the Service will apply for a DBS check. Pre-employment background checks will also be requested such as references and eligibility to work in the UK.

Please note: If you are successful and do not possess the requisite qualifications in Maths and English, you will be supported and required to undertake the level 2 Maths and English qualification. You will also need to study for and pass Institute of the Fire Engineering (IFE) level 2 Operations Exams.

The role of a firefighter is far more than just responding to fires and other emergencies, such as animal rescues, flooding and water rescue incidents.

Providing education programmes and safety messages to local schools, businesses, community groups and residents is an essential part of the firefighter’s role in helping to prevent accidents and limiting the injury potential of those that do occur.

Following initial training, firefighters undertake continuous development training and have the opportunity to train for different skill sets.

For information visit the Fire Service website.

Below are descriptions of the JRTs that you may be asked to complete as part of the recruitment process:

Breathing Apparatus (BA)
Casualty evacuation
Dead lift
Equipment assembly
Equipment carry
Hose running
Ladder ascent
Ladder extension
Ladder lift
Non-assessable ladder extension

Click on the links below to find out more about our recommended fitness and exercise routines:

Understanding the fitness programme
Building up a foundation
Developing your strength
Getting stronger and increasing conditioning
Reducing the risk of injury when exercising

Be carbon monoxide aware

Never use disposable barbecues, camping stoves, camping heaters, lanterns, or charcoal grills or disposable barbecues inside as using these indoors can cause CO poisoning
Fumes can still be present many hours after you have used them – levels high enough to result in CO poisoning
Opening tent flaps, doors or windows is insufficient to prevent the build-up of CO concentrations from these devices

Ashley Hunt

When it comes to caring for the local community, on-call firefighter Ashley Hunt is an example of someone who has really gone the extra mile.

The 29-year-old not only carries out on-call firefighting duties at Earls Barton and Wellingborough Fire Stations, but he does all of this alongside his other busy role as a manager at Morrison’s Supermarket.

When the first pandemic lockdown happened, Ashley went even further in his duties as an on-call firefighter, by volunteering to take on the extra roles of ambulance driving and pharmacy deliveries to those shielding.

Ashley joined Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) four years ago, having been inspired by two members of his own family.

He said: “My uncle was a wholetime firefighter at Mereway and my dad was an on-call firefighter at Wellingborough. I definitely looked up to them.” Ashley said that some of his earliest memories were of his father responding to calls and it was his care for the community that drove him to follow in his footsteps.

Taking on extra duties during the pandemic was something that seemed a natural step for Ashley.

“I wanted to provide this extra support as I just wanted to do what I could to help people during the pandemic, and I wanted to learn more about joint working, working alongside other organisations such as ambulances and I wanted to help other services. I wanted to become more knowledgeable about what others were doing and how they were supporting the pandemic.”

Ashley appreciated the learning opportunities he was given through working so closely with other organisations as an on-call firefighter. Being able to do something for shielding patients who were so isolated from other people was also something he found rewarding.

He said: “Helping people when they need us and seeing how grateful they are for that help is very rewarding.”

With support from his employers at Morrison’s, balancing supermarket duties with work as an on-call firefighter has been straightforward.

He said: “Balancing my work at Morrison’s has been made easier by the fact I have a very supportive manager and he allows me to support my community. We have been busy with the pandemic, but he has allowed me to stay available as much as I possibly can.”

For anyone thinking about becoming an on-call firefighter, Ashley has some words of advice.

“If you think you would like to support your community by becoming an on-call firefighter, just do it. You are fully trained to attend everything from road traffic collisions to fires and there are few other jobs like it. It is a paid role you can take on alongside another job, but it is rewarding in many other ways too, in the work you are able to carry out to keep people in your community safe.”

Helen Pilkington

Green-fingered Helen Pilkington is one of the most recent on-call firefighters to join Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, balancing this work with her “day job” as a gardener.

Helen, who supports Rothwell Fire Station, joined the Service in 2019; little knowing her first year would be quite an eventful one for the service, and the country as a whole.

But during the pandemic, Helen carried out extra duties as part of her work as an on-call firefighter, making pharmaceutical deliveries to shielding patients and carrying out ambulance driving for East Midlands Ambulance Service.

