As we celebrate the upcoming festive season and the colder evenings, Christmas fire safety is an essential consideration before you get too cosy and comfortable over the holidays.
As the festivities commence, a lot of us will be spending more time at home rather than outdoors, which hugely increases the risk of causing fires, which some may not be aware of. There are numerous fire hazards to be aware of, and we have listed some of the most common in this article to ensure you practise Christmas fire safety as well as possible.
A forest in your living room: dry Christmas trees
Real authentic Christmas trees are a beautiful addition to your home and really encourage everyone to get into the spirit of the holidays. However, once they begin to dry up, the chance of causing a fire is high. It is important to water the trees frequently and sufficiently to prevent them from drying. Another way to prevent your Christmas tree from drying up is to use a live one, which can easily be replanted in the garden after the festivities end.
A cosy Christmas: lit candles
There is nothing quite like an ambience and array of bright candles while watching a Christmas movie with your family or friends. It is crucial that you are in a position where you can keep an eye on any lit candles in the home and attend to them at all times to prevent a fire from breaking out.
Keep candles away from children and ensure you remember to blow them out when you are done with them. A great alternative is to use electric candles, which are far safer but still provide the same comforting feel as regular candles.
Christmas dinner: kitchen fires
Christmas dinner is always somewhat of a challenge each year. Cooking the turkey at the right temperature, making sure the roast potatoes are crispier than last year and dishing up twelve even plates of food is just the beginning. Grease is just one of the factors that can cause a fire in your kitchen at Christmas time. The oven may overheat and if you are working with a gas stove in such a busy period, you may also put your kitchen at risk. Take care when cooking in the kitchen and make sure you have a fully working fire extinguisher at hand in case of an emergency.
Christmas gadgets: electric socket overload
Adults, teens and children united, everyone is ready to charge up their anticipated Christmas gadgets as soon as the wrapping paper hits the floor. However, plugging in too many electrical items in a single socket is a huge risk for fire to occur. Investing in a heavy-duty electrical power source is a much safer option when enjoying any electrical items.
Warm home: forgotten furnace
In colder months, it is no question that most of us will turn the heating up for a better night’s sleep. If any blades of your furnace are loose, they can create sparks inside the furnace and cause a fire. It is essential that you check the furnace regularly and also keep it clean.
Burnt the turkey?: activate smoke detectors
In such a busy period, it is easy to forget about the little tasks you are in the middle of – such as cooking or baking. A fault in your smoke detector can easily miss when smoke begins to fill a room. It is good to ensure that every smoke detector in your home is working correctly to prevent a fire from spreading further.
A crackling fire: up in flames
It’s noted in every Christmas movie that the festivities haven’t begun until the fireplace is lit. While it is an enjoyable experience, having a lit fireplace is extremely dangerous if not cared for properly. If you light your fireplace, keep in mind that you should have someone present at all times to keep control of the burning wood. Any flammable liquids or objects that could catch fire should be kept at a reasonable distance away from the fireplace.
Fire escape: plan efficiently
A fire is something that is unplanned and dangerous to deal with, but with the right Christmas fire safety in place, you can be organised and ready to escape in the event of a fire. Establishing a fire exit route for all guests will ensure everyone knows where to go if a fire gets out of hand and an evacuation is necessary.
Christmas fire safety equipment
Having fire safety equipment at home is not just for Christmas. It is important to have working equipment that can help prevent or limit the spread of fire all year round. Fitting and testing fire alarms, checking smoke detectors, ensuring fire extinguishers are fully operational and having fire blankets at hand are all great ways to protect your home and loved ones.
Our expertise has led Coopers Fire to become a leader in fire safety. For more information on our non-intrusive, life-saving fire and smoke protection, or our educational training courses, call us on 02392 454 405 or email info@coopersfire.com.
