You can help prevent rubbish fires by following a few simple tips, says Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service.
Over the past 12 months there have been hundreds of deliberate fires in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. Many of these have involved rubbish in bins outside people's homes, putting lives at risk. On a number of occasions, occupants have had to be treated for the effects of breathing in smoke.
You can help deprive arsonists of a ready supply of fuel by following a simple routine with your weekly refuse sack or bin, and by disposing of bulky items such as furniture responsibly.
Safety advice
DO store your rubbish in a secure area if possible.
DO keep your garage and shed locked as well as your home.
DO keep all flammable liquids locked away.
DO consider installing security lighting outside.
DO be alert to strangers loitering in your street.
DO call the police if strangers are loitering for some time.
DO warn other people if a fire breaks out. Then get out, stay out and call the fire and rescue service out by ringing 999
DON'T allow rubbish to block escape routes.
DON'T store rubbish by doors, windows or any other openings.
DON'T store bins or sacks up against your home as fire can quickly spread to buildings.
DON'T overfill your bin or leave rubbish around it.
DON'T smoke in or around storage areas.
DON'T put bins out for emptying until the day your refuse is collected because they can: Provide fuel for a fire; Be stolen or set on fire; Be climbed on to help someone get into your back garden.
Disposing of refuse
Please be careful and considerate when disposing of your refuse and recycling.
There are hundreds of recycling centres throughout Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, and 12 sites which accept bulky items such as mattresses. You will find them at:
Amersham: London Road East, HP7 9DT
Aylesbury: Rabans Close, Rabans Lane, HP19 8RS
Beaconsfield: Candlemas Lane, HP9 1AH
Bleak Hall: Chesney Wold, MK6 1NE
Bledlow Ridge: Wigans Lane, HP14 4BH
Buckingham: Yonder Slade, Ring Road Industrial Estate, MK18 1RZ
Burnham: Crowpiece Lane, SL2 3TG
Chesham: Latimer Road, HP5 1TL
High Wycombe: High Heavens, Clay Lane, Booker, SL7 3DJ
Langley: Langley Park Road, SL3 6DD
New Bradwell: Newport Road, MK13 0AH
Newport Pagnell: North Crawley Road, MK16 9HG
In addition, your district or unitary council runs a "bulky items" collection scheme. For more details, contact:
Aylesbury Vale: 01296 585510
Chiltern: 01494 732053
Milton Keynes: 01908 252570
South Bucks: 01895 837362
Wycombe: 01494 421415
Key number and websites
If a crime is being committed, or is about to be committed, or if there is a risk of serious injury, or if the fire and rescue service is needed, call 999.
For advice to help you protect your family and your home from the risk of fire, follow the links from our home page. DO NOT use this website to report emergencies!
The single number for non-emergency calls to Thames Valley Police, wherever you are in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Oxfordshire, is 101. For advice to help you protect your family and your home from the risk of crime, visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk. DO NOT use this telephone number or website to report emergencies!
Thames Valley Crimestoppers is an independent charity working to stop crime. Crimestoppers works for you, your family and your community. Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Just tell them what you know, not who you are. If you prefer, fill in the Anonymous Contact Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. DO NOT use this telephone number or website to report emergencies!
Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service will carry out a FREE safety check on your home to minimise the risk of a fire. Call 01296 744477 or email cs@bucksfire.gov.uk