Seven ways to celebrate safer
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1. Smoke Alarms
Test your smoke alarm weekly.
The easiest way to protect your family and home is to fit a smoke alarm.
- Fit a smoke alarm on each level of your home.
- Test your smoke alarms weekly.
- Special alarms are available for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Never disconnect the batteries from your smoke alarm.
2. Candles
Never place candles near or on your Christmas tree.
Candles are naked flames and they need to be treated with care.
- Don't leave them burning in an empty room.
- Don't put them on or too close to a Christmas tree, plants, flowers or foliage.
- Make sure all candles are in holders that are stable and heat resistant.
- Avoid placing candles too close to curtains and furniture or where they can be easily knocked over.
- Extinguish candles when you leave the room.
- Never place candles on a plastic bath or on top of the TV.
3. Christmas Cooking
Take care when cooking.
Take great care when cooking this Christmas. Over half of all domestic fires start in the kitchen.
- Don't be distracted by a phone call or a knock at the door.
- Never leave cooking unattended even for a moment.
- Never leave young children alone in the kitchen.
- Don't cook when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Keep matches out of the reach of children.
- Take care if you are wearing loose clothing, they can easily catch fire.
- Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.
- Keep electrics away from water.
- Don't put anything metal in the microwave.
4. Safe Escape
Make sure everyone in the house is aware of the escape route in the event of a fire.
Family and friends may visit and stay over the festive season. So be prepared and make sure everyone knows how to leave the house safely.
- Make a fire escape plan for your home.
- Keep all exits and passageways free from obstructions.
- Make sure everyone knows where the keys for the doors and windows are kept.
- When going to bed always ensure that all electrical items are switched off, candles are extinguished and all doors are fully closed.
- Have a back-up escape plan in case your original route is obstructed.
5. Christmas Lights
Don't overload your electrical sockets with too many Christmas lights.
Before you install your Christmas lights a few simple checks that will keep you safe.
- Ensure your Christmas lights conform to British standards or the European "CE" mark.
- Check to ensure that the lights are fitted with an approved plug with a 3 amp fuse or a mains transformer for low voltage lights.
- Only use the correct spare bulbs and ensure that a fuse bulb (normally painted white) is fitted.
- Always remove the plug from the mains before changing bulbs.
- Don't let the bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, like paper.
- Don't overload sockets.
6. Outdoor Christmas Lights
Check your lights for damage before switching on.
- Ensure your Christmas lights conform to British standards or the European "CE" mark and are suitable for outdoor use.
- All outdoor lights should be waterproof and weatherproof.
- Always buy good quality electrical outdoor lighting equipment from a reputable retailer.
- Test the Residual Circuit Device (RCD) in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations by means of the integral test button on the unit.
- If in any doubt to the safety of outdoor lights switch them off and consult a qualified electrician.
7. Residual Circuit Device (RCD)
Always fit a RCD (Residual Circuit Device) to Christmas lights.
An RCD is a safety device that switches off the electricity automatically when it detects an earth fault.
- Any socket outlet that may be used for plugging in portable electrical equipment that is to be used outdoors should have RCD protection.
- Check that you are protected by an RCD with a maximum rated operating current of 30 milliamps (mA).
- RCD's need to be tested quarterly. This normally involves pressing the test button on the unit and checking that the RCD switches off the supply immediately.
8. In the event of fire
- Stay calm.
- Call 999 as soon as possible.
- Don't tackle it yourself unless safe to do so.
- Don't waste time trying to find valuables.
- If there's smoke, keep low where the air is clearer.
- Before you open a door, check if it's warm. If it is, don't open it-fire is on the other side.
- Remember-get out, stay out, call 999.
