We’re urging everyone to take extra care as they get into the festive spirit this Christmas - dry Christmas trees, decorations, and wrapped presents can all provide means for a fire to spread in the home. 🔥
NCH's 12 Days of Fire Safety!
👀 To get into the spirit, our colleagues have reimagined a Christmas classic to share important information – take a look (and sing along if you’re brave enough!).
If you'd like to record your own version, you can find the words to the 12 Days of Fire Safety here: 12daysoffiresafety-words.pdf (newportcityhomes.com)
What are the main areas of fire risk at Christmas?
- Christmas decorations
- Candles
- Electrical heaters
- Cooking
Christmas decorations
🎄 Make sure you switch off fairy lights and unplug them before you go to bed or leave the house. Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard (BS EN 60598)
🎄 If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure you keep it watered – dry Christmas trees can catch on fire very quickly!
🎄 Don’t overload sockets – make sure you’re only using one plug per socket. Always turn off plugs when they’re not in use, except those that are designed to be left on, like freezers.
🎄 Decorations can burn very easily - don't attach them to lights or heaters!
The below video from the Fire Kills Campaign shows a house fire caused by faulty Christmas lights taking hold in just 46 seconds.
Candles
🕯️Don’t move candles once they’re lit.
🕯️Don’t burn several candles close together as this might cause the flame to flare.
🕯️ Burn candles in a well-ventilated room, out of draughts, vents or air currents. This will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, soot, and dripping.
🕯️ Check how close your candles are to your tree and decorations. Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings and don't leave them burning unattended.
🕯️ Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets
🕯️ Make sure all candles are blown out before you go to bed.
🎅 More than 50 fires are started by candles every single day.
Electrical heaters
🌡️ Avoid buying second-hand heaters
🌡️ Put your heater on a level surface and away from any potential obstruction
🌡️ Don’t power a heater from an extension lead as these can be easily overloaded and cause a fire!
🌡️ Never cover, drape or leave clothing on or underneath an electric heater. Never use it to dry your clothes!
🌡️ Keep your heater a safe distance, at least a metre, from clothes, curtains and furniture
🌡️ Always turn off your heater and allow it to cool before moving it
🌡️ Your heater should be regularly inspected for damage and deterioration. Do not use it if uncertain or if there is apparent damage
🌡️ Always use the portable heater for the application it was intended.
🌡️ When purchasing a heater, ask the salesperson whether the heater has been safety-certified. A certified heater will have a safety certification mark.
Cooking
🚫 Kitchens can be very dangerous places for young children when food is being prepared. Never leave them alone in the kitchen when something is cooking on the hob. Make sure you keep matches and saucepan handles out of their reach.
🚫Take care if you are wearing loose clothing when cooking as this can catch fire.
🚫Keep tea towels and cloths well away from the cooker and hob.
🚫It is always best to double check the cooker is off when you have finished cooking.
🚫Check toasters are clean and placed away from curtains and kitchen rolls.
🚫Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order. A build-up of fat and grease can ignite a fire.
🚫Do not put anything metal in a microwave, and don’t overheat high fat foods such as Christmas pudding
🚫Take care when cooking with hot oil – it sets alight easily.
🚫If oil starts to smoke – it’s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
🚫If a pan catches fire, don’t take any risks. Turn off the heat if it’s safe to do so. Never throw water over it.
🚫Make sure you leave any alcohol consumption until after the cooking is finished.
If you have sight, hearing or mobility issues
If you have sight, hearing or mobility issues, there are some steps you can take to stay safe at #HoHoHome this Christmas! 🎄
- Did you know that you can contact any emergency service by emergency SMS text? This is a free service, and you’ll need to pre-register to use it – visit https://www.emergencysms.net/ for more information
- If you have a hearing difficulty you can get a smoke alarm which uses a strobe light and vibrating pads
- If you have specialist equipment, such as a text phone or minicom, you can contact the emergency services on 18000
- Unplug and then check electrical leads regularly by touch. If they are frayed or faulty don’t plug them in or switch them on. If electrics are giving off a burning smell turn them off and unplug them immediately
- Register with your local fire and rescue service if you have sight, hearing or mobility issues or if you use oxygen. This will mean a fire crew is made aware of your circumstances in the event of an emergency
Remember - in an emergency, get out, stay out, and call 999.
🎅🎄 Stay safe at #HoHoHome this Christmas!