14 Aug Stay Safe in the Heat: Preventing Fires at Warfield Park 🥵♨️
Long, hot, dry spells might feel like summer bliss — but they also create perfect conditions for wildfires. Dry grass and parched foliage can ignite with just a spark, and once a blaze starts, it can spread with alarming speed. At Warfield Park, we’re committed to keeping everyone — including our precious wildlife — safe. Here’s how you can help.
Why Heat and Sunlight Can Be a Fire Risk
You might not realise it, but the sun can start fires in surprising ways. Glass objects such as mirrors, crystal ornaments, and even discarded bottles can act like magnifying lenses, focusing sunlight onto flammable materials. Indoors, that could mean curtains or soft furnishings; outdoors, it’s dry grass, leaves, or garden debris.
Top tip: Keep all glass and reflective items out of direct sunlight, and always take your rubbish home or use a public bin. Recycling where possible is even better.
Outdoor Fire Safety
In dry conditions, flames can take hold frighteningly quickly. Help protect your home, neighbours, and the surrounding countryside by following these steps:
- No littering: Don’t throw cigarette ends out of car windows — they can land in roadside grass and start a fire. Take all litter home, especially glass bottles.
- Think before you burn: Bonfires and rubbish burning are dangerous in dry weather. Keep them well away from flammable materials, vegetation, fences, and overhanging trees. If you must have a fire, keep it small and under control.
- Store materials safely: Keep combustible items away from buildings and emergency escape routes. Split up large amounts of pallets or industrial waste to reduce the risk of a major blaze, and ensure skips and bins are emptied regularly.
- Tidy up regularly: Remove dry leaves, dust, cardboard, and sticks. These can quickly ignite and help a fire spread faster.
- Flammable liquids and gas cylinders: Store them securely, away from heat and ignition sources.
Smoking Safely Outdoors
If you do smoke, be extra vigilant in dry weather.
- Make sure cigarettes are fully extinguished before disposal.
- Never drop them onto dry ground or flick them from balconies or vehicles.
- Keep matches and lighters well away from children.
Electrical Safety in Hot Weather
When temperatures rise, so does the risk of electrical fires. Here’s how to keep cool without risking your safety:
Using fans safely:
- Place them on a flat, stable surface.
- Switch off before sleeping.
- If you smell burning or hear unusual noises, turn it off immediately.
- Avoid overloading sockets and keep cables tidy to prevent trips.
- Buy electrical goods from reputable retailers — online marketplaces may sell substandard products that pose fire risks.
Lithium Battery Safety
Lithium batteries power many of our everyday gadgets — from phones and laptops to e-bikes and e-cigarettes. Used safely, they’re reliable. Used carelessly, they can be dangerous.
- Buy genuine products that meet UK safety standards.
- Charge in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight.
- Let batteries cool before charging and never cover them while charging.
- Unplug once fully charged.
- Always use the correct charger.
- Never store or charge e-bikes, scooters, or mobility aids in hallways, stairwells, landings, or balconies — they can block escape routes in a fire.
For more on battery safety, visit ChargeSafe | London Fire Brigade
Smoke Alarms Save Lives
Make sure you have smoke alarms fitted in rooms where you charge devices. Test them regularly to ensure they work — a few seconds of checking could one day save your life.
Together, we can keep Warfield Park safe this summer — for ourselves, our neighbours, and the wildlife that calls it home.
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