PEOPLE are urged to think before they dial 999 after a woman asked paramedics to help tidy her kitchen.

North West Ambulance Service revealed other inappropriate requests have included a man asking for his toe nails to be painted, a woman with a cotton bud stuck in her ear and a man with a bite on his foot.

Emergency call handler Tony Newsham, who answers 999 calls, is asking people to be more considerate over the forthcoming bank holiday weekend.

He said: “A bank holiday is the perfect opportunity to spend time with your family and friends but for the ambulance service it’s a holiday where we see a large increase in the number of calls to 999.

“We tend to see an increase in calls from people who don’t know where to seek alternative medical care when their GP practice is closed, with conditions such as sore throats and aches and pains.”

He reminds people that the emergency number is for patients who are seriously ill with life threatening conditions.

Tony added: “People often think calling 999 will help them get seen quicker but that isn’t the case.”

He said a well-stocked medicine cabinet, a visit to a pharmacist or a call to NHS 111 are often much better options for patients with conditions that aren’t serious.

Tony added: “It’s vital our services are kept free for the most urgent calls in order for us to prioritise patients with life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, cardiac arrests, stokes and breathing problems.”

Tony’s top tips to stay safe throughout the bank holiday weekend:

• Drink lots of water. It is important to keep hydrated as you lose more fluid than you take in during hotter temperatures, this is also vital if you are doing any physical activity and when you are travelling long distances.

• It is best to try to stay in the shade between the hours of 11am to 3pm, as this is when the sun is at its hottest. If you are going into the sun wear sunscreen. Apply a sun cream of at least factor 15 that includes UVA protection.

• Most sprains and strains can be cared for at home using price therapy, protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation. Painkillers, such as paracetamol, can help and the affected body part will usually be back to normal within a few weeks.

• Keep a check on any elderly neighbours, young children and babies and those who have a heart or respiratory condition such as asthma.

• Colds normally last 7-14 days and are not helped by antibiotics - green discharge from the nose (snot/phlegm) does not indicate an infection. Keep your child’s throat lubricated and their body hydrated with regular drinks of water and encourage them to rest.

• For burns and scalds, immediately place the area under cold running water to take the heat out of the skin. Don't do this for longer than 10 minutes, as babies and toddlers can get too cold. If there’s no running water, immerse the burn or scald in cold water or any other cool fluid, such as milk or a cold drink.

If you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation call 111 in the first instance for help.

During the last summer bank holiday, 999 calls to NWAS increased by 6 percent.