Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 03/12/2007 18:01

Cornwall County Fire Brigade are warning the public of the dangers of fire during the Christmas period. You are 50% more likely to die in a house fire during the Christmas season than at any other time of the year.

To promote the Christmas fire safety messages, firefighters have teamed up with Currys department store in Truro to show reel a Christmas safety DVD.

“From 1 December, Currys in Truro are showing our DVD. The DVD shows how quickly a Christmas tree can catch fire and spread. Simple safety rules help to ensure that doesn’t happen in your house. It is vital that the public are aware how to protect themselves and their families from fire this Christmas, it is a time for celebration not for tragedy” said Community Safety Officer Dave Pilling

He cont: “Firefighters were at the store on Saturday offering free advice and giving away free smoke alarms to the first 50 customers. If they already have a smoke alarm, as it's wrapped, they can give it as a present!”

There are twelve tips for festive fire safety; these also appear on the DVD.
> On the 1st day of Christmas - Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard. Always use an RCD on outdoor electrical equipment (safety device that can save lives by instantly switching off the power).

> On the 2nd day of Christmas - Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings. Don't leave them burning unattended.

> On the 3rd day of Christmas - Make sure your family and visitors staying for the festive period know what to do in an emergency. Practice a fire escape plan.

> On the 4th day of Christmas - Decorations can burn easily - Don't attach them to lights or heaters.

> On the 5th day of Christmas – Switch off electrical appliances when not in use, unless they’re designed to stay on. Take special care with Christmas lights. Always switch off and unplug Christmas lights before you go to bed.

> On the 6th day of Christmas - Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed.

> On the 7th day of Christmas - Most fires start in the kitchen - never leave cooking unattended.

> On the 8th day of Christmas - If you are planning to celebrate with fireworks, store them in a metal box, read the instructions, never go back to a lit firework and keep a bucket of water nearby.

> On the 9th day of Christmas - Make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished.

> On the 10th day of Christmas - Check the battery in your smoke alarm every week and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust.

> On the 11th day of Christmas - Keep candles, lighters and matches out of reach of children.

> On the 12th day of Christmas - Take the time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours this Christmas - make sure they are fire safe.

“We are happy to support this fire service campaign. Fire safety in the home is extremely important, and the greater use of electrical items during the festive season means we need to be extra careful” said Currys Store Manager Adrian Lessiter

Fire officers from Cornwall County Fire Brigade can come to your home to check for any fire risks and install free working smoke alarms on each level of your home. Call 0800 3581 999 to request a free home fire safety check.

For more information please contact Davinia Grist on 01872 322785 / 07773 342905

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=723