She said: “Working within the community, people are always grateful we are there and it is rewarding. With the pharmacy runs, we dropped off medicines for people who couldn’t get out of their houses. They were really grateful.

I also started doing the ambulance driving, which was organised through the Fire Service and East Midlands Ambulance Service. We are all helping each other out.

It was something I thought would be possible now I had extra time off work throughout lockdown. I am trained now in immediate emergency care through my role at the fire service and thought this would be an opportunity to utilise my time and skills for the good of the community and inter agency collaboration.

I think taking on these roles made people think about how, as firefighters, we do so much more than just put fires out.”

Helen is also a busy mum of one but when her son went to junior school she decided she would have more time to join NFRS as an on-call firefighter.

She said: “When my son joined junior school I started having more time for myself and I wanted to do something completely different. I have lived in Rothwell for six years and wanting to do something for my local community was one of the factors.

When my son was in infant school, I remember that the fire service delivered a talk to his class on ‘stop, drop and roll’, which is the advice given to people if their clothing catches fire. He came back from school and that visit made such a big impact on him. They were only there for one afternoon but he talked about it for a few weeks. This is what made me think, ‘I would like to do something like that.’”

Helen now enjoys being a trained on-call firefighter and manages to balance this well with both self-employment and parenthood.

She said: “I have loved joining the fire service as an on-call firefighter. I enjoy being part of a team. I’m self-employed so usually I work on my own all of the time. In the fire service, everyone looks after each other and there is really good team support.

Joining the Fire Service has been everything I expected it would be and more. The most challenging thing about it is the development and you are always learning but it is good for my brain.

This job really gets you out in the community and gives you a whole different perspective on how the emergency services work.

I get so much from my work with the fire service. You are giving something up, your time, to take on on-call duties but it is never a chore.”

We are currently not recruiting for full time firefighters.

Please continue to check this page for any updates relating to upcoming recruitment opportunities.

Don’t plug too many plugs into a socket.
This can cause an electrical fire.

Never touch the oven or fireplace unless a grown up is with you.

Image result for oven clipart

Ask a grown up to check the smoke alarms once a month.

Never take the batteries out when it goes off by accident, you might forget to put them back in.

Fires on boats have killed 30 boaters in the last 20 years. Most fires are preventable; follow our tips and advice on how to protect your boat and crew from fire, and what to do should a fire break out. The video below is courtesy of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service:

Boat safety advice

Fit a bubble type gas leak indicator in the LPG cylinder locker
Fit a Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm suitable for marine use that meets the EN50291-2 standard
Keep the cooking area clean for safety
Keep cabin ventilation clear to prevent a build-up of toxic CO
Check stoves, flues and surrounding areas for damages and repair or replace immediately
Have your chimney swept regularly
Use a proper, stable ashtray for cigarettes
Take extra care with lit candles, don’t leave them unattended and only use secure holders
Make sure you check and maintain your boat’s fuel, gas and electrical systems on a regular basis
Have gas and electric appliances properly installed and serviced routinely by competent fitters
Make an emergency plan with everyone on board before you set out
Have enough life jackets for everyone on board, and keep them in good condition
Only consider tackling a fire with an extinguisher or fire blanket if you are confident using them; if in doubt, evacuate the boat
If you are inland or moored near to land and you have a fire, move everybody off the boat and call 999 immediately
If you are off-shore and you have a fire, move as far away from the fire as you can on deck, get everybody into life jackets and call for help
visit the Boat Safety Scheme website for further advice and guidance

Visit our home fire safety page for advice on how to check your home. We have a checklist available to download and you will also find how to apply for a visit should you need more help.

During the school holidays, and in particular in hot weather, an increasing number of children put themselves at risk of drowning.

To keep yourself safe, when you are in, on or beside water, always follow the Water Safety Code.

Spot the dangers! Water may look safe, but it can be dangerous. Learn to spot and keep away from dangers. You may swim well in a warm indoor pool, but that does not mean that you will be able to swim in cold water.

The dangers of water include:

Hidden currents
It can be deep
No lifeguards
Very cold temperatures
It is difficult to estimate depth
Water pollution may make you ill
It can be difficult to get out (steep slimy banks)
There may be hidden rubbish like shopping trolleys or broken glass

Please refer to the National Water Safety Signs to help you keep safe near open water.

