Firefighters are calling on parents to talk to children about their safety in the summer months and make them aware of the dangers.

A spokesperson for Kent Fire and Rescue (KFRS) said: "While it’s great being out in the mild weather, it’s a sad reality that KFRS is called out to rescue children in difficulty during the summer season.

"Young people are often fascinated by fire and this becomes a danger during the dryer months. Grass fires are frequent and are often the result of children and teenagers experimenting with fire."

Half of the callouts over the summer months in 2012 were for rubbish and grassland fires.

KFRS Community Safety Manager Stuart Skilton said: "Obviously we want people to enjoy the summer but every year thousands of acres of countryside, crops, and wildlife habitats are destroyed by fire.

"While some of the incidents are due to deliberate fire-setters, many are actually started accidentally due to carelessness.

"Grassland fires have the potential to spread extremely quickly and can divert crews away from other incidents, such as road crashes or house fires, where lives may be in danger."

Stuart added: "Outdoor waterways also pose a significant danger at this time of year. It’s natural to want to cool down in the heat but young people are often unaware of the hazards associated with open water. Whether it’s the unknown depth of a stream or the hidden currents near lochs and weirs, things can quickly go wrong."

"We are therefore appealing to parents to sit down with their children and talk about summer safety at the start of the holidays."

Keep your family safer this summer by following firefighters' golden rules:

Fire:

• Never use accelerants such as petrol on barbecues
• Never leave a barbeque unattended
• Never cook or smoke inside tents
• Always make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished
• Never leave lighters or matches around – they can be a temptation to children
• If you are worried about your child’s interest in fire contact us about our Fire Setters Team.

Water:

• Be aware of your children’s limitations – e.g. how confident are they in the water?
• Don't jump or dive in, as the water can be far deeper than it looks - with unseen hazards.
• Never swim near weirs or locks as there are usually dangerous currents
• Even inland waters can be very cold, no matter how warm the weather. Be aware that this can quickly cause cramp and breathing difficulties.

For further advice on how to keep you, your family or a neighbour safe from fire call Kent Fire and Rescue Service for free on 0800 923 7000 or go to www.3breaths.info.