Stay safe this Christmas

Smoke alarms

The most important thing you can do to stay safe over Christmas is check that your smoke alarms are working. If they don’t work, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting the Customer Hub on 0300 123 3456 or via our website.

Christmas trees

If you opt for a live tree, remember that they can dry out and become a fire hazard, so make sure you:

• Keep it well-watered
• Place it away from heat sources
• Dispose of it after the festive period (check your council website to find out their tree collection dates)

Fairy lights

• If you’ve had your Christmas lights for a long time, consider replacing them with newer LED ones which meet much higher safety standards and don’t get as hot
• Turn all the lights off before you go to bed and whenever you go out
• Be careful not to overload sockets with lots of plugs from multiple strings of lights
• Don’t let the bulbs touch anything that can easily burn

Candles and tea lights

• Put your candles or tea lights in snug-fitting holders on flat, heat resistant surfaces – please do not put them on your Christmas tree
• Make sure all candles and tea lights are completely put out before you go to bed or if you go out
• Place them away from curtains and out of any draughts
• Make sure there’s more than a metre between your candles or tea lights and any surface above
• Keep them well out of reach of children (and pets!)

Paper chains and other decorations

• Make sure you keep any decorations and cards well away from heaters, lights, candles and tea lights.

More festive fire safety

Building safety colleagues Stephanie and Dana share their advice for staying safe this Christmas.

https://youtu.be/0k-uKGr23Zk

More safety tips

The Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) also has useful festive tips and advice:

• If toys need batteries, never use the batteries from a smoke alarm.
• Look out for small items that young children could choke on, such as parts that have fallen off toys or from Christmas trees.
• Give yourself and any helpers enough time to make Christmas dinner to avoid accidents with hot fat, boiling water and sharp knives that can happen when we rush.
• Use scissors to open packaging and screwdrivers to put together toys rather than a knife.
• Watch out for trailing cables and wires when you connect new gadgets and appliances, and always read instructions.
• Falls are the most common accidents and around 700 people die from stair falls in England every year so make sure stairs are well-lit and free from clutter, especially if you have guests.
• Don’t drink and drive, and plan long journeys so you won't be driving tired.