For further information and advice on what you should do if you do get into trouble in open water or falling through ice, please visit the sites below:

http://www.rlss.org.uk/

http://www.rospa.com/leisure-safety/water/advice/

Unfortunately, the very features that provide this fast response can also produce unwanted signals arising from activities other than a real fire.

These can prove both costly both to the Fire Service, by initiating unnecessary turnouts of fire appliances and to the building operator. Evacuation of a building as a result of a false alarm signal can result in loss of production and general disruption of normal business activities.

Visit our Unwanted Fire Signals page for more details on our unwanted fire signal reduction policy.

Follow the simple rules

Compliance with the simple rules below will help to release the fire service for more essential duties.

Automatic fire alarm rules (PDF 160KB)

They may also help to save you from the permanent loss of business so frequently associated with a major fire.

The safety of your building and its occupants can be greatly enhanced by the installation of an Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm System. If properly used and maintained, the automatic system can be a significant factor in reducing the risk to life, and the limiting of damage to your property.

Enforcement action varies from educating and informing, notification of defects to be rectified, agreeing an action plan, an enforcement notice, an alterations notice, a prohibition notice or possible prosecution.

If you have made your assessment but we think you need to take further action, we will discuss this with you and highlight specific areas of concern.

It is, however, the responsible person’s duty to identify and take appropriate measures to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. See the Public Register of Enforcement Action.

Enforcement action varies from educating and informing, notification of defects to be rectified, agreeing an action plan, an enforcement notice, an alterations notice, a prohibition notice or possible prosecution.

If you have made your assessment but we think you need to take further action, we will discuss this with you and highlight specific areas of concern.

It is, however, the responsible person’s duty to identify and take appropriate measures to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. See the Public Register of Enforcement Action.

We have responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. As part of this role we visit a number of premises to carry out a risk based inspection program.

If your premises are selected for a visit you will be required to present a fire risk assessment and emergency plan to one of our Fire Protection Officers (FPO)s and explain the contents.

If, when we visit, you have not completed a fire risk assessment you may have committed an offence under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which may lead to enforcement action being taken.

Make sure you carry out a continuous fire risk assessment of your building ensuring the following points are followed:

Never obstruct sprinkler heads and fire detectors
Unsafe storage of waste packaging and pallets is a fire risk
Never leave waste containers close to buildings
Remove all sources of ignition wherever possible
Ensure that flammable liquids are stored safely
Make sure that machinery and equipment is maintained

Download the documents below for assistance with completing your risk assessment:

If you feel, having read the guidance, that you:

Do not have an appropriate knowledge or understanding of fire safety and the risk to people from fire to comply effectively with the legislative requirements.
Are unable to invest sufficient time and resources to do justice to this important task.

You will need to appoint a specialist to carry out the risk assessment for you. Such a specialist must identify the fire safety measures that need to be in place. You should maintain close involvement in the process.

The Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council have produced a document (Guidance Choosing a Competent Fire Risk Assessor) for information on how to select an appropriate person or organisation to carry out the risk assessment on your behalf.

The guide and other helpful documents are available via the link below:

Fire Industry Association – Guidance Choosing a Competent Fire Risk Assessor

You can’t see it, taste it or smell it but it can kill quickly and with no warning. Unsafe gas appliances produce a highly poisonous gas called carbon monoxide (CO). It can cause death as well as serious long-term health problems such as brain damage.

Carbon monoxide poisoning – what are the symptoms?

Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, dizziness and loss of consciousness.

Carbon monoxide symptoms are similar to flu, food poisoning, viral infections and simply tiredness. That’s why it’s quite common for people to mistake this very dangerous poisoning for something else.

Other signs that could point to carbon monoxide poisoning

Your symptoms only occur when you are at home and disappear or get better when you leave home and come back when you return.
Others in your household are experiencing symptoms (including your pets) and they appear at a similar time.

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when you breathe in even small amounts of the gas.
When you breathe in carbon monoxide, it gets into your blood stream and prevents your red blood cells from carrying oxygen. Without oxygen, your body tissue and cells die.
Levels that do not kill can cause serious harm to health when inhaled over a long period of time. Long term effects of carbon monoxide poisoning include paralysis and brain damage.

