Council backs fire and water safety plea

Rossendale Council is urging residents to follow Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service advice on wildfires water safety during the hot weather.

Following government announcements that some lockdown rules have been relaxed, LFRS reminded residents of the dangers of wildfires and open swimming.

The advice can be found here.

Councillor Steve Hughes, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Customers, said:

“The basics in this next phase of lockdown has not changed – stay at home as much as possible but if you do go out make sure you practice social distancing. However, restrictions on visiting beauty spots have been slightly relaxed so it’s important to use them safely and responsibly.

“The fire and rescue service has issued detailed advice and guidance so I would urge everyone to follow it especially as we are in a spell of lovely weather. We are still responding to this awful virus so we need to make sure collectively we keep pressure off our public services and they are not responding to things which are easily avoidable.

“So please don’t be stupid and deliberately set off fires and be water aware – cooling off in rivers, lakes and reservoirs can have fatal consequences.”