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Fire station / Vets
Billingshurst Fire Station: The New Normal
T
hese last two years have been some of the strangest times most of us have lived through. Eagerly awaiting Boris to give us some good news, only being able to hug our relatives through a screen. Our children running out each Thursday not quite understanding who these heros are they’re clapping for and banging their pots and pans. Rest assured though, even with the new Omicron variant, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are still here to provide the same quality of prevention work and emergency response while keeping you safe. From bleeping smoke alarms and school safety visits to our day-to-day fire calls and even assisting our ambulance colleagues. We have the most up-to-date personal protective equipment to keep the residents of Billingshurst safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Behind the scenes, crews are thoroughly
cleaning the station and the appliance after every call, socially distancing and wearing masks where social distancing is not possible. At incidents where coronavirus is suspected crews have headto-toe Tyvec suits to deliver the same standard of response and care. Look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours. We are here in the village night and day ready to respond and do our upmost to help with the right precautions in place to keep you safe. If you do have any concerns or would like to request a FREE Home Fire Safety visit please call 0345 8729719. All of the crew hope you had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. All the very best for 2022! Twitter: @Station49Fire Facebook: Billingshurst Fire Station Tim Wakeford, Billingshurst Fire Station Photos: Fire engine – aka ‘appliance’ is rigorously cleaned after each callout, as is every last piece of equipment
Staying safe at this time of year Winter is a great time of year, full of excitement, bright cold days and looking forward to the spring ahead, but it can also be hazardous for our pets. I want to help you to avoid an emergency trip to the vets this winter with a few top safety tips: • Store antifreeze products safely and securely – antifreeze contains an ingredient that if ingested can cause kidney failure, cats are particularly at risk. • Wash your pet’s paws after they’ve walked on rock salt – if your pet licks their paws after walking on rock salt this can lead to tummy upset and lethargy. • Keep chocolate, grapes and other dried fruit away from your pet and out of their eyesight – these are toxic to dogs and even a small quantity can cause serious illness. If your pet does eat any of these phone your vet straight away! You’ll need to tell the vet what they’ve eaten and how much, when your pet was exposed to it and if they have been unwell. Sophie Hall B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.
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