17/12/2014
TEN TIPS TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE THIS CHRISTMAS
1.Fairy Lights
Check Christmas lights carry the British safety standard (Kitemark) and the fuses are the right type (see the box for the maximum size of fuse you should use). Don’t leave fairy lights on when you go out or when you go to sleep. Don’t let the bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, like wrapping paper or other decorations.
2. Decorations
Decorations made of light tissue paper or cardboard burn easily so Don’t attach them to lights or heaters and keep away from candles
3. Christmas Trees
Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases. This can be seen by viewing this video.
4. Christmas Dinner
Give yourself enough time to prepare and cook Christmas dinner to avoid hot fat, boiling water and sharp knife accidents that come from rushing, and keep anyone not helping with dinner out of the kitchen.
5. Smoke Alarm
Test your smoke alarms weekly and never remove batteries to power presents!
6.Escape Routes
Make sure your friends and family know how to escape. Over the festive season, many family and friends may come to stay. In the event of a fire make sure everyone knows how to leave the house safely.
7. Neighbours and Relatives
Take time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours, make sure they are warm, do they need help bleeding there radiators or isolating drafts?
8. Dont Overload Sockets
Electrical problems were factors in one-third of home Christmas tree structure fires.
9. Ask The Experts
Many fire and rescue services in England offer free home fire risk checks to identify potential fire risks and advise what to do to reduce or prevent them. This may even include the free installation of a smoke alarm – the ideal gift for keeping your family safe
10. Have the right Equipment
• Do you have a Fire Extinguisher and a Fire Blanket somewhere near your kitchen?
• Is your house fitted with working smoke alarms?
• Have you considered buying a carbon monoxide detector.
Stay safe!
