Is a North Yorkshire campaign aimed at young people to help them stay safe, protect others, and make smart choices around fire and water.
Light Nights is about enjoying lighter evenings safely. Across North Yorkshire, warmer weather and longer days can bring greater risks from deliberate fires, wildfires, unsafe behaviour near water, and situations where young people may not realise how quickly things can go wrong. This page gives clear advice to help young people make safer choices and reminds parents and carers of their role in keeping children safe.
Parental Responsibility
Start the conversation. Set the boundaries.
- Talk regularly with children and teenagers about fire-setting, peer pressure, and the real consequences of antisocial behaviour.
- Know where young people are going, who they are with, and when they are expected home.
- Remind children that open water, reservoirs, rivers, and the coast can all be hazardous, even in hot weather.
- Encourage safe choices online and offline, and challenge risky behaviour being shared or copied on social media.
- If you are concerned about repeated unsafe behaviour, seek support early through schools, youth services, or local safeguarding partners.
If you are concerned about a child or young person, get in touch with us immediately by contacting us on 01609 780150 or we offer a FREE Firesafe Intervention Programme which works with children and young people who set fires or who play with fire.
Arson Prevention
Think before you light it.
- Setting fires deliberately is dangerous, illegal, and can put lives at risk.
- Even a small fire can spread quickly to grass, fences, vehicles, homes, or public spaces.
- Fires lit as a joke or for social media can cause serious injury, criminal consequences, and lasting damage to the environment.
- If you see someone trying to start a fire, move away, get to a safe place, and tell a trusted adult or call 999 if there is immediate danger.
- Never interfere with firefighting equipment or safety signs.
Remember
If you are concerned about arson in your area or a threat has been made against you then you need to report this to North Yorkshire Police and also request a visit from us as we can offer advice and put other preventative interventions in place.
Always report acts of deliberate fire setting in your community, you can do this directly to the Police by calling 999 or 101, or you can report deliberate fire setting anonymously by calling FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558 or by visiting their website
Wildfire safety
One spark can change everything.
- Follow local restrictions and fire warnings, especially during dry or windy conditions.
- Do not use disposable barbecues, campfires, or fireworks on grassland, moors, or in wooded areas.
- Never drop cigarettes, matches, or glass bottles, as they can help start fires.
- Take all litter home and leave outdoor spaces as you found them.
- Keep vehicles off dry grass, as hot exhausts can ignite vegetation.
If you spot a fire
- Move to a safe location immediately.
- Call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service.
- Give clear details about the location and size of the fire.
Water Safety: Rivers, Reservoirs and the Coast
Open water may look calm and inviting, but it can be extremely dangerous. In North Yorkshire, risks exist at rivers, reservoirs, lakes, beaches, and along the coast. Cold water shock, hidden currents, slippery banks, underwater obstacles, and sudden drops can all put people in danger very quickly.
Stay safe near open water by following this advice
- Never swim alone or in unsupervised places.
- Never jump or dive into open water, even on a hot day.
- Stay away from the edge if the ground is slippery, steep, or unstable.
- Do not enter reservoirs. They can contain hidden machinery, deep cold water, and strong currents.
- At the coast, watch for changing tides, waves, and strong currents.
- Always look out for warning signs, safety equipment, and local hazard information.
- If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, don’t panic, extend your arms and legs out and float on your back until the effect of cold water shock passes
- If someone else is in trouble, do not go in after them. Call 999, tell them to float, and throw something that floats if you can do so safely.
Road Safety During Summer Light Nights
Stay sharp. Stay seen. Stay safe.
- Longer evenings can mean more people out walking, cycling, riding, and gathering near roads. Stay alert and do not assume drivers have seen you.
- Cross at safe places, look both ways, and never step into the road while distracted by your phone, music, or friends.
- If you are cycling or scooting, wear a helmet where appropriate, stay focused, and follow the rules of the road.
- Be extra careful near country roads, bends, and lanes where vehicles may approach quickly and there may be no pavement.
- Never take risks around parked cars, crossings, or bus stops. Make sure you can see clearly and be seen clearly.
- If you use an e-scooter, know the law and remember that privately owned e-scooters cannot be ridden in public places.
In an Emergency
If there is a fire, signs of a wildfire, or someone in danger near inland water, call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service. If the incident is at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Do not put yourself at risk. Get to a safe place, act quickly, and get help.
Enjoy North Yorkshire safely. Protect yourself, protect your friends, and help keep our communities, countryside, and coastline safe this summer.
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