2nd June 2008
Firefighters issue bonfire warnings following Medway incident
Medway firefighters are warning against the dangers of pouring flammable liquids on bonfires after a Weedswood woman sustained serious burns on Friday.
Crew Manager Terry Carter and his colleagues attended the incident at 1.30pm on the 29th May following reports of a fire in a garden. The female was taken to hospital by Air Ambulance with second degree burns.
Terry said: “This unfortunate incident has caused much suffering for the casualty and her family and is a stark example of the dangers of pouring accelerants on bonfires. We would like to take the opportunity to warn people never do this and to take ultimate care when having a bonfire, to avoid the sort of injury and distress that we saw.”
Important tips
• A bonfire should not contain any potentially hazardous materials which may explode or give off toxic fumes, such as; aerosols, batteries, bottles, foam-filled furniture or tins of paint
• A bonfire should be kept to a manageable size and evenly built so that is collapses inwards as it burns
• Always check the bonfire’s construction is still sound prior to lighting it, that there are no children or animals inside, and that hazardous items such as aerosols and fireworks have not been thrown onto it
• The bonfire should not be lit by children or left unattended and nothing should be cooked on it
• Flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel, methylated spirits or white spirit should NEVER be poured onto the bonfire to light or revive it
Kent Fire and Rescue Service offers free home fire safety checks to identify potential fire risks and advises what to do to reduce or prevent them. The checks take about 30 minutes and include, if required, the fitting free 10-year smoke alarms. To take arrange a free Home Fire Safety Check or to find out more, simply call Kent Fire and Rescue Service for free on 0800 923 7000 or visit our website
www.kent.fire-uk.org|
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