Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 16/12/2

Cornwall County Fire Brigade is urging members of the public to follow “The “Twelve Days of Christmas” - 12 simple safety messages which will ensure they have a safe and festive Christmas and New Year.

“Every year Fire Service’s across the Country see an increase in fires and road traffic accidents around Christmas and New Year” said Cornwall’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates . “We can only presume that this is because people tend to relax a lot more than at any other time of the year. Unfortunately while relaxing we can easily forget simple safety precautions that could save us from these tragic accidents”

Cornwall Fire Brigade’s fire safety campaign this year focuses on twelve safety messages: ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. The Brigade hopes that if members of the public follow the rules they will have a safe and festive Christmas.

The Twelve Days of Messages are :
• On the First Day of Christmas the Fire Service said to me:
Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard and NEVER use candles on or near a Christmas tree.
• On the Second Day of Christmas the Fire Service said to me:
Candles are causing more fires every year. NEVER leave them burning unattended, always remove candle decorations before lighting and use suitable holders
• On the Third Day of Christmas the Fire Service said to me:
A smoke alarm is not an Early warning…. it’s your ONLY warning. EXCUSES KILL, GET A SMOKE ALARM!
• On the Fourth Day of Christmas the Fire Service said to me:
Make sure all open fires and heaters are adequately guarded and that decorations cannot fall on them
• On the Fifth Day of Christmas the Fire Service said to me:
Last thing before bed extinguish all candles, empty ashtrays, check the kitchen and close all doors
• On the Sixth Day of Christmas the Fire Service said to me:
The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater when alcohol has been consumed
• On the Seventh Day of Christmas the Fire Service said to me:
Use Christmas as a reminder to change your smoke alarm battery and to clean it and remove dust
• On the Eighth Day of Christmas the Fire Service said to me:
Don’t overload electrical sockets. Keep cables tidy – avoid trip hazards
• On the Ninth Day of Christmas the Fire Service said to me:
Most fires start in the kitchen. NEVER leave cookers unattended
• On the Tenth Day of Christmas the Fire Service said to me:
If the worst should happen, how will your family escape? Make a fire plan NOW!
• On the Eleventh Day of Christmas the Fire Service said to me:
Smoking materials can cause fires…dispose of cigarette ends WISELY
• On the Twelfth Day of Christmas the Fire Service said to me:
Spare a minute to check on elderly relatives and neighbours – are they as safe as safe from fire as they could be?

Davinia Grist, Public Relations Officer said “Cornwall County Fire Brigade hopes everyone has a very Merry Christmas and not a deathly silent one. Keep you and your family safe by adhering to our simple safety warnings. For free advice and leaflets freephone 0800 3581 999”