Fire safety over Christmas

The festive season is a time for joy and beautiful decorations - but it’s also a time when fire risks increase significantly.

With Christmas lights, candles, and extra cooking, it’s important to stay vigilant and keep your home safe. Here’s some tips to help.

1. Christmas tree safety

• Choose wisely: If you’re using a real tree, make sure it’s fresh. A dry tree is highly flammable, so keep it watered daily
• Placement matters: Position your tree away from heat sources like radiators, fireplaces, and candles
• Check your lights: Inspect all lights for frayed wires or broken bulbs before use, and replace damaged sets
• Turn off when unattended: Always switch off lights when leaving the house or going to bed

2. Candle precautions

• Never leave candles unattended: Put them out them before leaving a room or going to sleep
• Keep away from decorations: Candles should be placed on stable surfaces, far from trees, garlands, and wrapping paper
• Consider alternatives: Battery-operated LED candles provide the same warm glow without the fire risk

3. Electrical safety

• Avoid overloading sockets: Plugging too many decorations into one outlet can cause overheating
• Use indoor/outdoor lights appropriately: Outdoor lights should be weatherproof and connected to a Residual Current Device
• Replace old decorations: If your lights are more than a few years old, consider upgrading to modern, safer LED options

4. Kitchen vigilance

• Stay close when cooking: Most fires start when cooking is left unattended
• Keep flammable items away: Tea towels, paper, and packaging should be kept clear of hobs and ovens

5. Emergency preparedness

• Test smoke alarms: Ensure they’re working before the festivities begin
• Plan an escape route: Make sure everyone in the household knows what to do in case of a fire
• Keep emergency numbers to hand: Quick access can save lives