Signs that carbon monoxide could be in your home

The flame on your cooker, fire or boiler should be crisp and blue, yellow or orange flames mean you need to get your appliances checked.
Soot or dark staining around or on appliances.
Pilot lights that frequently blow out.
Increased condensation inside windows.

If you have a faulty appliance in your home, it could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Get it checked as soon as possible by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Why should I get a carbon monoxide alarm?

Because carbon monoxide has no taste, smell or colour you should fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm in your home.
While an alarm will alert you to carbon monoxide in your home, it is no substitute for using a Gas Safe registered engineer.
A carbon monoxide alarm looks similar to a smoke alarm and is very easy to fit by following the manufacturer’s instructions. You can purchase a carbon monoxide alarm for around £15 at your local DIY store, supermarket or from your energy supplier.
Before purchasing a carbon monoxide alarm, always make sure it is officially approved to BS:EN50291:2001 or BS:EN50291:2010. It must have a British or European approval mark on it, such as a Kitemark.
You are particularly at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning while sleeping, as you may not be aware of early carbon monoxide symptoms until it’s too late. Do not use the ‘black spot’ detectors that change colour when carbon monoxide is present. These will not make a sound to wake you up if the poisonous gas is present while you are sleeping.

For further information and to find a register of qualified gas engineers, please go to the Gas Safe website.

Fit at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home.
Standard battery operated alarms are the cheapest option, but the batteries need to be replaced every year – remember to regularly test your alarms.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for fitting the smoke alarm.
A heat alarm can be used in the kitchen instead of a smoke alarm. Instead of detecting smoke these alarms are sensitive to changes in temperature and so won’t give false alarms from cooking fumes.
Test all of your smoke alarms when you install them and then at least once a month by pressing the button until the alarm sounds.
If your alarms need batteries buy good quality ones, longer life batteries are better. If any of your smoke alarms have a one year battery, make sure it is changed every year.
Only take the battery out when you need to replace it; never disconnect or take the batteries out of your alarm if it goes off by mistake.
Testing smoke alarms tests the smoke sensor as well as the power supply and/or battery
If the alarm does not sound when tested, the battery needs to be replaced; if the alarms starts to beep on a regular basis with no signs of fire, you need to replace the battery immediately.

It it is difficult for you to fit smoke alarms yourself, ask a friend or family member to help you.

Living in shared or rented accommodation

If you are a tenant and rent your property, your landlord or housing provider have a legal responsibility to ensure you have working alarms at the start of your tenancy. For more information, please read the information within the fire safety in shared or rented accommodation guidance leaflet (Gov.uk).

Smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing

Strobe lighting and vibrating pad alarms are available for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. It may be useful to consider if other types of alerters would also be helpful in daily living. Alerters can often be linked to one system rather than needing lots of different pieces of equipment.

Contact the ‘Action on Hearing Loss’ information line on 0808 808 0123 or textphone 0808 808 9000 or visit their website for further information.

If you store large amounts of possessions in and around your home, it means that a fire has a greater risk of spreading, and it may be more difficult to escape quickly. You can help keep yourself safe from fire by ensuring you have a fire escape plan (see next section).

If you feel that you need some help or assistance with the above, there are many organisations that will support you through the process free of charge.

For details, go to the Help for Hoarders website where you can also download a helpful tips leaflet provided by the London Fire Brigade

You are more at risk from a fire when asleep. Most fires start in the kitchen or the lounge, so it’s a good idea to follow the bedtime checklist below before you go to sleep.

Example checklist (Gov.UK) (found within the ‘Fire safety in the home’ leaflet on page 23)

We want you, your family, friends and neighbours to be safe from fire in your home. To help you do this, watch the following short video (courtesy of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service) which will highlight the risks in your home room by room and give you some advice on how to make it safer: Home safety video.

