After months of patient expectation, freshers' week has finally arrived in Edinburgh and the usual social fêtes are kicking off. But while new students are being encouraged to enjoy the festivities, police, students' unions and the fire services have issued a number of warnings to potential revellers with the aim of keeping both students and Edinburgh residents safe this week.

Revellers leaving clubs and bars in the early hours are being advised to head home with a friend or partner. Those hailing a taxi are warned to use only licensed cabs. Lothian & Borders Police encourage anyone who has been a victim of crime to report the incident immediately.

Michael Partington from the Edinburgh Community Fire Safety Department issued a warning to students this week regarding potential fire hazards, noting in particular the dangers of tea lights and candles, and the importance of extinguishing naked flames when leaving a room.

Mr. Partington also issued a plea for students to refrain from breaking the protective glass of university halls’ fire alarms. “Though it might seem like a good laugh," he said, "the consequences could be a matter of life or death.

"The Tollcross Fire Station receives over 4,000 fire calls a year, and when they are summoned to student halls as a result of a false alarm they are unable to attend to real fires.”

The fire safety department has further encouraged students attending bonfire nights to participate responsibly and take precaution when setting off fireworks. In the last two years, major grass fires have erupted on Arthur’s Seat as a result of students setting off firework displays. Not only are these fires capable of causing injury, say the department, but they also divert firefighters’ efforts away from more serious tasks.

Clearly, the message from Edinburgh's emergency services this week is to have fun – but to do so responsibly.