Christmas safety tips

The festive season is well and truly here! It’s so easy to get caught up in all the excitement of Christmas, that we often forget about our health and safety at this busy time.

Make a note on the following safety tips to ensure you have a safe and happy Christmas with your loved ones!

1. Remember your Christmas tree is a fire risk

Real or fake, your Christmas tree is a fire risk, make sure you put up your tree well away from all heat sources. If you have a real tree, always make sure you replenish the water in the stand, a dry tree can be fully engulfed in flames in seconds and quickly spreads to the whole room. Artificial trees should be labelled, certified and identified by the manufacturer as fire-resistant.

2. Check your fairy lights

Inspect your lights for any cracked bulbs, frayed cord or loose wires. Damaged lights on trees can be a fire risk and handling them can be dangerous as they can cause an electric shock. If you’re buying new lights, check they have the British Safety Standard logo on the packaging.

3. Switch off at night

Always switch your lights off when watering the tree and no matter how tired you after an eventful day of festive activities, always make sure you switch your lights off the tree and unplug them, turn off all electrical devices and ensure all candles have been blown out. Fairy lights may be the cause of up to 20 fires each year!

4. Be careful in the kitchen

You know what they say “too many cooks spoil the broth”, well too many people in the kitchen at one time can be very dangerous, with hot pans and utensils out and all the rushing around. More than 80,000 people a year need hospital treatment for injuries such as falls, cuts and burns during the festive period, according to the NHS!

5. Keep your holiday plans low-key

Jetting off somewhere warm for Christmas, or staying with relatives? Make sure you keep your plans to yourself and don’t be tempted to share your whereabouts on social media. Burglars would love to know that your house is empty but don’t give them this information. If you are away this Christmas, make sure all valuable items are out of sight, lock your doors and windows and if you can, set some timers on your lights to make it look like someone’s home. Ask a trustworthy neighbour to keep their eye out.