Make sure you and your loved ones are safe at home during the festive season | News

The festive season is a time for celebration, but it’s also a time to be extra vigilant about your home’s safety.

With Christmas trees, lights, candles, and cooking all in the mix, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your home. Here are some important fire safety tips to ensure you have a safe and merry Christmas:

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1. Whether you prefer a real or artificial tree, both can pose fire risks if not handled properly:

Be mindful that not all lights or electrical appliances meet safety standards: always check they have a British or European safety mark

• If you have a real tree: make sure your tree is fresh. A dry tree is highly flammable. Keep it watered daily and ensure the base of the tree is always filled with water.
• If you have an artificial tree: choose one that’s fire-retardant. Look for a label that confirms the tree complies with fire safety standards.
• Positioning your tree: keep your tree away from heat sources like radiators, fireplaces, and candles. Ensure it’s a safe distance from exits so everyone can evacuate quickly in case of an emergency.

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2. Wreaths on doors and decorations in communal areas (not allowed):

Whilst it might seem nice at this time of year to decorate your front door with a Christmas wreath – decorations such as these are fire hazards as they are highly flammable and obstruct your door’s function as a fire door by hindering its ability to close properly.

If you live in a block with shared communal spaces, wreaths on doors are not allowed in line with our sterile communal area policy and we’ll politely ask you to remove them if they are seen. We’d kindly ask you to decorate elsewhere instead.

Please don’t install other decorations such as tinsel in communal areas, either. We’re sorry to have to ask – but these can also pose serious fire risks.

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3. Christmas lights:

Christmas lights add festive charm, but can also be a potential fire hazard if not used safely.

• Check for damage: before putting up lights, check all wiring, plugs, and bulbs for signs of damage or wear. Discard any faulty lights.
• Use certified lights: only use lights that carry the British Standard mark or CE marking. These indicate that the lights meet the required safety standards.
• Don’t overload: avoid overloading sockets by connecting too many sets of lights. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the number of lights that can be safely used on a single socket.
• Turn off when not in use: always turn off Christmas lights when you leave the house or go to bed. Consider using a timer to automatically switch off lights after a certain time.

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4. Use candles safely:

Candles are a beautiful way to enhance your Christmas decorations, but can be a significant fire hazard if not used responsibly. We’d always recommend that you use battery-powered candles if possible.

• Keep candles away from flammable materials: always place candles away from decorations, wrapping paper, curtains, and any other flammable materials.
• Supervise candles: never leave candles burning unattended and always keep them out of reach of children and pets.
• Extinguish before bed: always make sure candles are fully extinguished before you go to sleep or leave the room.
• Use a stable holder: place candles in stable holders or lanterns to catch any drips and prevent the candle from tipping over.

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5. Stay safe in the kitchen and whilst cooking:

The kitchen is often the centre of activity during the Christmas period, but it’s also where many fires start. Around half of all accidental fires start in the kitchen, so please take extra care – particularly if you’re enjoying a Christmas tipple. It might be safer to avoid cooking if you’re enjoying a festive drink or two.

• Don’t leave cooking unattended: stay in the kitchen whilst cooking and keep a close eye on all appliances. If you need to leave the room, turn off the stove or oven.
• Keep combustible items away from heat: keep tea towels, paper towels, and oven mitts away from heat sources like the stove, grill, and oven.
• Try to avoid a buildup of fat and grease in your oven: this can catch fire easily. Make use of any kitchen exhaust fans and keep a window open to keep the room ventilated.

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6. Smoke alarms save lives:

Smoke alarms are crucial for alerting you to a fire in your home, which is why you should have them on every level of your home. They should be placed on the ceiling, preferably in the middle of the room.

Test them regularly - and if you have any concerns, please let us know so we can come and check them to make sure they’re working as they should.

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7. Know your escape plan: 

Having an escape plan is essential in case of a fire emergency. If you live in an apartment block, it’s particularly important that you, your family, and any guests know where the fire exits are should the worst happen, ensure escape routes are clear of obstructions (such as decorations) and make sure any keys to doors or windows are to hand.

• Create a plan: ensure all household members know what to do in case of a fire. Identify two ways out of each room and establish a meeting point outside the house.
• Practice the escape plan: especially with children, so everyone knows what to do if the fire alarm goes off.
• Keep exits clear: make sure all escape routes, including doorways and windows, are free from obstructions. Never block a window or exit with decorations or furniture.