The festive season is a time for celebration, but it’s also a time to be extra vigilant about fire safety. With Christmas trees, lights, candles, and cooking all in the mix, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your home. Follow these practical fire safety tips to ensure you have a safe and merry Christmas.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree we want to enjoy you safely!

Whether you prefer a real or artificial tree, both can pose fire risks if not handled properly.

• Real Trees: Ensure your tree is fresh. A dry tree is highly flammable. Keep it watered daily, and ensure the base of the tree is always filled with water.
• Artificial Trees: Choose one that is fire-retardant. Look for a label that confirms the tree complies with fire safety standards.
• Positioning: Keep your tree away from heat sources like radiators, fireplaces, and candles. Ensure it’s a safe distance from exits so everyone can evacuate quickly in case of an emergency.

Christmas Lights

Christmas lights add festive charm but can be a potential fire hazard if not used safely.

• Check for Damage: Before putting up lights, check all wiring, plugs, and bulbs for signs of damage or wear. Discard any faulty lights.
• Use Certified Lights: Only use lights that carry the British Standard mark or CE marking. These indicate that the lights meet the required safety standards.
• Don’t Overload: Avoid overloading sockets by connecting too many sets of lights. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the number of lights that can be safely used on a single socket.
• Turn Off When Not in Use: Always turn off Christmas lights when you leave the house or go to bed. Consider using a timer to automatically switch off lights after a certain time.

Candle Safety

Candles are a beautiful way to enhance your Christmas decorations but can be a significant fire hazard if not used responsibly. We would always recommend that you use a battery powered candle if possible.

• Keep Candles Away from Flammable Materials: Always place candles away from decorations, wrapping paper, curtains, and any other flammable materials.
• Supervise Candles: Never leave candles burning unattended, and always keep them out of reach of children and pets.
• Extinguish Before Bed: Always make sure candles are fully extinguished before you go to sleep or leave the room.
• Use a Stable Holder: Place candles in stable holders or lanterns to catch any drips and prevent the candle from tipping over.

More information about candle safety

Cooking and Kitchen Safety

The kitchen is often the centre of activity during the Christmas period, but it’s also where many fires start.

• Don’t Leave Cooking Unattended: Stay in the kitchen while cooking and keep a close eye on all appliances. If you need to leave the room, turn off the stove or oven.
• Keep Combustible Items Away from Heat: Keep tea towels, paper towels, and oven mitts away from heat sources like the stove, grill, and oven.

More information about kitchen safety

Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Smoke alarms are crucial for alerting you to a fire in your home. You should have smoke alarms on every level of your home. They should be placed on the ceiling, preferably in the middle of the room. Don’t put them on walls, as they won’t work as well.

Test them regularly – add test your smoke alarms to to your festive preparations list!

Escape Plan

Having an escape plan is essential in case of a fire emergency.

• Create a Plan: Ensure all household members know what to do in case of a fire. Identify two ways out of each room and establish a meeting point outside the house.
• Practice the Plan: Practice the escape plan, especially with children, so everyone knows what to do if the fire alarm goes off.
• Keep Exits Clear: Make sure all escape routes, including doorways and windows, are free from obstructions. Never block a window or exit with decorations or furniture.