There’s no better way to brighten up the dark winter nights with extra lights and warmth, but make sure you protect yourself from those extra fire hazards lurking in the home.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) report that they have managed to reduce fires over the festive season by about 21%, but are working at lowering fire risks (that can be avoided) in your home even further.
What can you do to lower the risks of a fire in your home, particularly over the festive season?
LFB have shared their top festive fire safety tips to help you:
- Buy your electrical lights from a reputable retailer
With a reputable retailer, electrical goods usually have guarantees and return policies for faulty items
- Don’t place candles on or too close to that Christmas tree
Use LED candle decorations that carry the British Safety Signs which are a much safer alternative than open flame candles and lighting.
- Be careful with flammable Christmas decorations
Keep your tinsel, foil banners and other festive decorations away from electrical sources and heaters around the home – as they easily catch fire
- Switch off the Christmas lights when you go to bed
Leaving bulbs/lights on overnight leads to overheating, so please remember to switch off before bedtime. Also remember not to overload your plug sockets with all the different festive lights you might have on the go at home. As plug sockets can overheat.
- Never leave the cooker unattended when in use
Cooking the Christmas dinner and meals throughout the festive season is a huge task, and you’ll have lots of other distractions going on at the same time, like visitors arriving. But it’s worth remembering that most fires start in the kitchen. So please do not leave cookers or other gas appliance unattended, while in use.
- Mind those open fires
Open fires are lovely to add extra heat, but please a safe distance away as clothing can easily catch fire if stood too close.
- Check in on elderly relatives and neighbours
The elderly are vulnerable to fire risks in their home, keep checking in on them over the festive season to make sure they are free of any hazards.
More safety tips from the London Fire Brigade:
https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/