Print out the HFSC Self Checklist (PDF 437KB) or open it on your PC, tablet or smartphone.
Walk from room to room highlighting risks and use the advice points to make it safer.
If you want further advice use your PC, tablet or smartphone to follow the links to more safety information on our website.
Once you have done the check make sure everyone in the home is aware of the risks and what to do about them.
Make sure everyone in the home knows the escape plan and what to do in the event of a fire.
Practice the escape plan together to make sure it works and everyone knows it.
Share our links and advice with those you care about it and help them to stay safe too.
Visit our news page regularly to stay up to date with fire safety information.

If you have children why not make it fun and get them to help you spot the risks so that they develop an understanding about fire safety.

Drink driving, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while at the wheel are the four primary causes of fatal and serious injury collisions in the UK.

In Northamptonshire, the Fire Service assists the Safer Roads Team and Highways Team to carryout ongoing campaigns to tackle each of these four hazards. Here are some points to remember:

Drink driving:

Don’t drink and drive. The only safe limit is none
You can still be over the limit the morning after
A drink driving conviction will stay on your licence for 11 years

Speeding:

Speeders can be fined up to 150 per cent of their weekly income, rather than the current 100 per cent.

Keep to the speed limit; it could mean the difference between life and death

Drive appropriately for the conditions; slow down when there is bad weather

Don’t assume it is safe to break the speed limit on rural roads because there is less traffic. There can be more hazards

Seatbelts:

Always wear a seatbelt, and make sure any passengers you are carrying are wearing a seatbelt
Make sure children are in the appropriate car/booster seat and strapped in correctly
Spending just one minute checking everyone is strapped in correctly could mean the difference between life and death

Mobile phone use:

If you’re caught using a handheld phone while driving, you will get six penalty points on your licence and a fine of £200. The increase in penalty points would mean an immediate ban for newly-qualified drivers who have a ceiling of six points for the first two years after passing the test.

Don’t use your mobile phone while driving – switch it off before you set off
Never call anyone if you know they are driving, and hang up if you call someone who answers and you realise they are driving
No conversation, text message or online post is more important than someone’s life

Every driver has the responsibility of driving safely and to the rules of the road.

For more road safety advice, see http://think.direct.gov.uk

The Green Cross Code may have been launched in the 1970s, but it still holds some key messages for pedestrians when it comes to road safety.

First find the safest place to cross

If possible, cross the road at: subways, footbridges, islands, zebra, puffin, pelican or toucan crossings, or where there is a crossing point controlled by a police officer, a school crossing patrol or a traffic warden.
Otherwise, choose a place where you can see clearly in all directions, and where drivers can see you.
Try to avoid crossing between parked cars and on sharp bends or close to the top of a hill. Move to a space where drivers and riders can see you clearly.
There should be space to reach the pavement on the other side.

Stop just before you get to the kerb

Do not get too close to the traffic. If there is no pavement, keep back from the edge of the road but make sure you can still see approaching traffic.
Give yourself lots of time to have a good look around.

Look all around for traffic and listen

Look all around for traffic and listen.
Look in every direction.
Listen carefully because you can sometimes hear traffic before you can see it.

If traffic is coming, let it pass

Look all around again and listen.
Do not cross until there is a safe gap in the traffic and you are certain that there is plenty of time.
Remember, even if traffic is a long way off, it may be approaching very quickly.

When it is safe, go straight across the road – do not run

Keep looking and listening for traffic while you cross, in case there is any traffic you did not see, or in case other traffic appears suddenly.
Look out for cyclists and motorcyclists travelling between lanes of traffic.
Do not cross diagonally.

For more road safety advice, see http://think.direct.gov.uk

Weather patterns in the UK usually mean that extreme conditions such as ice, snow and heavy rain can happen suddenly and can often leave drivers unprepared for what they might face on the roads.

Many drivers may fail to realise the extent to which extreme weather can affect aspects of driving such as visibility and stopping distances. Stopping distances can double in wet conditions and can increase ten-fold in ice and snow. Add to this the fact that reactions to hazards become impaired when drivers cannot see clearly, and the results can be fatal.

If possible, avoid driving in snow and other dangerous conditions such as fog, heavy rain and ice. Think about if there are any alternatives such as home-working arrangements; particularly if you live in a rural area.

