Summer Safety Campaign 2014

Firefighters and community fire safety officers are giving advice on fire prevention over the next few weeks at county markets, shows, carnivals and festivals in July and August.

“Traditionally there has been a trend in Shropshire for an increase in accidental fires during the children’s school holidays,” said Sam Hamer, a member of the brigade’s community fire safety team.

The seven week campaign will be launched on Monday (July 21) with the help of catering students from Telford College of Arts and Technology who are lending their voice to the countywide public awareness campaign.

Safety is the key ingredient to preventing fires, said Sam, who praised the support of students on Telford College’s newly introduced catering course.

Throughout the campaign, firefighters and fire and rescue service personnel will be handing out leaflets and talking about fire safety.

They will be at Bishops Castle Gumbo festival on July 24; Church Stretton arts festival July 26; Oswestry Show and Clun carnival August 2; Craven Arms play day August 4; Burwarton Show August 7; Shrewsbury flower show August 8 and 9; Shrewsbury folk festival 22, 23 and 24; Bridgnorth food fair and Onslow steam rally August 24.

A display about barbecue safety will be at The Wrekin Retail Park in Telford on August 5.

Shoppers attending market days in Ludlow, Market Drayton, and Oswestry will also receive the fire safety information

But it is not just house fires that cause death and injuries. Barbecues are a potential for danger with people injured and killed due to the use of petrol or other dangerous combustibles.

The summer fire safety campaigns runs from July 21 to August 29.

During the summer months having a barbecue can be pleasurable. But it's all too easy to be distracted when you have friends and family around you whilst cooking.

Follow the safety tips below to avoid injuries or damage to your property.