Take Fire Safety Seriously and Enjoy Your Christmas

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


                     


Folkestone Fire Station Manager Barry Douglas said:

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

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:

• Check your Christmas tree lights conform to British Standard. Always use an RCD on outdoor electrical equipment.


• Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings. Don’t leave them burning unattended.


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


• Decorations can burn easily – don’t attach them to lights or heaters.


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


• Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely – the risk of accidents is greater after alcohol is consumed.


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


• 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.


• If you use an open fire or 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 fire safety check with Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

To arrange a free Home Fire Safety Check or to find out more, call Kent Fire and Rescue Service free on 0800 923 7000 or visit www.kent.fire-uk.org