Fire safety during a drought

It's been a while since we have seen rain across Wales. Experiencing a drought like this means that there is a large risk of fires occurring.

Please keep yourself and your community safe by following the advice below:

Do these things ✔️

Do dispose of cigarettes and smoking materials safely in suitable containers.

Keep communal areas, gardens, balconies and pathways clear of rubbish and combustible materials.

Report fly-tipping, excessive waste, abandoned furniture or fire hazards to FCHA

Take extra care when parking vehicles on dry grass

Call 999 if you discover a fire

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Don't do these things ❌

Don't use disposable barbecues in communal areas, parks, grassy areas or open spaces

Don't light bonfires, burn garden waste or burn rubbish

Don't leave glass bottles or litter in open areas where there is a lot of sunlight.

Don't throw cigarette ends from vehicles or onto dry ground

Don't attempt to tackle a large fire by yourself.

Who to call

If you see a fire in your community, please call 999 and ask for the fire service.

However, if you spot rubbish or materials in your communal areas, in your garden or near your property, please call customer services.

When we are going through a drought, it's important to play your part in keeping yourself, friends, family, and the community safe from unnecessary fires whilst we wait for the usual wet weather to return.

Staying Safe in Hot Weather

Many people will celebrate the arrival of some hot weather in the UK and like to make the most of it by outdoor swimming, BBQ’s and sunbathing. However, during heatwaves more people than usual get seriously ill, particularly older people (65+), young children, people with serious health conditions and people who struggle to take care of themselves. There are some measures you can take to stay safe in the heat.

Coping with the Heat Outdoors

• Avoid going outside if you can between 11am-3pm

• If you do go out, try to stay in the shade as much as possible. Wear lightweight, loose clothing and a hat. 

• Avoid strenuous activity that will further raise your body temperature. Plan activities for early morning or evening.

• Stay hydrated by drinking cool water or drinks that have electrolytes regularly and avoiding excess caffeine or alcohol. 

• Use sunscreen (at least SPF 30) 

• Take regular breaks and listen to your body.

Keeping Cool at Home

• Keep curtains or blinds closed during the day, open windows during cooler hours to   create airflow.

• Electric fans are useful if the temperature is below 35 degrees

• Check the sleeping room temperature of anyone who is vulnerable to high temperatures

• Limit heat from appliances such as ovens and electronics.

• Take lukewarm showers (not cold which could cause shock) and use damp cloths to cool down

Staying Safe While Working

• If working outside, take breaks more frequently in shade or indoors

• Drink water regularly, not just when thirsty.

• Adjust work tasks to cooler times of day where possible.

• If driving for work – take more water with you than you normally would, take a cloth that you can wet and use to cool down if stuck in traffic for a prolonged period. Use sun cream as you can still burn through your car windows. Park your car in shaded areas when possible.

• Be aware of warning signs of heat-related illness.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a heat related condition that occurs when your body overheats and struggles to cool itself down. Most people will recover within 30 minutes of taking measures to cool down. If left untreated it can progress to heat stroke which can be life threatening. It’s important to look out for the signs in yourself as well as others.

Physical Symptoms

•   Heavy sweating or clammy skin

•   Cool, pale, damp skin that has goosebumps when in the sun

•   Muscle cramps

•   Fatigue or weakness

•   Headache

•   Dizziness or fainting

•   Nausea

•   Low blood pressure upon standing

What to Do

•   Stop all activity and rest

•   Move to a cool place.

•   Drink cool water or sports drinks that contain electrolytes

•   Remove excess clothing.

•   Cool the skin with water or damp cloths.

When to seek medical help

•   If the person does not recover within 30 minutes of cooling down

•   They have a temperature of 40c or higher

•   Their body stops sweating despite them feeling very hot

•   Call 999 if they lose consciousness, have a seizure, experince difficulty breathing or show signs of confusion

The show must go on! FCHA's Community Involvement Grant for Hijinx

FCHA's Community Involvement Grant (CIG) is available for projects that positively impact tenants, people with a learning disability or their communities. Recently, we contributed £500 to Hijinx, an inclusive theatre company, creating performances with learning disabled and/or autistic artists on stage and on screen.

CIG Funding supported the room hire costs of Hijinx’s Cardiff-based community and outreach groups for learning disabled and/or autistic people. This included: Odyssey, the inclusive community theatre group for adults; Telemachus, the only young people’s theatre group for learning disabled and/or autistic people aged 16-24 in South Wales; the in-house inclusive band Vaguely Artistic; and 3 Cardiff-based Drama Foundations supporting life-skills development for adults with complex learning disabilities.

The people who took part included:

• 27 adults with and without learning disabilities through Odyssey

• 14 learning disabled and/or autistic young people aged 16–24 through Telemachus

• 10 adults with and without learning disabilities through our inclusive band Vaguely Artistic

• 36 adults with complex learning disabilities through three Drama Foundations groups

In addition to members, Hijinx reaches communities through performances, with over 1,000 audience members experiencing their community work. This included 658 people attending Odyssey’s 2025 Christmas production, Christmas No.1, and more, purchasing their first ever charity single: The Spirit of Christmas

All community groups and performances are open and accessible to anyone who wants to take part, regardless of skill level or experience, and are therefore available to all First Choice tenants.

Hijinx collaborate with a range of arts and disability-focused partners to support effective outreach to the learning disabled community, including Arts CARE, Vision21, Learning Disability Wales, Mencap, DAC, Gig Buddies, Unlimited, Taking Flight, Hynt, and Get the Chance, helping ensure opportunities are widely promoted and inclusive.

In 2019, a young person joined one of Hijinx’s community groups. Before joining Hijinx they were isolated and anxious. They have now progressed from Telemachus to Odyssey and are thriving. They’ve found their voice, their friends, and their place on stage.

“I love acting and performing and I can do it at Hijinx. Everyone there is also very nice and helpful. I have gained confidence in talking to people and performing in front of them. It allowed me to achieve my dream of performing on the stage.”

(Odyssey Member)

We would like to thank Hijinx for all of the information they sent over highlighting just how far contributions to their theatre company goes. It's great to see a direct benefit to people with a learning disability and/or autism across Wales and how it opens up opportunities for people in the community to watch productions that they may not have had the opportunity to see without Hijinx.

If you know of an organisation that could benefit from First Choices' Community Involvement Grant you can contact us to provide more information:

Email: customerservices@fcha.org.uk

Phone: 02920 703 758