12 Christmas safety tips
Keeping you and your family members safe this Christmas
Christmas is always a time to make happy memories, but with more decorations and visitors in our homes, it's also a time when the risk of a home fire is higher.
We want you to enjoy the festive period, so make sure you note our 12 Days of Christmas fire safety tips:
1. Test your smoke alarms at least monthly and only remove batteries when replacing them.
2. Check your Christmas tree lights carry the British Safety Standard sign.
3. Never overload electrical sockets. Always switch Christmas lights off and unplug them before you go to bed.
4. Take care around open fireplaces as clothes may catch fire.
5. Take time to check on older relatives and neighbours this Christmas as they are at greater risk from fire.
6. Make sure your family and visitors know how to escape in an emergency.
7. Make sure cigarettes are put out properly.
8. Never place candles near your Christmas tree or materials that can catch light easily.
9. Most fires start in the kitchen. Avoid leaving a cooker unattended. Avoid cooking when under the influence of alcohol.
10. Decorations can burn easily – so don’t attach them to lights or heaters.
11. Store fireworks safely. Never go back to a lit firework and keep a bucket of water nearby.
12. Keep candles, lighters and matches out of children’s reach. Never leave burning candles unattended.
Remember, if you’re worried about fire safety you can book a free fire safety visit from the London Fire Brigade.
They’ll visit you at home to provide advice on fire safety – and will even fit free smoke alarms if you need them.