DEVON and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has launched its Christmas fire safety campaign – What will Christmas cost you?

The service is focusing its campaign on unattended candles, portable heaters and careless discarding of cigarettes.

Fire safety is important at any time of the year, but with the extra distractions of Christmas it’s especially important to be vigilant.

Dry Christmas trees, colourful decorations and wrapped presents are all extra fuel for a potential fire in your home.

To ensure a fire safe and joyful Christmas this year, check DSFRS top tips.

 

CANDLES.

Candles and night lights are often used in celebrations for Christmas.

It only takes one candle to put your home at risk – always take care when using them.

•Make sure you don’t put candles in, or by, a Christmas tree, plants, flowers or other foliage.

•Be careful that ribbons, greetings cards and other decorations aren’t near any candle flames.

•That the candle is out of draughts and away from curtains, other fabrics or furniture, which could catch fire.

•Never leave a candle unattended.

•Make sure you: put out candles before you leave a room and before you go to bed.

 

PORTABLE HEATERS.

•Don’t put heaters near ribbons, greetings cards and other decorations.

•Do not place heaters under the Christmas tree or an enclosed area.

•Don’t leave portable heaters switched on and unattended.

•Keep portable heaters away from exit ways, walkways and paths of travel.

•Heaters need to be monitored daily. Heaters with missing guards, control knobs, feet, etc. must not be used and need to be repaired by a competent person.

 

SMOKING.

•With all the Christmas celebrations be extra careful with cigarettes and smoking materials after drinking alcohol or taken prescription drugs - you may get drowsy or lose concentration and fall asleep.

•Never smoke in bed – when a cigarette is finished, put it out, right out.

•Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended - they can easily overbalance as they burn down.

•Use a proper, heavy ashtray that can’t tip over easily and is made of a material that won’t burn.

 

OTHER TIPS.

Make sure your family and visitors staying for the festive period know what to do in an emergency. Make a fire escape plan and check everyone knows it.

Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to accidental fires in the home, so take extra care this season to ensure that your families, loved ones and neighbours are all protected from the extra Christmas fire risks.

Smoke alarms ensure you have a working smoke alarm installed on all levels of your home. Test your smoke alarms on a regular basis and never remove batteries to power presents! This Christmas clean your smoke alarms so all your family and friends are safe.

To request free Home Safety advice call free on 0800-0502999.

For any other fire safety advice, contact the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue helpline on 01392-872288 or visit www.dsfire.gov.uk