With most of us still enjoying the long hot dry spell, it's worth knowing our local fire crews are already stretched. By taking a minute to make some small changes suggested by fire officer Keith Rawnsley, you can reduce the risk of potential fires this summer (and put a smile back on his face!).

Keith said "Flies and wasps are a bugbear in this weather, and many of us may have a can of spray handy. But these cans and other aerosols can get really hot, especially if they are kept in the heat. This makes them a real risk of exploding, or catching fire as the pressure builds in the heat.

"And with us drinking more water to stay hydrated, I've noticed whilst I've been around our sites there are empty drinking glasses left where the sun can catch them and potentially cause a fire."

So remember these top tips to stay fire safe:

• Keep aerosols out of the sun and in a cold dry place away from heat
• Remove any glass objects from windows or where the sun might catch them
• Do not wedge fire doors open - they are called fire doors for a reason - they keep you safe if a fire breaks out