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With a little planning, the risk of accidental fire can be minimised. See our tips below to ensure you take control of fire safety measures in your home and continue to enjoy Christmas and New Year celebrations safely.
Paper chains, Christmas cards, decorations and bunting can catch light and burn easily, so don’t attach them to lights or near to heat sources such as heaters or fires.
Scented, advent and decorative candles come out in force at Christmas. If you’re lighting candles at home, make sure they’re out of reach from children and pets, never leave them unattended and don’t place them near the tree or other flammable furnishings like curtains, sofas and bedding. Always remember to extinguish them before going to sleep.
Fairy lights and lit decorations create a lovely atmosphere in your home at this time of year, but never be tempted to overload your plug sockets or trail wires across the room. Always remember to turn them off and unplug them before you go to bed, ensure that all lights and electrical items you bring into your home carry the British Safety Standard Sign, and you follow the manufacturers instructions to understand how to use them safely.
The BSI Kitemark was first registered in 1903 and confirms that a product has been thoroughly tested, checked and proven to meet a recognized industry standard or need. It’s a voluntary mark manufacturers and service industries use to demonstrate safety, reliability and quality.
If you’re planning a fireworks display for your Christmas or New Year get together at home this year, keep them stored away from the main house in a sealed box away from any sources of ignition such as gas, or oil. Never go back to a firework once it has been lit, keep them well away from children and keep a bucket of water nearby during the display. Always follow the fireworks code for safer firework use.
A roaring open fire is arguably what winter is made for. Always take care when stoking and enjoying the fire to ensure that hot embers don’t stray to nearby soft furnishings, and always use a fire guard if young children and pets are around. Don’t leave flammable objects nearby or hanging from the mantel piece in front of the fire, and if drying clothes in front of the fire, don’t leave them there overnight. If you have open fires or coal and log burners, ensure you have a carbon monoxide alarm in the room.
It’s well known that most accidental fires start in the kitchen. At this time of year, there is plenty of activity in the kitchen so try not to get too distracted when cooking for family and friends this Christmas or New Year. Ensure only those helping with meal prep are in the room, don’t leave boiling pots, pans and especially fryers unattended, and always remember to turn the oven and hobs off when finished. If you really do need to leave the room during the cooking process, set a timer on your watch or phone so you don’t forget to check back regularly.
In this article we’ve covered some common accidental fire dangers to be aware of over the festive period of Christmas and New Year and you will find further tips and advice to help you stay safe and prevent accidental fire in your home all your round in our fire safety at home guide. If you’re a landlord or tenant of residential property, this guide covers the fire safety regulations you need to be aware of.
We send annual fire safety advice to the tenants of our managed properties and encourage everyone to find the time to ensure they’re fire safe at home all year round by;
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Our property management team are experienced in managing all kinds of residential and commercial property, including flats, and ensuring that landlord and tenant fire safety regulations are met. Use our contact form to get in touch with the team to discuss your individual requirements.
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