Stay Safe this Christmas

It’s getting to the time of year when you might be thinking about decorating your home for Christmas. We know that Christmas safety advice is probably the last thing on your mind but amongst all the excitement danger can lurk, so we’ve put together a few tips to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable festive period.

• If you’ve got a real Christmas tree, don’t let it dry out and never spray hairspray on it to prevent the needles dropping, it makes them extremely flammable.
• Don’t use lights outside unless they are designed for outdoor use. When buying new lights, always keep the packaging for future reference.
•  Don’t leave Christmas lights on when you go out or go to bed
• Don’t overload your sockets and avoid using extension leads or adaptors – never ‘daisy chain’ extension leads.
• Take care when you’re using real candles.
  o Keep them away from pets and children and do not place them in an area where they could be knocked over
  o Do not place them near soft furnishings or curtains
  o Never leave them unattended when lit
  o Don’t use candles when you have been drinking alcohol or are at risk of falling asleep
  • Don’t place Christmas trees or decorations in front of doors or windows used as escape routes and never in put them over your smoke alarms.
  • If you’re buying electrical products as gifts make sure they are from a reputable retailer and have the UKCA mark (CE mark) that indicates they comply with Safety standards.
  • Keep your home secure. One in three burglaries happen because homes are left insecure during the festive period so make sure front and rear doors are shut and locked both when you leave the house and also on your return.
• If you’re having drinks plan for getting home in advance. Never be tempted to get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking and remember you could still be over the limit the next morning.