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News Release

Issued:19.05.09

At: 9am

For immediate release

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Urges ‘Ship Shape’ Safety

Boat Fire Safety Week sets sail from 25-31 May 2009 and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) would like to take this opportunity to urge local boat owners and users to make sure that their vessels are best protected against fire.

With 450,000 motorised boats in the UK, and a growth in the popularity of narrow boat holidays and breaks, LFRS is urging the boating population to check that their boats are fitted with the most suitable and correct fire safety equipment.

Paul Speight, Community Safety Officer for LFRS, says:

“Although boat fires are less common than fires on land, they do occur and in the last year LFRS has been called out to six incidents on boats. Boats are often in remote locations with difficult access, which could result in firefighters taking longer to arrive at an incident. This is an unfortunate amount which could be avoided if the users of the vessels take on board a few basic safety tips.

Here at LFRS, we really cannot convey enough the importance of having a maintained smoke alarm fitted, and in such a small place such as a narrow boat it really can be the difference between a quickly resolved incident and a catastrophic event. We also would like users to make sure that all boats in use have a fire action plan.

Another simple tip is to never leave a frying pan, chip pan or grill unattended, not even for a minute. It’s too easy to doze off if you’re tired and the situation can turn rapidly from tonight’s snack to a frightening incident with things getting out of control in seconds. Boaters will have succumbed to the fumes from galley fires long before the flames take hold in the rest of the cabin.”

We’d also like to make people aware of the following messages:

• Take care when refuelling your vessel, especially with petrol, or changing gas cylinders

• Try and avoid using portable gas equipment onboard, if possible, and store gas canisters in special gas lockers or in an open place where leaks will flow overboard

• Take care when repairing your boat, make sure you keep interiors well ventilated if you’re using adhesives, paints and spirit based products

• Always keep your eye on a solid fuel stove when it is lit, try and avoid leaving the boat with the stove running

-ENDS-

Notes to News Desk

Background Information

For further information regarding the boat fire safety, please contact the Boat Safety Scheme on 01923 201278 or visit www.boatsafetyscheme.com

Further information is available in the FireKills Leaflet ‘Fire Safety on Boats’, click here

Interviews

Paul Speight, Community Safety Officer, will be available for interview on request.

Please contact Corporate Communications on the number below in order to arrange this.

Contact Information

For more information please contact:

Corporate Communications

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Tel: 0116 287 2241