Do you live on a boat? You need to read this advice… by Admin | Gloucester News Centre - http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk/
29th – 4th is National Boat Fire Safety Week: Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is holding fire safety events, essential for people living on or owning a boat.
In the past 20 years, 30 boaters have been killed in boat fires and another 30 lost their lives to the ‘silent killer’ carbon monoxide.
GFRS firefighters will be teaching vital safety checks and showing residents how to prevent fire and carbon monoxide risks on a boat, as well as demonstrating what to do in the event of a fire.
Most boat fires occurring locally happen in the early hours of the morning, so the team are keen to teach people how to perform bedtime safety checks.
Firefighters will be at the following locations to make sure as many residents as possible can attend:
29th May: Saul Junction, Slimbridge
31st May: Gloucester Docks, Monk Meadow Basin
2nd June: Lydney Harbour
3rd June: Tewkesbury Marina, River Avon
4th June: Lechlade Marina
GFRS is also working with harbour masters and lock keepers across the county to reach members of the boating community. The team particularly hope to work with anyone who lives in a boat throughout the year, to help prevent the increased risk of fire during colder months. Any activities involving boats will always have the ever present risk of falling into water, so #BeWaterAware #dontdrinkanddrown.
Nick Worthington from Canals and Rivers Trust at Gloucester Docks said: “We want everyone to be able to relax and enjoy spending time on the water. Learning basic safety advice brings peace of mind and should be considered an essential on anyone’s to-do list before setting off on a boat.
“This is an excellent initiative from the fire service, and I would like to thank everyone involved in Boat Safety Week for making our canals and waterways a safer place.”
Residents can find fire safety advice on www.glosfire.gov.uk/boatsafety.
Stewart Edgar, chief fire officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Boat safety week is a great opportunity to highlight basic safety tips to help people enjoy the beautiful river and canal networks here in Gloucestershire.
“By working with our partners, we are focussing on the boating community throughout the summer to ensure people have a fun, safe time whilst on their boats.”
Cllr Nigel Moor, cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Most boat fires are preventable, and our firefighters are using Boat Fire Safety Week to remind people of some simple steps that could prevent a fire from starting.
“If you live on a boat or are taking a boat holiday this summer, please attend and help us save lives by telling others that these events are taking place.”
To book a Safe and Well visit from the fire service please call 0800 1804140
Follow us on Twitter @glosfire #boatfiresafetyweek
Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk
