Stay safe this Christmas

By Editor on December 18, 2018

Many of the things we enjoy over the Christmas period, such as the fairy lights, candles, paper hats and decorations, can all be fire hazards when proper care is not taken.

Follow Cheshire Fire & Rescue’s 12 days of Christmas fire safety tips to make sure you’re safe this Christmas.

12 days of Christmas fire safety tips

Day 1: Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard.
Day 2: Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings and don’t leave them burning unattended.
Day 3: Make a fire escape plan – just in case you have an emergency during the festive period.
Day 4: Decorations can burn easily – Don’t attach them to lights or heater.
Day 5: Always switch Christmas lights off and unplug them before you go to bed.
Day 6: Remember! After drinking alcohol, the risk of accidents in the kitchen is greater.
Day 7 tip: Most fires start in the kitchen, so don’t leave cooking unattended.
Day 8 tip: Drive safely this Christmas.
Day 9 tip: If you smoke, make sure that your smoking material is extinguished before you go to bed.
Day 10 tip: Use Christmas as a reminder to clean your smoke alarm to remove dust.
Day 11 tip: Don’t overload plug sockets.
Day 12 tip: Check on elderly relatives and neighbours – make sure they are fire safe.

Leaflet – winter safety tips

The following leaflet contains safety advice, to keep you safe this winter:

Leaflet – winter fire safety tips (new window PDF 325kb)

Stay safe on the road this Christmas

The annual Christmas Drink Drive crackdown in Cheshire is launched in December each year. Our warning to motorists for the festive period is always – If you’re driving don’t drink!

If you plan to have a drink at Christmas, please leave your car at home.

Christmas road safety advice

Carry out your own home safety check

Complete our online home safety check and you will get a personalised fire safety plan, which will offer advice on how to prevent fires in your home.

Do the online home safety check

Book a Safe and Well Visit for over 65’s

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service will fit free smoke alarms for people who are aged over 65 and for people who are referred to us by partner agencies because they are considered to be at a particular risk.

If you are over 65 years of age and you live in Cheshire, you can arrange for a Firefighter or a Community Safety Advocate to visit your home for a free home safety visit. During the home safety visit advice will be given on how to make your home safer, what to do in the event of a fire and what to do if you are trapped by a fire. Free smoke alarms will also be fitted (if needed) with an explanation on how to maintain them correctly.

Make sure that grandparents and other elderly relatives, neighbours and friends are safe from fire this Christmas, by booking them a free Safe and Well visit.

Book a home safety visit for over 65’s