Dear All,
With the warmer weather now upon us, it is appropriate to reiterate the precautions which should be taken to reduce the risk of fire spreading on the estate. I would therefore respectfully ask all residents to follow the generic advice below in the interests of all:
Barbeques
• Don’t use barbeques in communal grassed or open areas, and to take extreme care of any fires or barbeques in private gardens.
• Do make sure your sleeves are rolled up and hair tied back when tending a fire or cooking over an open flame.
Firepits
• Don’t put a fire pit directly on grass or wood surfaces.
• Do situate pits on fire-resistant surfaces made of metal, bricks, concrete pavers, gravel, or sand.
• Don’t set up a fire pit directly underneath string lights or power lines as both are fire hazards.
• Do make sure there is plenty of clearance between the pit and surrounding trees.
• Do make sure you have 20 feet of clearance between tree branches and your fire pit zone.
• Do use kindling to start a fire rather than lighter fluid or gasoline.
• Don’t burn plastic, small items of rubbish or paper in a fire pit.
• Do keep fire pit chairs at a safe distance (at least three feet).
• ALWAYS keep children a safe distance from flames (at least three feet).
• Do ensure the fire is completely extinguished at the end of your event. Pour water over live embers and turn logs to make sure all sides of the wood have stopped burning.
Bonfires:
• Do ensure any open fires are well clear of buildings, garden sheds and hedges.
• Do remove dead wood and debris under trees and hedges to reduce the risk of a fire spreading.
• If a bonfire has to occur in a resident’s garden, it must be observed and monitored at all times and a water hose should be ready in advance as a precaution to reduce the risk of the fire spreading.
• Do avoid any smoke disturbance to neighbouring properties and consider the impact of air pollution.
• Never use flammable liquids to start a bonfire, and never burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture, or batteries.
• Do have the appropriate insurance cover to protect the interests of others.
• Always ensure the appropriate control of contractors, including the use of any equipment that produces a heat source.
Further advice is available from the estate office, or the Access Control Team Leader out of hours.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Regards,
Richard
Richard Maundrell
Chief Executive
St George’s Hill Residents’ Association
