Fire tips for the festive season

Dec 16 2011 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

FIRE bosses are encouraging Perthshire residents to take extra care over the festive period.

Figures released this week by Tayside Fire and Rescue have revealed that over a fifth of all accidental house fires attended by the service in a 12-month period occurred in December 2010 and January 2011.

A spokesperson for the service said yesterday: “The festive period is a time for having fun where people can relax and enjoy being with family and friends, however it is also a time when extra fire hazards are introduced to the home.

“At Christmas your home is decorated with extra lights and candles; you may be cooking in a rush, there are usually more people in your home, some who may be drinking or smoking.

“The usual risks get bigger when you are relaxed or distracted so you need to be extra careful.

“Tayside Fire and Rescue is therefore urging people to keep safe during the festive season and consider their actions and protect their loved ones young and old.”

The TFR data released this week covers the period from the start of April last year up to the end of March.

Meanwhile, the service has released a host of festive fire safety tips for Big County residents:

l Arrange a free home fire safety visit. Firefighters from Tayside Fire and Rescue can go to your home to check for any fire risks, provide valuable safety advice and install free working smoke alarms if required. To book a visit call 0300 1239998, text ‘Check’ to 61611, or visit www.taysidefire.gov.uk.

l Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard and always use an RCD – a safety device that can save lives by instantly switching off the power if there is a fault – on outdoor electrical equipment.

l Rehearse a fire escape plan. Make sure your family and visitors know what to do in an emergency, especially children.

l Decorations can burn easily. Don’t attach them to lights or heaters.

l Never overload electrical sockets and switch off electrical appliances when not in use, taking special care with Christmas lights. Always switch off electrical appliances not designed to be left on overnight before you go to bed, including Christmas lights.

l Celebrate safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed.

l Most fires start in the kitchen – never leave cooking unattended.

l Keep your cooker clean – burnt food and fat can cause fires.

l Don’t drink and fry – if you have a festive drink don’t cook.

l Make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished before going to bed.

l Check the battery in your smoke alarm every week and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust.

l Keep candles, lighters and matches out of reach of children.

l Take the time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours this Christmas – make sure they are fire safe.