Change the way you drive depending on the weather

Make sure you slow down if the road is wet, snowy or icy or if weather conditions are causing you any problems in seeing. Take corners slowly and drive more slowly if your view of the road is obscured in any way. Remember that fog can be patchy, so do not suddenly speed up when you reach a clear patch.
Do not drive too close to the vehicle in front as stopping distances are much greater in wet, icy or snowy conditions. You need enough time to stop safely.
In adverse weather, avoid harsh braking and acceleration. Take great care with any manoeuvres attempted.
Make sure you use lights whenever visibility is reduced. In dense fog, don’t forget to use front and rear fog lights, but switch them off if visibility becomes clear.
In snow and ice, use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin, but don’t let your speed become too high.
Always brake gently to avoid the wheel locking. When coming to a stop, get into a low gear earlier and let your vehicle slow down gradually.
If your vehicle skids, do not brake. Instead, ease off the accelerator and steer slightly into the direction of the skid until you feel like you have control again.
Do not attempt to cross flooded roads if you are not sure how deep the water is. Some vehicles only need about two feet of water to float.
If winds are strong, take extra care on open stretches of road and when crossing bridges. Keep your distance from motorcycles and high-sided vehicles as these can be more affected by this type of weather.
For sunny weather, make sure you keep sunglasses in the car and wear them to protect your eyes from the glare of bright sunshine.

The numbers of people choosing to cycle for fun, fitness or to get to work has increased by more than a quarter in twenty years and an incredible 3.2 billion miles are cycled on our roads every year.

Drivers should always keep on the alert for cyclists, particularly at junctions and when getting out of cars.
Motorists should always leave plenty of room for cyclists at traffic lights.
Cyclists should ensure they ride a door’s width from parked cars and should ride centrally in narrow lanes.
Drivers should make sure they indicate ahead of manoeuvring.
Advanced stop lines allow cyclists to remain visible by taking position at the front of the traffic. Drivers must stop at the first white line reached, if the lights are amber or red. Allow cyclists time and space to move off when the green light shows.
Cyclists should ride decisively and well clear of the kerb. They should be clear in looking and signalling to show drivers what they plan to do, making eye contact where possible so they know drivers have seen them.
Cyclists should avoid riding up the inside of large vehicles such as lorries or buses, where they may not be seen.
Lights should be used after dark or in poor visibility.
When cycling, it is sensible to wear clothing that is light coloured and reflective as this increases the chance you will be noticed.
Cycling helmets are recommended. This should be fastened securely and should conform to regulations.

Bikeability

Cycling is an effective sustainable mode of travel to school, however, all pupils cycling must be made aware of the need for safety and security when cycling. The National Standard Cycle Training is a progressive scheme that moves through three levels to give parents the reassurance that their children have the necessary skills and confidence to cycle to school. Children are encouraged to achieve all three levels of training. Bikeability is organised by our Highways Team in Northamptonshire. If you would like further information regarding Bikeability training please contact them on cycletraining@kierwsp.co.uk

Please visit the Think website for further information and safety tips on cycling.

Two fires a day are started by candles, and along with incense and oil burners they are one of the biggest causes of fires within the home. Follow our tips to keep you and your home safe:

- Never leave a candle unattended

- Always use a suitable holder when burning candles and incense, they should be on a heat-resistant surface, and take care with tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic

- Scented candles turn to liquid in order to release their fragrance, so always burn them in a suitable glass or metal container that can withstand the heat of the liquid and ensure that the liquid cannot leak out

- Always extinguish all candles when leaving a room, before going to bed or if the flames become too large (trim the wick to prevent the flame from becoming too large)

- Keep lit candles out of reach of children and pets

- Place candles away from curtains and other flammable items and keep burning candles away from draughts, open windows and fans

- Don’t put them under shelves and make sure there’s at least one metre (three feet) between a candle and any surface above it

- Do not burn a candle longer than the manufacturer recommends

- Avoid lighting candles when alcohol is being consumed

- Use a proper snuffer to put them out as blowing them out can send sparks and hot wax flying

- Consider an extra smoke alarm in the rooms that candles are being burnt in

- Consider using battery-operated candles that give the ambience of the real thing, but are a lot safer

If your application is successful you will be required to attend an initial training course at the Fire Service College which is based in Gloucestershire.

For more information please click here.

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