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365 Alive - Think Safety

Put it out put it right out!

Cigarette in ashtray

We are backing No Smoking Day Wednesday 10th March by urging smokers to consider the fire safety issues linked to smoking at home.

Everyone knows that smoking is a dangerous and expensive habit, but many Oxfordshire residents are unaware of the other risks of lighting up.

It only takes one cigarette to start a fire in your home which could kill you and your family. It only takes one cigarette to wipe out your possessions and childhood memories.  It only takes one cigarette to leave thousands of pounds worth of damage to your home.

Did you know that more people die in fires caused by smoking than in fires resulting from any other single cause?  This is because tobacco is designed to stay lit, which is why cigarettes can so easily start an accidental fire.

Below is our advice when smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes:

  • Take extra care when you're tired, taking prescription drugs or have been drinking alcohol. It's very easy to fall asleep without realising that your cigarette is still burning.
  • If you need to lie down, don't light up. You could easily doze off and set your bed or sofa on fire.
  • Don't leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended - they can easily overbalance as they burn down, land on a carpet or newspaper and start a fire. When you put it out, make sure it really is out.
  • Every year children die from starting fires with cigarettes, matches and lighters which they shouldn't have. Keep these where children can't reach them.
  • Where possible, buy child-resistant lighters and matchboxes.
  • Tap your ash into an ashtray - never a wastebasket - and don't let the ash or cigarette ends build up in the ashtray.

Following the advice below for our tips on driving in the cold snap.

Plan your journey

  • Check the local and national weather forecasts.
  • Listen to local and national radio for travel information.
  • Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive.
  • Make sure you are equipped with warm clothes, food and boots and a torch. In snowy conditions, take a spade.
  • Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out and carry a screen scraper and de-icer.
  • Clear the roof of your car of large amount of snow.

If you get into trouble

  • Do not use a mobile phone while driving. Stop somewhere safe or ask a passenger to make the call.
  • On a motorway, it is best to use a roadside emergency telephone, because the breakdown/emergency services will be able to locate you easily. If you have a mobile phone, make sure you give them the number of the closest marker post to you on the hard shoulder.
  • Abandoned vehicles can hold up rescue vehicles and snow ploughs. To ensure that the road is cleared as quickly as possible, stay with your vehicle until help arrives.
  • If you have to leave your vehicle to get help, make sure other drivers can see you.

When roads are icy or slushy 

  • It can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions that on a dry road. Drive slowly, allowing extra room to slow down and stop.
  • Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin.
  • Manoeuvre gently, avoiding harsh braking and acceleration.
  • To brake on ice or snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently.
  • If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator, but do not brake suddenly.

Please have a safe journey.

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PhoneCommunity Safety Helpline
08000 325999
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