Wishing all our communities a very happy new year

As we head towards New Years Eve and the excitement a new year can bring for many, we have issued a few small reminders to help keep you safe.

Of course, we want you to have fun and enjoy the celebrations too, so we have kept this list short and brief.

If travelling away from home for New Year Celebrations

• Plan your journey in advance, including booking transport home if you know you will be consuming alcohol
• If you are staying overnight away from home, look for risks within the property which could be a potential fire hazard – common issues included overloaded plug sockets. Also, plan an escape route in the event you needed to leave the property quickly
• Check for delays and cancellations on the transport network and in the event of adverse weather conditions, only travel if necessary

If celebrating with candles or fireworks

• Never leave candles or fireworks unattended, especially around young children or pets
• Read the storage instructions and directions for use carefully and follow their recommendations
• Remember to extinguish any used candles or fireworks correctly and do not leave them burning overnight
• If you are burning a bonfire, ensure it is away from property, including fencing and is supervised at all times

Check in with vulnerable or elderly neighbours and family who may be worried about leaving the property or the late-night celebrations.

We hope you all have a wonderful time with loved ones and remember if you need us, our crews are only a phone-call away.

All the best for 2024 from everyone at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.