Stay safe this Christmas

Make sure you and your family stay safe this Christmas, here are important fire safety points to follow.

1. Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard. Always use an RCD on outdoor electrical equipment (safety device that can save lives by instantly switching off the power).
2. Never place candles near your Christmas tree, furniture or curtains. Don’t leave them burning unattended.
3. Make sure your family and visitors staying for the festive period know what to do in an emergency. Practice a fire escape plan.
4. Decorations can burn easily – Don’t attach them to lights or heaters.
5. Switch off electrical appliances when not in use, unless they’re designed to stay on.
6. Take special care with Christmas lights. Always switch off and unplug them before you go to bed. Christmas is a time when we use more electrical items – don’t overload sockets and plugs but use correctly fused multi gang safety leads.
7. Most fires start in the kitchen – never leave cooking unattended. Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed.
8. If you are planning to celebrate with fireworks, store them in a metal box, read the instructions, never go back to a lit firework and keep a bucket of water nearby.
9. Make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished.
10. Check the battery in your smoke alarm every week and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust.
11. Keep candles, lighters and matches out of reach of children.
12. Take the time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours this Christmas – make sure they are fire safe as well as checking on their well-being.