AS THE weather heats up, residents and visitors to Hampshire are being warned to be careful not to start fires.

Dry grass verges and hedgerows can easily catch light if people are careless with cigarettes or don't extinguish fires or barbecues properly.

Assistant Chief Officer Charlie House, head of community safety at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS), said: "During warmer weather, grass and heathland fires can be serious problem for the service and tie up a huge amount of our valuable firefighting resources."

He added: "Another major problem for us is children deliberately setting fires.

"So, if you are a parent, we urge you to warn them of the dangers of fire, and keep matches and lighters out of their reach."

By following these important safety tips, Hampshire residents and visitors can help to prevent fires starting in the first place:

• Don't discard cigarettes out of car windows as this can set light to grass verges and grassland areas
• Don't light fires in the countryside or drop litter that could be set fire to
• Don't accumulate rubbish, as it can act as potential fuel for deliberate firesetters
• Contact your local district or borough council to arrange collection of unwanted furniture, or to report abandoned vehicles or fly-tipped waste
• Extinguish bonfires and barbecues properly
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of young children and remind them that they are not toys
• If you are a parent, you are strongly advised not to leave youngsters to wander in the countryside unsupervised. Ensure that they are aware of the dangers of fire
• Report any information on fire-setting activities and those responsible to Hampshire Constabulary on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Some 90 per cent of Hampshire is rural and fires on any heathland can pose a serious threat to lives and property.

A fire in the countryside can cause many thousands of pounds worth of damage and kill hundreds of wild animals and birds.

Just 10 seconds of carelessness can cause fires that take more than 10 hours to put out and 10 years to regrow.

Assistant Chief Officer House said: "We don't want to prevent people from making the most of the warmer weather, but our top priority is safety. In high temperatures people should not underestimate how easily fires can start."

11:48am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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