If you are affected by a power cut, it is the Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) who is responsible for maintaining physical electricity supplies to your home or business. You can contact your local DNO by calling 105.

If you need to light your home when you’re without power, we would prefer if you used torches and battery-powered candles rather than candles. If you must use candles, follow our candle safety advice.

Don’t try and cook using barbecues or using fires inside your home such as wood-burners.

Turn off any appliances that may be a fire risk if they switch on when the power comes back on (such as hair dryers or electric hobs).

If you’re using a portable heater such as oil or gas, keep it a good distance (at least 1 metre) from people or furniture. Do not cover them with anything that could catch fire such as clothing.

Storm Ciarán safety advice

We have more advice for staying safe during Storm Ciarán on our website.

If you need to get in touch with us, you can find contact details on our website.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Where to find further information For local weather information including weather warnings visit the Met Office at: www.metoffice.gov.uk The Met Office’s Community Resilience website: Met Office Community Resilience To sign up for flood warnings: Sign up for flood warnings – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) For river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels: River, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels Wessex Area Water Situation Reports. Monthly reports are produced on Gov.uk Flood Re has been set up to help those households who live in a flood risk area find affordable home insurance. For more information contact your insurer or visit: www.floodre.co.uk The National Flood Forum provide further advice and support at: www.nationalfloodforum.org.uk Flooding – Find out the answers to frequently asked questions: Flooding FAQ Property Flood Resilience Toolkit | The Flood Hub. This toolkit contains all the resources you need as a basic introduction for your property to become more flood resilient. Click on each resource to download it and build up your toolkit!

Grabbist Hill Benefice Newsletter 27.10.23

In Praise of Pine Forests

Remember, remember, take care on bonfire night 

Please be aware that fireworks frighten animals so please do not set off fireworks in the village, or around animals.

Fireworks night is just around the corner and Somerset Council is reminding everyone, to stay safe, reduce waste and follow the advice of the fire service.  Fireworks night is a fun time of year, with parties and back garden displays of bright lights and rockets. It is important that residents take care, celebrate fireworks night safely, and reduce waste where possible.   It’s essential to follow the advice from the fire service and other experts and take these simple steps to help keep everyone safe:

• Before putting fireworks in your rubbish, drench embers and soak used or part-spent fireworks in a bucket of water to prevent a fatal fire.
• Never use a bonfire to burn waste – rubber, foam, plastics and paints will all release toxic gases when burning.
• For a safe bonfire, stick to untreated wood, dry branches, and garden wastes, including leaves. Avoid adding wet garden materials as they will release more smoke.
• Check the bonfire for hedgehogs or other creatures hiding within the pile.
• Protect pets by warning local people about any fireworks or fire that could disturb animals.
• Don’t set off sky lanterns because of the fire risk and danger to wildlife from the remains.
• Misfired or partly spent fireworks must be soaked in water and the manufacturer or supplier contacted for disposal guidance.

As well as staying safe when celebrating, the council is urging households to use bonfire night to waste less.

Further safety information is provided by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue’s website: www.dsfire.gov.uk/safety/home/fireworks