The Government has launched a Christmas fire safety campaign in an effort to minimise the number of people injured, maimed or killed by house fires during the Festive season.
Fire Minister Angela Smith issued a stark reminder that throughout the Christmas period the likely-hood of fire deaths is 50% more than at any other time of year.
Local fire and rescue services will promote the "Twelve Days of Christmas" fire safety message, reminding people to stay safe and think about the possible hazards arising from ill-placed candles, decorations and electric Christmas lights.
Fire Minister, Angela Smith said:
"While I welcome the real progress being made to reduce deaths and injuries caused by fire we simply cannot afford to be complacent. That is why the Government put fire prevention at the heart of the work of the Fire and Rescue Service and gave Chief Fire Officers the flexibility to allocate their resources themselves according to local needs to protect those most at risk.
"I am delighted to launch our latest Christmas Fire Safety Campaign that will be delivered in partnership with the Fire and Rescue Service across the country. Figures show that while there has been a significant and sustained fall in the number of fire deaths the risks over the festive period are greater than normal."This hard-hitting campaign is a serious reminder that many of the things we enjoy about Christmas can all be fire hazards when proper care is not taken and provides twelve tips for festive fire safety."
Keep your loved ones safe from fire in the home and follow the The Twelve Days of Christmas "Fire Kills" top twelve tips for festive fire safety:
- On the 1st day of Christmas - 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).
- On the 2nd day of Christmas - Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings. Don't leave them burning unattended.
- On the 3rd day of Christmas - Make sure your family and visitors staying for the festive period know what to do in an emergency. Practice a fire escape plan.
- On the 4th day of Christmas - Decorations can burn easily - don't attach them to lights or heaters.
- On the 5th day of Christmas - 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.
- On the 6th day of Christmas - Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, 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 - 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.
- 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 every week and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust.
- On the 11th day of Christmas - Keep candles, lighters and matches out of reach of children.
- On the 12th day of Christmas - Take the time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours this Christmas - make sure they are fire safe.
Of course, fire in the workplace during the Festive season also poses a greater risk, owing to office party merriment and alcohol consumption clouding the risks otherwise adhered to by the workforce.
The TUC and RoSPA have produced a Christmas Safety Guide - Office Party Planner, which provides information to make your office, or any other work party, go with a swing without ending in tragedy. You can access the Planner by clicking the following:
Please take a moment to read the Christmas fire safety messages. Keep your family, friends and colleagues safe from fire this year. Have fun, enjoy yourself and remember Christmas 2006 as being one of the safest and best.
Article by Alexandra Johnston
