Firefighter callouts to remove objects from people in Hertfordshire hit a record high

Firefighters from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue were called out 42 times in a year to remove stuck objects from people, Home Office data has revealed.

This was the highest number on record and an increase of eight from 2017-2018

The most common reason is typically to remove a wedding ring, resulting in 28 callouts in 2018-19.

Releasing objects trapping limbs is the second most frequent reason, with three incidents in that year.

Hertfordshire firefighters also had to remove handcuffs on one occasion in 2018-19.

Callouts of this kind were at their lowest in 2011-12, when Hertfordshire's fire crews were called 19 times to remove objects.

Nationally, firefighters removed objects from people 4,878 times in 2018-19 – the highest number on record.

Fire and rescue services are attending more non-fire incidents each year, with crews in England and Wales responding to 162,000 callouts of this kind in 2018-19. Of those, 3,171 were attended in Hertfordshire.

The national increase has largely been driven by crews attending more medical and collaborative, multi-agency incidents.

Although Home Office data does not show the location of incidents involving the removal of objects in 2018-19, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says more accidents happen in the home than anywhere else.

The charity has suggested the coronavirus lockdown could lead to a spike in DIY mishaps and other incidents for emergency services to deal with.

Ashley Martin, RoSPA's public health adviser, said: "We are aware of the potential for an increase in the number of home accidents requiring an emergency response because of the increased amount of time people are spending at home.

"During this period when people have more time at home, it may appear to be a good time to catch up on some household maintenance jobs including those for which they would normally call in expert help which is currently unavailable.

"RoSPA advises extreme caution when undertaking DIY activities and that people should remember that they can help the NHS and other emergency services by avoiding unnecessary callouts or visits to A&E due to an accidental injury.

"Fire-related calls still remain the biggest concern."