Chimney Fires

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Please see the information below from Malton Fire Station & NYFRS regarding chimney fires and keeping safe:

  • Regular cleaning of your chimney or flue keeps it clear from a build-up of soot and obstructions such as bird and animal nests, leaves and debris.
  • Chimneys should be swept by a trained person (this is guidance only); at least once a year for smokeless fuel, at least twice a year for bituminous coal, and quarterly for wood.
  • The best time to get your chimney swept is before the start of the heating season, when your fire/wood burner hasn’t been used for a prolonged period.
  • Have your chimney flue inspected regularly (at least once a year) to ensure that it is in good condition.
  • Check the roof space regularly, when a fire is lit, to ensure that smoke is not leaking into the roof space.
  • Don’t use flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin to light your fire.
  • Wood should be dry and well-seasoned –this usually takes about two years.
  • Always use an appropriate fireguard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers.
  • Have wood burners/multi-fuel stoves installed and serviced by competent engineers, and in line with building standards (building regulations).
  • Don’t store logs too close to fires and wood burners, as radiated heat can cause them to catch fire.
  • Make sure that your fire is well ventilated, and enough air is coming into the room. Don’t block air bricks or vents.
  • Fit smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. If you’re a landlord ensure you are complying with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulation 2015.
  • Make sure embers are under control and extinguished properly before you go out or go to bed.
  • Make sure ash and embers are cold before putting them in a wheelie bin.

Be Aware Knowledge Hub

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Please see the following information from NYCC:

North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership are proud to launch their new Be Aware Knowledge hub:

NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk)

Be Aware is a knowledge hub designed to help prevent and tackle child exploitation in North Yorkshire.

The site is designed with information specifically for parents, carers, young people, local residents and businesses to raise awareness and provide a one-stop shop of information about child exploitation by highlighting:

  • What child exploitation is and what it can look like.
  • Highlighting the different types of child exploitation – including County Lines and online exploitation.
  • How to talk to children about what child exploitation is, and things we can all do to help young people stay safe.
  • What the signs are that child exploitation and grooming may be happening.
  • What help and support is available in North Yorkshire if you are worried.

Village Plan Questionnaire Deadline

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The deadline for returning completed Village Plan questionnaires is the 16th September 2022. If yours hasn’t been collected/returned yet, please drop it off at The Old School House by this date or contact if you would like it collecting. We would really like to get as much input as possible from villagers into the plan, so please complete and return the questionnaire if you can.

Thanks, The Village Plan Steering Committee.

 

ALERT: Energy rebate scam emails

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 Action Fraud is warning the public about a sharp rise in reports relating to fake emails purporting to be from Ofgem, the independent energy regulator for Great Britain. The emails claim that the recipient is due a rebate payment as part of a government scheme and provides links for the recipient to follow in order to apply for the rebate. The links in the emails lead to malicious websites designed to steal personal and financial information.

Between Monday 22nd August 2022 and Monday 5th September 2022, a total of 1,567 phishing emails related to this scam have been reported via the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS). All the emails display the email subject header “Claim your bill rebate now”. Offenders are using the Ofgem brand logo and colours to make the emails look as authentic as possible. However, the emails ask recipients to “apply for an energy bill rebate before September 2020”, which is what prompted many recipients to realise the emails weren’t genuine.

How you can protect yourself and others

If you have any doubts about a message, contact OFGEM directly. Don’t use the numbers or address in the message – use the details from their official website. Remember, your bank (or any other official source) will never ask you to supply personal information via email.