Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen and  Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) are supporting this week’s Boat Fire Safety Week by promoting safety messages around alarms to Cumbria’s boating community.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service has partnered with the Boat Safety Scheme to offer a wealth of information on its website, including the risks around electrics, fuel and stoves – and how smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms should be installed.

David Allen said: “Whether it’s at lakes, coastal inlets, or harbours, motorised boats present a potential risk of fire, explosion and CO poisoning incidents.

“It’s incredibly important that boat owners ensure they have suitable smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on their vessels, and also that they test them regularly.

“This week I joined firefighters from Red Watch at Whitehaven Fire Station, on a visit to Whitehaven Harbour to speak with boat owners and occupiers about fire safety.

“It was interesting to hear local boat owners views and help them to appreciate the risks associated with their domestic equipment and installations on their boats.

The message is clear, alarms save lives. I urge all boat owners to visit the CFRS website to check that they are doing all they can to keep themselves, their families and friends safe when on the water.”

Lauren Woodward, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s Area Manager, said: “Despite all efforts, should fire break out or a CO escape occur, the critical survival factor will be the presence of suitable working smoke and CO alarms.

“Our website contains lists of suitable alarms and has advice from the manufacturers on the best places to fix the devices. Alarms should be tested using the test button routinely and the batteries replaced as necessary and never removed.”

For more information, visit www.cumbriafire.gov.uk/boat-fire-safety