Squirrels, cute and cuddly or serious contributers to house fires?

A Surrey pest control company, Cleankill Pest Control, has warned home owners to be vigilant for signs of squirrel infestation in lofts.

This rodent finds its way into loft spaces and makes nests there, chewing through electrical cables and roof joists. The company warns that squirrels are very determined rodents and once they have earmarked a loft for nest building are very difficult to evict.

The company claims that March is the onset of a surge of calls to help deal with squirrel infestations in their area. If there are squirrels in your neighbourhood, look for any signs of nesting. Damaged electrical cables can cause a fire, resulting not only in damage to the property but also endangering lives.

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Training hots up for Scottish firefighters

A new training unit, allowing training to take place in conditions hotter than 750 degrees Celsius, has been opened by the Highland and Islands Fire Board.

The new facility will enable firefighters to practice tackling a room fire and using techniques that will dampen the flames without causing scalding steam. Firefighters will also practice tackling back-draught and flash-overs that can occur when the door of a room containing a fire is opened.

It is hoped that this new training unit, based at Sumburgh Airport, on the Shetland Isles, will combat the rise in firefighter deaths due to situations involving room fires.

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