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Fire service and partners to launch community campaign across Merseyside for Arson Awareness Week

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Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service will join forces with partner agencies across the region, including Knowsley Council, to highlight the dangers of deliberate fires as part of Arson Awareness Week, which runs from Monday, 19 March to Friday, 23 March.

As part of the campaign to tackle this problem, visits to homes and businesses will take place, carrying out home fire safety checks, distributing information leaflets and identifying residents who may be vulnerable to arson attacks.

Skips will also be provided to remove fly-tipped rubbish from communities and advice will be given to business owners about waste management.

Station Manager Paul Kay, Arson Reduction Co-ordinator for Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, said: “The campaign will see organisations from across our county come together to raise awareness of the dangers of arson and the impact fires have on our communities.  Arson is a serious criminal offence which puts people’s lives at risk, causes damage to homes, businesses and community facilities and impacts on wildlife and the environment.

It can range from mindless criminal damage to a deliberately-targeted attack but, either way, the potentially lethal results remain the same. We want to make people aware that deliberately setting fires in a public place is arson and, if caught, those responsible may face legal action.”

The multi-agency team will be in Knowsley on Tuesday, 20 March 2018.

Tips on how to protect your property from arson:

  • Make sure any damage to fencing is repaired promptly to deter intruders.
  • Fit good quality external doors.
  • Close windows when not at home.
  • Consider security systems such as intruder alarms/security lighting to deter intruders.
  • Sheds and garages should be well secured as they often contain tools that can be used to force entry in to the home. They also often contain flammable liquids.
  • Look after your wheelie bin. If possible, place out on the morning of collection and return to your property as soon as possible after collection.
  • Consider fitting a metal container or lockable flap to your letterbox.
  • Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them monthly.
  • If you see anyone setting fires in your community report it to the police immediately or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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