Winter is on its way and with it comes the celebration period, Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas, shhh I agree it’s a little early for that.
Fire safety is the last thing on your mind when you’re celebrating. But think about it – lots of guests, extra decorations, people smoking – all the everyday fire risks get bigger. Don’t let fire safety stop you enjoying yourself – know the risks and plan ahead.
Decorative Lights
Decorative lights don’t get used every day so give them a bit of extra thought.
- Check the maximum amps that can be handled by the fuse in the plug. Most decorative lights should be fitted with a 3amp fuse, so don’t try and wire extra sets into the same plug!
- If bulbs blow, replace them. If bulbs continue to blow, replace the lights.
- Turn decorative lights off at night and when you go out, add this to your closing procedure.
- Don’t let bulbs touch anything that can burn easily like paper, fabrics and paper decorations.
Candles
Treat candles as you would any other flame:
- Don’t leave them unattended.
- Put them out completely at night.
- Don’t let them fall over, use a candlestick holder.
- Always place candles on heat resistant surfaces, even tea lights can melt plastic surfaces like TV tops.
- Keep them away from anything that can catch fire, like curtains, decorations and artificial Christmas trees.
- Use common sense and keep decorations and greeting cards away from heaters, lights, the fireplace and candles.
Fireworks
Given half a chance, paper decorations will burn:
- Don’t fool with fireworks, they’re explosives not toys
- Only buy fireworks marked with British Safety Standards BS7114 and always read the instructions.
Having a party
Do yourself and your visitors a favour – don’t leave fire safety to the morning after!
- Make all guests aware of fire procedures and fire exits.
- Look out for elderly people, children and anyone with problems getting about.
- Make sure exits are clear.
- If people are smoking, put out extra ashtrays and make sure all cigarettes are put out properly – cigarettes can burn at over 700oC, they’re hotter than you think!
Have a Spooky Holloween and Banging bonfire Night!
