Christmas is a time for festivity and celebration. However, the very things we enjoy such as fairy lights, Christmas trees and decorations can provide potential fire hazards. There are more accidental fires in December than in any other month.

safety at Christmas

Follow our Christmas fire safety advice below and keep your home a safe during the Christmas and New Year period.

  • Ensure you have a working smoke alarm installed on all levels of your home. Test your smoke alarms regularly and never remove batteries to power Christmas presents!
  • Make sure you have a fire escape plan and that everyone in your home knows what to do in the event of a fire. 
  • Do not leave candles unattended and keep out of the reach of children. Keep decorations, cards and wrapping paper away from candles, fires, lights and heaters.
  • Ensure fairy or Christmas tree lights conform to safety standards and turn them off before going to bed or leaving the house. If you have old fairly lights maybe it’s time to invest in some new ones!
  • Always use an RCD (Residual Current Device) on outdoor electrical equipment. This safety device instantly switches of the electrical power if there is a fault.
  • Most fires start in the kitchen. Never leave cooking unattended and take care extra care if you have been drinking alcohol. Always turn off kitchen appliances when you have finished cooking.
  • Don’t overload electrical sockets. Always turn off plugs when they are not in use, except those that are designed to be left on, such as fridge freezers.
  • Make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished. Take extra care to ensure cigarettes are out if you are tired or have been drinking. Put it out, right out.
  • If there is a fire – get out, stay out and call 999!