Festive Fire Safety Advice
With the festive season upon us, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are reminding people to stay fire safe throughout this period. As well as being a time to celebrate with family and friends, it is also a time to be vigilant and to take the time to review fire safety in your home.
At this time of year, we like to decorate our homes with lights, decorations and candles. Some of the main causes of fire at this time of year are indeed candles left unattended and Christmas tree lights left on for long periods. However, with appropriate care and attention and by following some simple steps you can make it a safer more enjoyable time of year.
Festive Fire Safety Tips
- If you have older Christmas tree lights, consider replacing them with newer ones, which will meet the latest safety standards. If not at least check them over for any damage wear and tear and check for safety marks such as "B S kite mark".
- Don't overload electrical sockets; use the appropriately fused and rated extension sockets and once your lights are up, don't leave them on when the room is empty and remember to switch them off when you go to bed or go out of the house.
- If you're using candles ensure they are placed in or on a proper secure holder on a heat resistant surface.
- Ensure they're positioned away from curtains and away from any draughts and out of reach of any children.
- Extinguish candles before you leave a room.
- Never go to sleep with a candle still burning and never leave a burning candle in a child's bedroom.
- Use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out. It's safer than blowing them out, which can send sparks and hot wax flying.
- Cooking in the home is one of the main causes of fire at any time of the year, but you can help by never leaving cooking food unattended and remember drinking alcohol whilst cooking can have serious consequences. Also if you have been drinking alcohol you will be slower to react appropriately in an emergency.
- If you plan to celebrate with fireworks, remember to follow the firework code it's not just for bonfire night.
- Review your home fire action plan and go over it with family members, consider your actions if a fire was discovered, how you would call the fire service, what room you would go to if you couldn't get out? Remember to keep hallways and stairs free from clutter like shoes and jackets that could delay your escape.
- Ensure you have enough batteries for those toys that require them, don't use the ones out your smoke alarm.
Free Smoke Alarms
If you don't already have a working smoke alarm on each floor level of your home, then treat yourself to an early present, it's probably the best gift you could get...
Free smoke alarms are fitted as required as part of a Home Safety Visit. To book, call 0800 0731 999.
