It’s the most wonderful time of the year – but with all the fairy lights, Christmas trees and other decorations, and not to mention all the cooking – it’s also the time of year when the risk of a fire in the home increases. We thought we’d put some tips together to help you stay safe, so you can enjoy Christmas with your family with a little more peace of mind…
First and foremost, it’s so important that you have a working smoke or heat alarm in your home. These provide early detection and warning in a fire and can save lives. Be sure to check it regularly by pressing the button until the alarm sounds. If it fails to work, or chirps randomly, it may need some maintenance.
Your tenancy agreement will state whether you or Great Places are responsible for maintaining or repairing smoke or heat alarms in your home. If Great Places are responsible, please contact The Hub to arrange any repairs.
Otherwise, our advice is as follows: if your alarm is battery powered (most have a 10-year lifespan – but always check the manufacturer’s recommendations), these may need replacing. If it is hard-wired to mains electric, you should contact an electrician for advice.
We all love Christmas lights, but please be mindful that not all lights or electrical appliances meet safety standards; always check that they have a British or European safety mark. To avoid plug sockets from overheating, try not to overload them and switch off all lights and other electricals before going to bed or heading out.
When decorating, be mindful not to attach decorations to any light fittings or heaters, as they can overheat and cause a fire. Try to avoid clutter, especially in communal spaces during this time when lots of people may be around.
We all love candles at Christmas time, but make sure they are never left unattended, and keep well away from the most flammable things such as your Christmas tree or curtains. You can find our full guide for candle safety here…
Around half of accidental fires in the home start in the kitchen, and with lots of us cooking up a feast for the family over Christmas, please take greater care. If you’re enjoying a Christmas tipple, it’s best to avoid cooking if you are under the influence, and ensure pots, pans and ovens aren’t left unattended. As well as this, make sure to keep electrical leads and flammables such as towels and cloths away from your cooker, and try to avoid a buildup of fat and grease in your oven, as this can catch fire easily. Make use of any kitchen exhaust fans and keep a window open to keep the room ventilated.
Accidents can happen, so if a pan catches fire, do not move it; cover it with a lid or fire blanket to smother the flames and never pour water on an oil fire! And if your clothes catch fire, remember: ‘Stop, Drop and Roll’.
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, and what to do if the route is blocked. Ensure escape routes are clear of obstructions (such as decorations) and make sure any keys to doors or windows are on hand.
If you live in an apartment block, fire doors are fitted to provide the crucial minutes needed for you to escape in the event of a fire. For them to keep you safe, it’s crucial that they are not left propped open or blocked, whether in your home, a corridor or a communal space. You can find more information about fire door safety here…
And 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 also obstruct your door’s function as a fire door by hindering its ability to close properly. We’d kindly ask you to decorate elsewhere instead.
We hope you all enjoy this festive season, and for more information around fire safety, why not head over to our Fire Safety page, which sets out what we do as your landlord to keep our customers and our homes safe, and guides to help you clarify the procedure for your building, as well as tips on preventing fire hazards.
Pictures provided from Flaticon:
<a href=”https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/christmas” title=”christmas icons”>Christmas icons created by Aranagraphics – Flaticon</a>
