19/12/2023
Staying fire safe this Christmas
Amongst all the festive cheer and time spent with loved ones, it’s important to think about fire safety and how to reduce the risks. The number of fire hazards in your home will increase at Christmas time, due to lights, decorations and more time spent in the kitchen. Keep reading to find out how you and your family can have a safe, yet magical Christmas this year.
Cooking
With everyone wanting your attention to open presents and play games, cooking Christmas dinner for your whole family can feel stressful. Give yourself plenty of time to prep and cook the dinner so that you can avoid hot fats, boiling water and burnt food. Limit distractions whilst cooking and never leave the oven unattended - it only takes a few seconds for a fire to start. You should always check your appliances such as toasters and air fryers for faults before using them and clean them after every use. Keep flammable materials like tea towels away from cookers and hobs and never put water on flames or a smoking pan, as this will cause it to explode.
E-bikes and E-Scooters
E-bikes and E-Scooters are becoming increasingly popular, and if you’re buying these as a gift, it's essential that you purchase from reputable sellers and only use the manufacture approved charger. If you live in a block of flats, you should never store or charge your scooter in communal areas or near escape routes. If there was a fire, these would stop people from escaping the building quickly and safely. Your scooter should be stored in a cool place, ideally in a dedicated storage unit and should only be charged when you’re awake and at home.
Lights
One of the best things about Christmas is the twinkly lights and decorations, but these can be a serious fire hazard if not used safely. When buying any Christmas lights make sure they carry a British Safety Standard sign to comply with Health and Safety standards in the UK. Check your lights aren’t broken or damaged before you use them and remember to unplug fairy lights or other electrical decorations before you leave the house or go to bed. Only use a single plug per socket, and never overload an extension lead. You should regularly check your plugs and sockets for burn marks and loose wiring, and if they feel hot or the fuses blow for no reason, stop using them and contact an Electrician.
Portable heaters
If you’re using a portable heater this Christmas, remember to keep it at least a meter away from flammable materials, especially your Christmas tree! Use your heater on a flat surface and never leave it unattended. You should purchase heaters from a trustworthy retailer and it’s always a good idea to register these, so that you’ll be made aware of any product recalls or safety information in the future.
Fire prevention starts with you
To fully protect your household, you should regularly test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms around your home, to make sure they’re in full working order. This small step could save your life in the event of a fire, so set a reminder each month so that you don't forget. If you have any problems with your alarms, please report a repair to Flagship Services as soon as possible.
As your landlord, we insure the structure of your home, but this doesn’t include what’s in it. Your home is where you keep the possessions that mean the most to you, so you should make sure you have contents insurance in place. If the worst was to happen, a contents insurance policy could cover the cost of replacing your personal items to help put things right. You'll find more information about contents insurance on our website.
As always, we’re here to help if you have any concerns or unanswered questions. Give us a call on 0330 123 1860 or find out how to contact us in a way that suits you below!