Christmas fire safety tips

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is offering some important fire safety tips in the run up to the festive period:

• On the 1st day of Christmas: Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard.
• On the 2nd day of Christmas: Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings.
• On the 3rd day of Christmas: Make sure your family and visitors know what to do in an emergency – have an escape plan.
• On the 4th day of Christmas: Decorations can burn easily – Don't attach them to lights or heaters.
• On the 5th day of Christmas: Never overload electrical sockets and switch Christmas lights off and unplug them before you go to bed.
• On the 6th day of Christmas: The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed.
• On the 7th day of Christmas: Most fires start in the kitchen – never leave cooking unattended.
• On the 8th day of Christmas If you are planning to celebrate with fireworks, store them in a metal box, read the instructions, never go back to a lit firework and keep a bucket of water nearby.
• On the 9th day of Christmas: If you smoke, make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished before you go to bed.
• On the 10th day of Christmas: Check the battery in your smoke alarm and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust.
• On the 11th day of Christmas: Keep candles, lighters and matches out of reach of children. Never leave burning candles unattended.
• On the 12th day of Christmas: Take the time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours this Christmas – make sure they are fire safe.