As the weather starts to heat up, we want you to be able to enjoy the sunshine with friends and family, but with the changing weather comes some hazards that are important to keep in mind.
BBQ safety
Barbecues are common during this time of year – they’re a great way to socialise and spend time outdoors.
But remember, it’s important to:
- Keep children and pets away from the barbeque
- Have a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies
- Never pour petrol, meths or other accelerants onto a barbecue
- Never leave a barbeque unattended whilst it’s lit
- Never empty hot ashes/coals into bins – this can melt plastic bins and cause a fire
- Never use a barbeque indoors
For more information on fire safety in and around your home, please visit our Fire Safety webpage.
Cigarette butts
The way you put your cigarette out is really important. You should always use an ash tray and not put them out in the grass or throw them on the floor.
Cigarette butts need to be disposed of safely to prevent fires.
Here are some handy tips for handling your ash tray:
- You should always dispose of your ash tray when it has cooled down
- Empty the contents of the ash tray into a metal container, this will prevent the contents from relighting
- Don’t dispose of the of the ashes with household waste, as this could cause a fire
- If possible, contact your local authorities to see if there’s a designated area to dispose of the ashes
- Clean your ash tray thoroughly before using it again
Please remember, you shouldn’t be smoking in any indoor communal areas.
Pests and vermin
The warmer weather can attract insects and stray animals to food and household rubbish. Pests include mice, rats, cockroaches, wasps, fleas and squirrels.
Here are some ways to prevent pests and vermin in your home:
- Don’t leave food out and uncovered, put it in the fridge to keep it cool and fresh
- Make sure wheelie bin lids are shut properly and avoid leaving bags of rubbish outside, as this can attract pests, foxes and stray cats
- You can control pests by making sure you empty your bins regularly and clean them with disinfectant
Take a look at our handy leaflet on ways to treat pests in your home.
You can find out more about keeping your home safe on our website. If you need to report a problem, you can do it here or you can send us a message on our social media channels Facebook and X.
