With the arrival of the festive season, many homes are transformed with Christmas trees, lights, and shining decorations. While these are well-loved traditions, unfortunately, they do increase the risk of fire in your home.
Stay fire-safe at home this Christmas by taking some simple precautions:
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for decorations and don't overload electrical sockets or extension cords.
- Place trees and decorations well away from heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces, or lights, and make sure that any electrical decorations are in good working order, with no frayed cords or damaged bulbs.
- If your Christmas tree is real, ensure it is well-watered. This hard-hitting video on why you should water your Christmas tree demonstrates why! As soon as your tree gets dry and starts shedding needles, it's time to take it down as it can be a fire hazard.
- Turn the lights off when you are not at home or when you go to bed at night. Plug timers can be useful and help keep energy costs down.
- Smoke alarms can provide a critical early warning and give you valuable time to evacuate your home. We recommend you install them on every level of your home and test them regularly to ensure they are working correctly.
By following these simple tips, you can help to stay fire-safe at home this Christmas season and enjoy a safe and happy holiday.
Visit our advice and support pages for more safety and repair tips and advice.
