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Christmas Fire Safety

Published 11th Dec 2023

Christmas is a magical time of year for many.

The house is decorated, the Christmas tree take pride of place, and the dinner is planned.

But amongst all the excitement, danger can lurk – it isn’t always obvious, so here are a few tips to help keep you safe this Christmas time.

  1. Did you know a real Christmas tree can be more of a fire hazard than an artificial one? Artificial trees are usually fire retardant. Real trees require watering and can absorb up to a litre of water a day, it is important you don’t let them dry out.
  1. NEVER spray hairspray on a real Christmas tree to prevent the needles dropping, it makes them extremely flammable.
  2. Don’t use outdoor lights unless they are designed for outdoor use – if in doubt, don’t put them outdoors. When buying new lights, always keep the packaging for future reference.
  3. Don’t overload your sockets and avoid using extension leads or adaptors – never ‘daisy chain’ extension leads.
  4. Candles play an important part in Christian celebrations such as advent and Christmas. We advise to use an artificial flame where possible, but where this can’t be done, please do the following:
  • Keep them away from pets and children and do not place them in an area where they could be knocked over
  • Do not place them near soft furnishings or curtains
  • Never leave them unattended when lit
  • Don’t use candles when you have been drinking alcohol or are at risk of falling asleep
  1. Don’t place Christmas trees or decorations in front of doors or windows used as escape routes and never in front of fire fighting equipment, including alarms.
  2. If staying at different accommodation over the festive period, plan and check your escape routes and look for any potential fire risks, reporting them when necessary.
  3. When travelling, allow extra time. Roads can be very busy at this time of year and adverse weather conditions can make things worse. NEVER DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRINK OR DRUGS.

Wishing you all a wonderful festive time, and remember if you need us, we are only a phone call away.