While campfires haven’t been banned yet this season, Richmond Fire-Rescue is urging smokers to dispose of materials safely throughout the summer.
Through its fire prevention and safety campaign, “The World is Not Your Ashtray – Butt Out Responsibly,” Richmond Fire-Rescue is hoping the public will combat preventable fires in the city.
“Public safety is at the forefront of Richmond Fire-Rescue’s mission and when preventable fires are on the rise, it is a growing concern for everyone in the community,” said Fire Chief Tim Wilkinson in a press release.
“With this campaign, we aim to raise awareness and foster public support in helping to prevent and mitigate the occurrence of preventable incidents.”
According to the City of Richmond, nearly 59 per cent of fires last summer were “caused by carelessly discarded smokers’ materials.”
In May, the city passed new smoking regulations which now prohibit smoking within nine metres of bus shelters, transit signs, patios, doorways, windows and air intakes.
To help reduce preventable fires from smokers’ materials, the city recommends making use of deep, non-combustible ashtrays, making sure matches and cigarette butts in ashtrays are wet and extinguished before putting them in a garbage bin, not disposing of materials on the ground or in plants and by keeping lighters, matches and cigarettes away from children.
