Warnings after fires

Following two fires in Coalpit Heath this week, Avon Fire Service has issued advice which you can view online regarding disposable barbecues and getting out safely in the event of a fire.

Gas boiler safety

Following the tragedy in Yate last year, we had a presentation at the Area Forum about gas boiler safety. We've now been sent a link to advice on the HSE website - it's well worth a read.

Check your smoke detector

Have you had a smoke detector fitted by Avon Fire and Rescue service? Unfortunately there was a faulty batch. If you test your smoke detector and find it isn't working please call the fire service on 0800 1412561 or email technicalsupport@fireangel.co.uk for advice. The fire service can't give a definite timescale for when the faulty ones were fitted, but the problems to date relate to some that were fitted more than 6 months ago.


Of course regardless of who fitted your smoke detectors, it's worth checking them regularly.

Free child car seat safety checks

Officers from South Gloucestershire Council’s road safety team and Avon and Somerset Police are offering free child car seat safety checks at Yate Fire Station on Wednesday 9 July.

Between 8.30am and 4pm, police officers will stop vehicles carrying young people to allow the road safety team to check if child car seats are fitted correctly. They are offering these free checks to give reassurance to parents that their children are safe and secure when travelling by car.

Young passengers will also be measured to ensure they are the correct height to safely use seatbelts. The legal requirement is 135cm unless they are sitting on a booster seat.

Previous safety checks carried out in South Gloucestershire have shown that around two thirds of all child car seats are fitted incorrectly. Any parents, grandparents, childminders or carers who would like to have their child car seat checked voluntarily are welcome to stop by Yate Fire Station, Station Road, Yate, BS37 4AL between 8.30am and 4pm on Wednesday 9 July.

Summer safety advice

The Avon Fire and Rescue Service have published some summer safety advice on their website.

Child car seat safety checks in Yate

On Monday the police and South Gloucestershire Council are joining forces to carry out child car safety checks.

Between 8.30am and 4pm at Yate Fire Station, police officers will stop vehicles fitted with child car safety seats while the council's road safety team will check they are fitted correctly. Previous safety checks carried out in South Gloucestershire have shown that more than half of those checked were fitted incorrectly so the council is offering the free checks to give reassurance to parents that their children are safe and secure when travelling by car.

If you would like to volunteer to have your child car seats checked, please stop by the Fire Station on Station Road, Yate between 8.30am and 4pm on Monday 29 April.

Oil spills - what to do

Every year there are several pollution incidents in South Gloucestershire caused by faulty or badly maintained domestic heating oil pipes and tanks. Leaked oil can be very difficult and expensive to clean up. In some circumstances residents have had to move out of their houses for months because of the fumes from leaked oil.

The Environmental Protection team at South Glos has a leaflet online that gives advice on how to prevent an oil leak, what to do if you find a leak and the law relating to tanks and spillages.

Free electric blanket testing

If you've been using an electric blanket in the recent cold snap, why not get it tested for free by South Gloucestershire Council this Friday?

Blankets are being tested at Yate Library on Friday 25 January between 10.30am and 3pm. Any blankets that fail the safety test will be replaced with a new one, thanks to a grant the council has received to help keep older residents warm and well this winter.

Ring now to book an appointment on 01454 863632.

Is your home safe for winter?

Avon Fire and Rescue Service want to help you make sure you stay safe this winter. At the recent Safer Stronger Community Group meeting in Coalpit Heath they highlighted a number of services:

• Home Fire Safety Visits
• Firework safety
• Electric blanket testing - take your blankets to Yate Fire Station between 9.30am and 4pm on Friday 14 October to have them tested for free

You can also find out more on their website about other winter safety issues like chimney fires.

Free electric blanket testing

Residents in South Gloucestershire are encouraged to get their electric blankets tested for free on Tuesday 18 January at Patchway Fire Station.

South Gloucestershire Council is providing the free blanket testing in partnership with Avon Fire and Rescue Service to help prevent the risk of fire caused by old or faulty blankets. Nationally, it is estimated that old or damaged electric blankets can cause 5,000 house fires a year and older people are at greatest risk according to the charity, Age UK.

So if you, or a family member need to get your blanket tested, please book an appointment by calling 01454 863632. Testing will take place between 10am and 3pm.

Top tips for those electric blanket essentials:

1. Have your blanket checked at least every three years
2. Look out for danger signs such as fraying fabric, scorch marks, exposed elements, wetness and loose connections
3. Store blankets flat or rolled up, never folded
4. Switch blankets off at night unless they have a working thermostat control.
5. Electric blankets should carry the British Standard Kitemark and the British Electotechnical Approvals Board (BEAB), or the European safety mark
6. Never buy a second hand electric blanket.

Patchway Fire Station is on Rodway Road, Patchway.

Free testing for electric blankets

If you would like to have an electric blanket tested free of charge (normal cost £20) and can get to The Pavillion, Elm Park Filton on Friday 18th September, please book an appointment by calling 01454 863632.