KFRS say celebrate safely this Christmas

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is urging Kent residents to stay safe this Christmas and ensure that the festive period is an enjoyable one.

Christmas should be a time of fun and festivities, but it's all too easy to overlook your usual fire safety efforts. Dangers include careless disposal of smoking materials, unattended cooking, overloading of electric sockets with decorative lights and careless use of candles and tea lights.

Head of Community Safety Stuart Skilton said "I would urge all residents to follow our festive safety tips to keep your family and home safer from the increased risk of fire over the Christmas period."

Protect your homes from fire by following twelve tips for festive fire safety:

These include:

• Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard. Always use an RCD on outdoor electrical equipment (safety device that can save lives by instantly switching off the power).

• Never place candles or tea lights near your Christmas tree or furnishings. Place them in a suitable holder on a heat resistant surface and never place them on a television, stereo, bath or other plastic surface. Don't leave them burning unattended.

• Make sure your family and visitors staying for the festive period know what to do in an emergency. Practice a fire escape plan.

• Decorations can burn easily - Don't attach them to lights or heaters.

• Switch off electrical appliances when not in use, unless they're designed to stay on. Take special care with Christmas lights. Always switch off and unplug Christmas lights before you go to bed.

• Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed.

• Most fires start in the kitchen - never leave cooking unattended.

• If you are planning to celebrate with fireworks, store them in a metal box, read the instructions, never go back to a lit firework and keep a bucket of water nearby.

• Make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished.

• Check the battery in your smoke alarm every week and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust.

• Keep candles, lighters and matches out of reach of children.

• Take the time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours this Christmas - make sure they are fire safe.

• If you use an open fire or a wood burning stove, it is essential that the chimney is regularly swept and you do not allow soot or ash to build up as this can catch fire.

• Book up a free home safety visit with Kent Fire and Rescue Service. The free checks take about 30 minutes to carry out and firefighters will visit your home to identify potential fire hazards and fit if required free 10-year smoke alarms. They will give home fire safety advice and help you make an escape plan should fire break out in your home.

To arrange a free home safety visit or to find out more call Kent Fire and Rescue Service for free on 0800 923 7000 or visit their website www.kent.fire-uk.org.