Firefighters urge vigilance

Home and business owners are being urged to be extra vigilant as the firefighters strike enters its third day today.

The action is part of a dispute between the Fire Brigades Union and the Government over pension reforms.

Firefighters will strike between noon and 2pm and 10.59pm and 11.59pm until Saturday 16 August.

While the issue is a matter between the Fire Brigades Union and Government, every Fire & Rescue Service has a legal duty to maintain a level of service to local communities as best it can.

Area Manager Phil Martin, Head of Community Safety for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said: “The Service has contingency plans in place and ours will again be put into place ahead of these dates for industrial action. Our plans worked well during the previous period of action, but we are asking the public to help us again by taking extra care. We will continue to respond to 999 calls and do everything we can to keep the public safe.”

“You can help us again by taking extra care and time to think about fire safety in your home during this period - checking smoke alarms, ensuring you know what you would do if there was a fire and not making unnecessary calls to the fire and rescue service.”

Businesses are also reminded to be mindful of their responsibilities - it remains the responsibility of employers, landlords and other premises occupiers to comply with fire safety law.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service’s advice is to take extra care with these six steps:

• If you haven’t already got one, install a smoke alarm and test it every week
• Take extra care in the kitchen - this is where most fires start
• Check your electrical appliances - turn them off and don’t overload sockets
• If you smoke, put cigarettes out properly
• Sleep safe - check everything in your home every bedtime
• Plan a safe escape - make sure you know how to get out of your home in an emergency

Find more safety advice at www.dsfire.gov.uk.