The Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit (EFRU) has issued information and guidelines on how to avoid fires during the festive season.

With Christmas around the corner, many people have already put up their Christmas decorations. The holiday lights make the place look festive and welcoming and Christmas wouldn’t be quite the same without a Christmas tree. Unfortunately, things can go wrong. So here’s how to avoid Christmas Fires…

1. Maintain your lights

Every year before putting up the Christmas lights, check them thoroughly and make sure there are no frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, excessive kinking in the wires or general wear and tear. If you see any of these, throw the lights away. Damaged electrical wires can overheat or short-circuit, causing excessive heat or sparks that start fires.

2. Do not overload Electrical Sockets

Avoid plugging in too many appliances or electrical Christmas decorations into the same wall socket or extension. Where possible, use different wall sockets. Check the wires and extension plugs every so often – they should not be warm to the touch. Avoid running wires underneath carpets, as they can get damaged and overheat as people step on them.

3. Avoid leaving the lights on at night or when you go out

Turn off all lights, candles, fires, etc when you leave the house or when going to bed.

4. Non-flammable decorations

All decorations should ideally be non-flammable or flame retardant and placed away from heat vents or heat sources.

5. Don’t block exits

Ensure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block an exit way. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit puts you and your family at risk.

6. Avoid using lit candles

Consider using battery-operated flameless candles. They can look, smell and feel like real candles.

7. If you do use lit candles

Make sure the candles are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn. Never leave a room or go to bed with candles burning.

8. Never put lit candles on a tree

Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame – for example, candles, lighters or matches.

Below is a video by the The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) showing just how fast a Christmas tree can burn.

Permalink: EFRU advice on how to avoid fires during the festive season