Power cut and Storms safety advice

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Feb 182022
 

dcfrs

We are contacting parish councils as we are trying to find ways of getting safety messages out to our communities. Lots of people are currently being affected by power cuts following Storm Eunice. We are keen to reach as many people as possible with our fire safety advice.

If you’re in touch with anyone in your area over the weekend who is experiencing power issues, please share our advice below. You can also find these messages on our social media channels.

Power cut safety advice

If you are affected by a power cut, it is the Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) who is responsible for maintaining physical electricity supplies to your home or business. You can contact your local DNO by calling 105.

If you need to light your home when you’re without power, we would prefer if you used torches and battery-powered candles rather than candles. If you must use candles, follow our candle safety advice.

Don’t try and cook using barbecues or using fires inside your home such as wood-burners.

Turn off any appliances that may be a fire risk if they switch on when the power comes back on (such as hair dryers or electric hobs).

If you’re using a portable heater such as oil or gas, keep it a good distance (at least 1 metre) from people or furniture. Do not cover them with anything that could catch fire such as clothing.

Storm Eunice safety advice

We have more advice for staying safe during Storm Eunice on our website.

If you need to get in touch with us, you can find contact details on our website.

Kind regards,

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

FINDING A VOICE – A Lent Course based on “The King’s Speech”

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Feb 182022
 

kings_speechOur Lent Course, based on the film ‘The King’s Speech’ will start on Wednesday 9th March,at 2.00 to 4.00pm in Peter Tavy Methodist Chapel.

It starts with a showing of the film.

Everyone is very welcome to join us.

 

Taking the film as a starting point, the course explores the ways in which fear holds us back and examines how we, like Bertie, can face and overcome our fears and begin to find our authentic voice.

The course continues on Wednesday afternoons throughout Lent.

Devon’s Director of Public Health advises caution following PM’s statement

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Jan 212022
 

The Prime Minister has announced his intention to return to “Plan A” and said that:

  • From the next Thursday (27 January) mandatory certification will end, meaning people will no longer have to prove their Coronavirus status to gain entry to some venues
  • The government will no longer ask people to work from home, but that people should talk to their employers about arrangements for returning to the office
  • That it will no longer be compulsory to wear face coverings, starting this week in classrooms
  • There will be easing of restrictions governing visits to care homes

Current rules around self-isolation remain in place, but the Prime Minister said that there will soon come a time when we can remove the legal requirement to self-isolate altogether – just as we don’t place legal obligations on people to isolate if they have flu, adding that he does not expect to renew the current self-isolation regulations, when they expire on Thursday 24 March.

Devon’s Director of Public Health urges caution, saying that…

“While we have seen a reduction in the overall number of people reporting a “positive test in the past week, numbers are now stabilising, and we are seeing increased rates in younger children.

“Case rates are still high and it is important that people understand that this announcement is not one of ‘freedom day’, but a reverting back to plan A.

“Devon’s uptake of the vaccination is good, with more than 85 per cent of eligible people overall now having had their booster.

“However, take-up of the booster is lower in some younger age groups, and it’s imperative that they and everyone who is eligible for their booster jab, comes forward as soon as they can.

“Omicron is by no means a mild virus, and the symptoms to those who are unvaccinated or who have underlying health concerns can be extremely serious if not life threatening.

“So while the Prime Minister is indicating light towards the end of the tunnel, my advice is that we are not yet out of the woods.

“We must stay vigilant and alert to risk that is still around us.

“Being fully vaccinated, and boosted, gives us best protection from this virus. It’s not too late to start vaccinations, and there are now plenty of opportunities in Devon to get your booster jabs at walk-in and vaccination centres.

“Wearing face coverings is still an effective and sensible precaution to continue in indoor and crowded spaces, especially with people you don’t know.

“Regular lateral flow device testing for people with no symptoms is still the best way to identify those carrying the virus. As is taking a PCR test by people showing symptoms.

“Keeping indoor spaces ventilated is a sensible precaution to reduce risk.

“And staying at home and avoiding others if you have symptoms of the virus or test positive for it, is still the most responsible way to avoid spreading it to others.

“Please be cautious, let’s use our common sense, and continue to follow good basic public health advice.”

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