There are approximately 22,000 outdoor fires each year in Scotland which require our emergency attendance and approximately 50% of all these outdoor fires involve refuse, rubbish and fly-tipped materials.

With an estimated average cost of £2,000 for each attendance at such incidents, the estimated annual cost to the Service is £22 million.

• Store your rubbish in a secure area if possible
• Keep your garage and shed locked as well as your home
• Keep all flammable liquids locked away
• Consider installing security lighting outside
• Be alert to strangers loitering in your street and call the police if strangers are loitering for some time
• Report any build-up of rubbish to your Local Authority or community fire station. This will help ensure it can be removed and prevent fires
• Report any fly-tipping direct to your local authority
• Warn other people if a fire breaks out. 

Remember not to:

• Allow rubbish to block escape routes
• Store rubbish by doors, windows or any other openings
• Store bins or sacks up against your home as fire can quickly spread to buildings
• Overfill your bin or leave rubbish around it
• Smoke in or around storage areas
• Put bins out for emptying until the day your refuse is collected
• Fly-tip materials or leave rubbish to build up outdoors – it could start a fire
• Accept deliberately fire-setting in your community. It’s a crime that threatens lives – report it to the police

Please be careful and considerate when disposing of your refuse and recycling.  If a crime is being committed, or is about to be committed, or if there is a risk of serious injury, or if the fire and rescue service is needed, call 999.