Jess Marques Williams applied to become an On-Call Firefighter in May/June 2020 and hasn’t looked back since. At 31, her life experiences go far beyond what many of us may have been exposed to and they have shaped her into a remarkable, determined and resilient woman that she is today.

Born in Hong Kong in 1990 Jess spent the first year of her life in Macau, followed by a year in England and then at four years old moved to Spain. It was in Spain where Jess, at aged 8 had to grow up fast. Her mother was taken ill and hospitalised, and over the next few years Jess and her brother experienced a very unsettled homelife.

At 14, Jess met her son’s father and embarked on a difficult relationship, that would test her resilience. Falling pregnant at 15, Jess gave birth to her son, Aquiles. After a short stay in hospital, she and Aquiles relocated 2½ hours away to the safety of a centre for young mums.
In 2010 Jess moved to England, met and married her now husband of 3 years and lives with her 14 year-old son and three step children. She works full time but wanted more; to be more active and to do something more rewarding and something that made a positive difference, but she was unsure what that was. It was whilst driving through Towcester that her husband pointed out the banner on Towcester Fire Station advertising for On-Call Firefighters, saying; “You’re strong, you could do that!”

Here, Jess shares the start of her journey with Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, she talks about the challenges she has faced and the support she has received.

What did you think when your husband first pointed out the On-Call recruitment banner?

Being a firefighter hadn’t even crossed my mind. I’m quite a petite woman and had low self-confidence, so was not sure I could fulfil the requirements of the role. But I knew that I was capable mentally and the physical side would come. My husband was totally convinced, so I contacted the Station Manager and Watch Manager to find out more. The more I heard, the more interested I became and the crew and managers I spoke with at Towcester were so welcoming and encouraging. I attended drill nights and did my research and decided to apply.

How is the On-Call training going so far?

I’m not going to lie, it’s been tough and I have questioned my ability to do the job. In fact at the end of the first day of training I burst into tears and when questioned by our instructor, I said that I felt I was holding everyone up by being much slower. I was told that that was not the case and that my confidence would grow as I progressed.

All the other trainees were men and it felt a bit intimidating, but we were all treated the same, regardless of gender, age, size or background. The instructors pushed us all with a positivity that made me realise that I could do this. It was intense with the practical training during the day and theory each evening, but the team I train with are hugely supportive, as are the instructors.
I’ve now passed the basic skills and RTC training, then in July it’s BA training at Chelveston. This is going to be hard, but I plan on pushing myself physically to ensure that I’m ready.

So how have you improved your physicality and how will you prepare for July?

I’m a pretty active person anyway and go regularly to the gym, well when I could. During lockdown I exercised at home and started running. I had a personal trainer at the gym to help me push myself and improve my fitness levels. The weights got heavier and the training got so intense, to the point of being sick, but I could feel myself getting stronger. I have also been doing pole fitness for a few years. This has really improved my core strength and I have made some of my closest friendships at these sessions.

I know I need to be in top shape before July, so the training will pick up over the next few months. I am strong now, but I am fully aware that I need to be stronger.

It’s a big commitment being an On-Call firefighter, how have you managed your day job, a family life and all the requirements of the role so far?

When you first apply, you need to provide your availability and you need to be realistic about what you can offer and stick to it as much as possible. I work from 7am until 3pm Monday to Friday and then I sign on as available overnight and at weekends. My family are incredibly supportive. My husband is around when I’m not at home and during the school holidays my son stays with my mum.

I’ve just completed my first weekend as available and had 4 Shouts. You literally have to drop everything and be at the station in 8 minutes, which can be quite challenging even though I live quite close to the fire station. But I know it’s what I’ve signed up for and what I want to do.

How do you feel when you are sat on the fire appliance on route to an incident?

When your pager goes off you don’t know what you are going to and often it’s not until you are on route in the fire appliance that you start to find out the detail. The adrenaline kicks in but when you put your kit on it gives you a sense of focus.

I was angry growing up and trusted very few people, but the training we are getting is really embedding a team spirit and helping me to trust people again. We work as a team with one objective. We support each other and play on each other’s strengths. I feel a sense of pride that I am able to make a difference in our community and I know that as I got through the challenges I faced growing up, I can get through anything.

So what are your aspirations for the next few months and years in relation to the fire service?

Well, at the moment, I just can’t wait until the day I am fully competent and become a Developed Trainee. Obviously, training doesn’t stop there, but I will have gained all the skills needed to be an active and confident member of the fire service. Would I apply for a wholetime position? I would have to undergo the full recruitment process again, but it is a possibility. I did wonder if being a woman would be detrimental to my application, but I can see that having a diverse crew brings with it multiple advantages.

I can feel my confidence growing as we progress through the training. I am finding my voice and feel able to take control of situations. We were pushed hard initially to test our commitment but that just made me even more determined to succeed and do the best job I can for my community, my colleagues and for myself.

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.”

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.”

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

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

​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 (PDF 1,054KB) 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.

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:

• Blank Fire Risk Assessment Proforma (PDF 117KB)
•  Fire Risk Assessment (worked example for office premises (PDF 462KB)
•  Fire Risk Assessment (worked example for House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)) (PDF 389KB)

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

​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.

1. ​Print out the HFSC Self Checklist (PDF 437KB) or open it on your PC, tablet or smartphone.
2. Walk from room to room highlighting risks and use the advice points to make it safer.
3. If you want further advice use your PC, tablet or smartphone to follow the links to more safety information on our website.
4. Once you have done the check make sure everyone in the home is aware of the risks and what to do about them.
5. Make sure everyone in the home knows the escape plan and what to do in the event of a fire.
6. Practice the escape plan together to make sure it works and everyone knows it.
7. Share our links and advice with those you care about it and help them to stay safe too.
8. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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