Celebrate Safely

Why do you need to think about fire safety when you just want to relax and enjoy yourself? Times when people get together and celebrate ‑ at a party, say, or a religious festival  are times when there are more deaths and injuries from fires. You're relaxed or distracted, you're cooking in a rush, there are more people than usual in your home, people are drinking or smoking. Your home is decorated, you have put up extra lights and candies. All the usual risks get bigger. So you need to be extra careful. This section highlights what to watch out for and what steps you can take.

Here are some tips on enjoying lights, candies, decorations and fireworks safely.

Lights

  • Fairy lights, Christmas tree lights, multiple sets of lights and other kinds of decorative lights get used less often than your everyday lights, and they need more care.

  • Check the fuses are the right type (see the box for the maximum size of fuse you should use)

  • If bulbs blow, replace them

  • Don't leave fairy lights on when you go out or when you go to sleep

  • Don't let the bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, like paper

  • Don't overload sockets

Candles

  • Candles have naked flames, and they need to be treated with respect.

  • Don't leave them burning in a room with no one in it

  • Don't put them in or by a Christmas tree, plants, flowers or foliage. 

  • Ribbons and other decorations around the candle holder could also catch fire 

  • Make sure they're in holders that won't fall over 

  • Put night lights or tea lights on a heat‑resistant surface Keep them away from curtains and furniture, and not under a surface, like a shelf 

  • Don't put them where they could be knocked over easily or where people could burn their clothes or hair on them

  • Make sure they're completely out - not smouldering

Decorations

  • Decorations made of light tissue paper or cardboard burn easily.

  • Don't attach them to lights or heaters

  • Don't put them immediately above or around the fireplace

  • Keep them away from candles

Fireworks

  • A quick reminder of how to be safe with fireworks

  • Keep fireworks in a metal box and take them out one at a time

  • Read the instructions by torchlight not by a flame

  • Don't go back to a firework once it has been lit

  • Keep a bucket of water nearby

A True Life Case

Unhappy Christmas

On the evening of Christmas Eve 2002 the Thompson family from Blackpool went out for the evening. On their return they were devastated to find their lounge in flames. They immediately called the fire brigade who fought to save their home. "I remember thinking how lovely our house looked, with all the fairy lights on the tree and round the window. Our holiday was ruined, we spent New Year in temporary accommodation" says Judith Thompson. "We were told that the fire was started as a result of the tissue paper decorations touching the tree lights. I will be so careful in the future, it's been just too dreadful to risk happening again".

Celebrate Safely: People and Parties

  • When you have people round for a party or some other occasion, think ahead

  • If you have guests staying the night, make sure they know how to escape safely

  • Know of any features they may not be familiar with - for example, how to open the front door

  • Tell guests where the door keys are

  • Take particular care of elderly people, children and people with disabilities

  • If there are smokers put out enough ashtrays, so ash or butts don't get dropped in places like waste paper bins

Checklist

IF THERE'S A FIRE:

  • Tell everyone in your home

  • Get everyone out

  • Call 999

  • Don't go back in
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