Take action now and check its alright before you light.
Fire and Emergency urges people to take action now ahead of a hot, dry summer
Firefighters do not join most Kiwis in welcoming the hot dry weather across the country, and are urging the public to take action now to keep their properties safe from fire.
This year is shaping up to be much drier than previous years and with the La Nina conditions forecast, it is only going to get hotter and drier. This means a greater risk to life and property. With many areas going into Restricted fire seasons, people need to take action now.
Key fire safety tips include:
- Make sure your property has good access for firetrucks, and to water supplies.
- Have a well-practiced escape plan so everyone knows what to do if there is a fire.
- Call 111 immediately if you see any smoke.
- Maintain a defendable area free of vegetation around your home
- Store firewood in a cool dry place, not next to your home. It will dry out with the sun and heat and ignite easily.
- Be vigilant when carrying out activities with machinery that causes sparks and ignite a fire. Dampen down the surrounding area beforehand, and undertake the activity first thing in the morning when it is coolest. Remember to check the fire season at checkitsalright.nz as these activities may be fully prohibited due to the high risk of them starting a fire.
Use our fire safety checklist to help make sure your property is safe from vegetation fires this summer.
Go to checkitsalight.nz to check the fire danger in your area and watch this space for updates.
Poll: Is dumping an issue in your neighbourhood?
There's nothing worse than strolling around the streets in your neighbourhood and seeing dumped rubbish.
Have you noticed this in your area? What could we do to combat this around the country?
-
43.3% Yes, I've seen some illegal dumping
-
56.1% No, our neighbourhood is pretty good
-
0.6% Other - I'll share below
Neighbourly challenge: Who can solve the daily riddle?
I have a crown but am not a king.
I'm prickly on the outside but sweet within.
What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Riddle time: Because lawn mowing can wait!
George, Helen, and Steve are drinking coffee. Bert, Karen, and Dave are drinking soft drinks.
Following this pattern, is Elizabeth drinking coffee or a soft drink?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.