Lisa Gunther preparing to hold street party for Queen's Jubilee with help from neighbours Barbara New ( left ) and Corinne Dutch

Havering residents are being reminded to take extra care during their Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Chris Drew, borough commander for Havering has issued top Diamond Jubilee safety tips which, if followed, will reduce the risk of serious fires.

The tips are:

-Take care if you’re cooking for the party especially if you’re planning on having a few drinks. It’s all too easy to leave a pan on in the kitchen, especially if you’re distracted by the festivities, but please remember that unattended cooking accounts for more fires in people’s homes than anything else.

-If you’re having a barbecue make sure you don’t leave it unattended, not only will you burn your sausages but you’ll also run the risk of causing a serious fire. Also, please remember it’s never a good plan to light your barbecue too close to sheds, fences or trees.

-Firefighters would also like to remind people not to leave rubbish lying around after their street parties. Rubbish can be an easy target for would-be arsonists and increases the risk of serious fires being started which can easily spread to homes and surrounding buildings.

Chris said: “We want everyone to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee and if you follow our safety tips we won’t be coming to your party. Sixty per cent of all accidental house fires start in the kitchen, make sure you’re not another statistic this weekend.”