Take Care This Christmas: Twelve Seasonal Fire Safety Tips

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to be fire safe during the festive season and protect their loved ones young and old.

Government figures reveal there are approximately seven more deaths from accidental house fires during Christmas than the equivalent period for any other time of year in England. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to accidental fires in the home, which is why Kent Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people to take extra care over the festive season to ensure that their families and loved ones are protected from fire.

Head of Community Safety Stuart Skilton said: "Christmas is a time for having fun with family and friends, however it is also a time when extra fire hazards are introduced to the home such as fairy lights, candles and decorations. Other risks include overloaded plug sockets and careless disposal of smoking materials.

We also experience an increase in accidental cooking related fires at this time of year, where cooking is left unattended or due to a build up of food or grease on cooking appliances.

This weekend many of us will be thinking about putting up our Christmas decorations at home, so we're urging people to follow our simple fire safety tips to keep everyone safe to enjoy the festivities."

• On the 1st day of Christmas - Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard (BS EN 60598). Always use an RCD on outdoor electrical equipment (safety device that can save lives by instantly switching off the power if there is a fault)
• On the 2nd day of Christmas - Arrange a free home fire safety check. Community safety officers from Kent Fire and Rescue Service can come to your home to check for any fire risks and install free working smoke alarms on each level of your home. Call 0800 923 7000 to request a free check
• On the 3rd day of Christmas - Practice a fire escape plan. Make sure your family and visitors know what to do in an emergency, especially children
• On the 4th day of Christmas - Decorations can burn easily. Don't attach them to lights or heaters and ensure that any elderly relatives or neighbours follow the same advice
• On the 5th day of Christmas - Switch off electrical appliances when not in use, taking special care with Christmas lights. Always switch off and unplug Christmas lights before you go to bed
• On the 6th day of Christmas - Celebrate safely this Christmas and New Year. The risk of accidents is greater after alcohol is consumed
• On the 7th day of Christmas - Most fires start in the kitchen - never leave cooking unattended
• On the 8th day of Christmas - Give your elderly relatives and neighbours a life-saving Christmas gift. Make sure that they have a working smoke alarm. If they are hard of hearing vibrating alarms are available from FRS
• On the 9th day of Christmas - Make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished
• On the 10th day of Christmas - Check the battery in your smoke alarm and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust
• On the 11th day of Christmas - Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings
• On the 12th day of Christmas - Check on elderly relatives and neighbours - make sure they are fire safe

For further fire safety advice contact Kent Fire and Rescue Service community safety team on 01622 698360 or log on to www.kent.fire-uk.org. More information about fire safety can also be found at www.firekills.gov.uk