Winter Weather Warning

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:15:29 GMT

As the county shivers in the grip of the severe weather which has hit the country Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has a few safety tips to help keep families safe while they stay warm in the snow.

As the mercury has dropped to below freezing many people have turned to additional temporary heating sources including fire and fan heaters. As well as bringing extra heat they also bring extra risk, but as long as a few simple precautions are followed everyone can stay warm and safe.

If you plan on using an open fire, make sure your chimney has been recently swept as build-ups of soot and ash can cause chimney fires.

When going to bed, householders should also make absolutely certain that an open fire is either out, or pushed back into the grate and a guard used to prevent flying embers hitting carpets or furniture. Interior doors should always be closed when going to bed as they can dramatically reduce the spread of fire.

Portable heaters should be dust-free and kept well away from anything that could catch fire. Sockets should never be overloaded as additional fan and oil heaters are plugged in

Candles should always be placed on a non flammable surface, be away from soft furnishing like curtains and never be left unattended. It is far safer to consider using torches instead of candles.

Senior Divisional Officer Gary Fleming, Service Delivery, said: “The cold weather brings with it extra risks and the need for extra caution.

“As well as taking precautions with their heating, residents need to remember the dangers of leaving cooking unattended, as the majority of accidental domestic fires begin in the kitchen.

People should take extra care on the roads during icy weather and only travel if absolutely necessary.

“The best advice I can give is make sure that you fit, and regularly test, a smoke alarm. It is the single most important piece of safety equipment in any home.”

Although ECFRS has well rehearsed plans in place to cope, it would like to remind people not to ring the service unnecessarily.

Motorists are reminded not travel unless it is absolutely essential you do so. If you decide you must travel, remember to ensure your car is fully fuelled and that you have packed warm clothes, blankets, food and drink, and your mobile phone and in-car phone charger to allow you to communicate with your friends and relatives if you do get stuck.

In addition to the obvious hazards on the road network, please also remember the dangers of trying to walk on iced ponds and lakes – not only to you but to the people making any subsequent rescue attempts. Ice is very hard to judge, it may look safe but it isn’t, so do not attempt to walk or stand on it.

Cricket Pavilion Alight - Common Road, Stock, Ingatestone

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:15:29 GMT

Incident: 2280

Time: 06:46

In attendance: 1 x Ingatestone, 1 x Billericay, 1 x Great Baddow

Fire in a bedroom - Down Hall Close, Rayleigh

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:15:29 GMT

Incident: 2304

Time: 16:31

In attendance: 2 x Rayleigh Weir

Chimney Fire - Swan Hotel, Bullring, Thaxted

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:15:29 GMT

Incident: 2310

Time: 17:41

In attendance: 1 x Thaxted, 1 x Great Dunmow, 1 x Harlow ALP

Chip Pan Fire - Appleton Road, Benfleet

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:15:29 GMT

Incident: 2314

Time: 19:20

In attendance: 2 x Rayleigh Weir

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Winter Weather Warning

Cricket Pavilion Alight - Common Road, Stock, Ingatestone

Fire in a bedroom - Down Hall Close, Rayleigh

Chimney Fire - Swan Hotel, Bullring, Thaxted

Chip Pan Fire - Appleton Road, Benfleet