Services
News release
Services wheel out advice during bonfire season
West Lothian Council in partnership with the emergency services are wheeling out advice during bonfire season to help stamp out wheelie bin fires.
The partnership has been created to combat the increase in wheelie bin fires that occur during Autumn - specifically the firework season.
West Lothian Council, Lothian and Borders Police and Fire Services aim to make people more aware of the dangers of setting wheelie bins on fire and have issued a number of tips for residents that can help reduce wheelie bins being taken and set on fire.
The tips are:
Only leave your wheelie bin out for as short a time as possible. For example, leave it out early in the morning of collection and bring it back in as soon as possible after it has been emptied.
If you have the facilities to do so, store your bin in your garage or shed.
If you don't have the facilities to lock your bin within a shed or garage, then try to store them away from the house and out of view.
Do not store wheelie bins in the staircase of a block of flats. If they are set on fire, residents could become trapped within their flats.
Do not over fill your wheelie bin, as an overflowing bin can be more tempting for people to set fire to it.
Executive councillor for the environment, Robert De Bold, said: "The vast majority of wheelie bin fires are started deliberately and more so during the firework season. They are often thrown on to bonfires with little regard to those standing around them.
"Toxic gases are given off, endangering the public, property and the emergency services that have to attend.
"Wheelie bin fires are a massive drain on resources, particularly on the fire services during their busiest time of year.
By following a few simple steps, residents can help the authorities prevent fires occurring."
Sergeant Gary Ritchie of the Safer Communities Team in Livingston added: "The fact is people have died because of wheelie bin fires and the dangers can't be made more clearer than that.
"Persons who are identified as being responsible will be dealt with by the Police swiftly and robustly, and the public are encouraged to contact the Police with any information they may have."
Date: 08-10-2008
