Struggling Stirling residents are being urged not to resort to desperate measures – including using camping stoves and barbecues INDOORS – to keep soaring energy bills down this winter.
MSP Evelyn Tweed has joined the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in calling on people driven to use candles and burning wood to light and heat their homes to take care.
She told how she is concerned about those using alternative heating and lighting methods to try to keep energy bills down this winter following a warning from the fire service.
It comes as SFRS Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Alastair Perry, Head of Prevention and Protection, said they are anticipating a change in behaviours at home as people try to cope with rising costs.
People are said to be turning to alternative energy sources like wood-burning, candles and electric blankets.
SFRS warned they could ‘inadvertently’ put themselves in danger of accidental fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Ms Tweed echoed those calls for people in Stirling to take extra care if they need to use alternative energy sources over the winter.
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She said: “Thousands of people will be in a desperate situation this winter due to the Tory cost-of-living crisis, being forced to turn to alternative ways of heating their homes.
“In a country as rich as the UK, people should not have to feel forced to turn to wood-burning to heat their homes or candles for light.
“However, if anyone is forced to use these methods, I would urge them to do so with extra caution as these can present an additional fire hazard in the home.
“With so many people facing difficulties in trying keep warm this winter, I encourage everyone across Stirling to be extra vigilant to avoid putting themselves and their households in avoidable danger.
“As always, my team and I are available to give advice and support for anyone worried about the cost of living.”
SFRS this week urged people to “stay fire safe” as the weather turns colder and households look to keep warm and cut energy bills.
Mr Perry said: “Fuel poverty and rises in the cost of living are a real concern as we anticipate seeing a change in behaviours at home as people try to cope with rising costs.
“We want to ensure that people are aware of potential dangers and keep themselves and their loved ones safe at home.
“People could inadvertently be putting themselves at risk from fire and the deadly effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.
“We remind people not to use camping stoves or barbecues indoors, to use the correct fuels for woodburning stoves and open fires and if using candles, to use these safely, or use LED lights or torches.
“Also, be aware of potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning if using old or unfamiliar heaters.
“We will be providing information as we continue to work with our partners and engage with our communities to help keep them safe from accidental fires.
“We also remind people of our Make the Call campaign and to look out for others. If you know someone who is over 50 and smokes, and who has either mobility issues or uses medical oxygen or lives alone, please arrange a Home Fire Safety Visit on their behalf.”
To raise awareness, SFRS and other fire and rescue services across the UK are backing the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Stay Fire Safe campaign.
It aims to provide advice regarding the hazards associated with, and guidance for the safe use of portable heaters, electric blankets, wood burning stoves and candles, as well as highlighting chimney safety – a potential fire risk if they have not been cleaned or properly maintained.
If you know of someone who needs a Home Fire Safety Visit get in touch by calling 0800 0731 999. Or text FIRE to 80800 to seek advice on how to support those who are most at risk of fire.
