With the weather growing colder and Christmas on the horizon, no doubt you’re all looking forward to sitting down together as a family, cosy in front of a roaring fire, cup of hot chocolate in hand.
But this time of year brings with it lots of fire hazards, so it’s important to make sure you’ve taken all the necessary precautions to ensure you can enjoy the festive season worry-free.
If you’re using lights on your tree, make sure that they confirm to British Standards before you hang them up. Check over old lights for any signs of damage and recycle the lights if you find anything, as this could pose a fire risk.
And remember that any other decorations you might put up can burn quite easily, so avoid attaching them to the lights, or putting them near any heaters. Before you go to bed each night, switch the lights off and unplug them.
Now could also be a good time to give your smoke alarm a good clean so it’s free from any dust that may have built up over time. And if you don’t already have one, this is also an excellent opportunity to devise a personalised safety and escape plan so everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire.
If you have a proper fire, make sure that you put it out properly at the end of each night or don’t burn any unseasoned wet wood. Having your chimney cleaned regularly throughout the year is a good preventative habit to get into, as well.
Blocked chimneys can cause fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, so bringing in a professional a few times a year is a good idea.
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