Emmerdale actress, Charlie Hardwick supports - National No Smoking Day!
Actress Charlie Hardwick who plays Val Lambert in "Emmerdale" is fully aware of the dangers cigarettes pose after her on screen character set fire to the Woolpack back room after discarding an unextinguished cigarette.
She says: "Smoking is not only dreadful for your health but fires started by cigarettes are the biggest killers, which is why it is important that people make sure their cigarettes are fully extinguished when finished - I urge everyone to kick the habit this No Smoking Day (14 March) and to make sure they put that cigarette out - right out! Tabs Out Now!”
Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is backing the campaign this year and along with Charlie Hardwick is encouraging people to kick the habit by revealing some shocking facts about the dangers of smoking.
Area Risk Manager, Simon Ellershaw said:
“Smoking can damage more than just your health. If you smoke you are 35% more likely to have a fire than non-smoking homes. In the UK between 2000 and 2005 there were on average 120 deaths per year in accidental home fires caused by smoking materials Statistics from the Department for Communities and Local Government, 2000-2005. This should be enough to make you think twice about lighting up and will hopefully help to encourage more people to kick the habit on National No Smoking Day!”
If you’re not quite ready to kick the habit, then please remember that a cigarette burns at up to 700 °C. So make sure when you put it out, it really is out. That final check could save your and your family’s life!
Other ways to prevent a fire in your home include:
· Put it out, right out – make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished.
· Take extra care when you’re tired, taking drugs or have been drinking alcohol. It’s very easy to fall asleep without realising that your cigarette is still burning.
· Never smoke in bed - if you need to lie down, don’t light up. You could doze off and set your bed on fire.
· Never leave lit cigarettes cigars or pipes unattended - they can easily overbalance as they burn down, land on a carpet or newspaper and start a fire.
· Where possible buy child-resistant lighters and matchboxes - every year children die by starting fires with matches and lighters.
For more information about fire safety, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue or http://www.firekills.gov.uk