Christmas fire safety campaign launched

The government has launched a Christmas fire safety campaign, 'Tis the Season to be Careful', urging people to celebrate the festive season safely.

Launching the campaign, Minister Angela Smith warned that people are 50% more likely to die in a house fire over the Christmas period than at other times of the year.

The government said that fire deaths are now at their lowest level since the 1950s, with deliberate fires down by more than a third at 66,000 compared to the 2002 figure of 102,000 and serious fires over the same period have dropped by nearly a quarter (down to 139,000 from 183,000). However, Ms Smith said that more still needed to be done, especially at times like Christmas when people are more vulnerable.

The campaign features a new public information TV-filler film that illustrates the hazards and reminds people to be extra careful at Christmas time. The campaign material also features a family for whom a Christmas tree fire in their house was to have lifelong effects on their family.

The government has also released a list of twelve fire safety tips for the festive season. These are:

• 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).
• Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings. Do not leave them burning unattended.
• Make sure your family and visitors staying for the festive period know what to do in an emergency. Practice a fire escape plan.
• Decorations can burn easily - do not attach them to lights or heaters.
• 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.
• Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed.
• Most fires start in the kitchen - never leave cooking attended.
• 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.
• Make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished.
• Check the battery in your smoke alarm every week and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust.
• Keep candles, lighters and matches out of reach of children.
• Take the time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours this Christmas - make sure they are fire safe.

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Ms Smith said: "Figures show that while there has been a significant and sustained fall in the number of fire deaths the risks over the festive period are greater than normal. This hard-hitting campaign is a serious reminder that many of the things we enjoy about Christmas can all be fire hazards when proper care is not taken and provides twelve tips for festive fire safety."

(KMcA)