Enjoy the Festivities, Be Merry and Stay Safe
Accidents happen, particularly at Christmas when your home is much busier than normal with friends and family, excitement is high, and everyone’s patience is worn thin. During the Christmas period over 80,000 people are treated in hospital, we’ve assembled some of the key hints and tips to stop you from being one of them!
Protect Your Home
Burglary becomes more prevalent during the festive season, with more people away from their homes, gifts and new purchases.
- Windows and doors should be locked even when you’re in the house.
- Don’t advertise that you’re going away for Christmas on social media.
- Have a trustworthy neighbour or friend keep an eye on your property while you’re away.
- Remember to set your house alarm, it’s no good having one if it’s not actually on.
- Put lights inside and outside on timers so they go on and off at normal times. Having your lights on or off constantly makes it more obvious no one is home.
- If you’re having a Christmas party, make sure you know who all your guests are.
- Keep presents out of sight in a safe place and don’t put them under the tree too early.
- If you’re going away ask the post office to hold your mail, they’ll deliver it when you return.
Pay Attention in the Kitchen
Leaving cooking unattended is one of the most common causes of fire, 49% of people have had an accident while preparing Christmas food.
- If you need to leave the kitchen, remember to turn everything off before doing so.
- Keep all the excitable children (and adults) out of the kitchen, overcrowding increases your risk of injury dramatically.
- Wait to enjoy your first Christmas drink with your meal, don’t have one if you’re cooking. Alcohol makes you feel disorientated and slows down your reactions, both very dangerous in a fire.
- Have smoke detectors and heat detectors in your home.
- If there’s a spill, wipe it up as soon as it happens, you don’t want a trip to A&E on Christmas Day.
Candles Can be More than Merry and Bright
Candles are popular around Christmas and create a festive atmosphere however, lit flames and decorations aren’t a good combination.
- Candles must be secured in a proper holder and away from flammable materials e.g. Christmas trees, decorations and curtains.
- Don’t leave children or pets with lit candles.
- Extinguish candles when leaving the room and before going to bed.
- Trim the wick to ¼ inch each time before burning.
- Don’t move lit candles.
- Follow manufacturer’s recommendations on burn time and proper use.
- Don’t burn multiple candles close together.
- Tea-lights may look pretty but can get very hot so keep them in the proper holder.
- Use a snuffer to put out candles, it’s safer than blowing them out.
Your Tree is Magical, but a Fire Risk
Whether it’s real or fake your Christmas tree is a fire risk, a burning tree can very quickly become fatal. You must purchase your tree from a reputable retailer and kept away from heat sources like your fireplace or candles.
Real trees should have fresh green needles and a trunk that is sticky to touch. If you bounce the tree on the ground and needles fall off, the tree is dried out and a fire hazard. Always keep your tree stand filled with water, the stand should be sturdy, so it doesn’t tip over.
Don’t leave your tree up for too long. The best way to dispose of your real tree after the festivities is to take it to a recycling centre or contact a community pick up service.
Be Sensible with Decorations
Christmas decorations can cause accidents, 1 in 50 people fall out their loft while trying to get decorations out for the festive period. Be as careful as possible when putting up your decorations, it’s important not to over-reach yourself and use a ladder if need be. Decorations should be kept away from heat sources, fires and children. Keep in mind, they’re not toys and don’t have to comply with toy safety regulations.
Ornaments are Fragile
Glass ornaments are easily broken, pick up the pieces you can see and wrap them in newspaper before disposing of them. Sweep the area and hoover to get the smaller bits you can’t see. Keep an eye out for anything on the floor, with more guests, tree needles and the rest of the décor anything could be potentially harmful especially to pets and small children.
Go Easy with The Lights
It’s incredibly festive to cover your entire house in lights, but not only will it keep your neighbours awake it can be a hazard. Read the instructions before decking the halls.
- Always check your buying the real deal, they should have safety marks like the British Standards Kitemark.
- Don’t buy lights that have too good to be true prices, they may be fake.
- Switch lights off when you go to bed or out. Consider a timer-plug to automatically switch the lights off after a pre-determined time.
- Use a protected socket for outdoor lights and a surge-proof plug adaptor.
- Consider LEDs, they emit less heat and cost less to use.
Watch Out for Trailing Wires
With more lights at Christmas comes more cables and an increased trip hazard. If you’re putting up lights, try to make sure they’re close to a socket. Alternatively, keep wires at the edges of the room and cover them with cable covers or choose battery operated lights for indoors.
Overloading Power Sockets
With all the extra decorations comes overcrowded sockets. Don’t buy cheap multi-plug extensions, it can lead to a big electrical mess or even a fire. Buy a surge protector and limit the amount of electricals you use.
Don’t Let Your Pets Get Caught Up in the Festivities
To your pet, tinsel may seem like a toy, but it can cause serious harm if digested. Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias are also toxic if ingested by dogs or cats. Do your research and check with your vet before you give your pet anything at Christmas time.
Logs on the Fire
Never put anything but logs on the fire, greenery and wrapping paper, particularly metallic materials, will burn much faster and cause sparks. The fire should be out, and embers cooled before you leave the house or go to bed. Have a professional check your chimney at least once a year. Any firewood should be kept a safe distance away so they don’t get too hot and ignite.
Don’t Let Ash Fly Away
Ash from your fire can be a hazard, it should be fully cooled before removing it and disposed of in the correct way with safety gloves. Use an ash can or bucket to remove it carefully. You can recycle ash.
Check Your Smoke Alarms
A smoke alarm that isn’t working is as effective as not having one at all. Check them frequently and if you can’t remember when you last changed the batteries, replace them.
Carbon Monoxide
If you don’t have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm get one and test it regularly, winter is peak time for CO poisoning. Any rooms with a fireplace should be properly ventilated and the chimney clear.
Christmas Shopping Online
Shopping online saves time and money, but it’s important to be aware of the risks and how to avoid them. Only purchase from reputable shops with a secure internet connection, it’ll have https:// and a closed lock in the browser window.
Don’t click on suspicious pop-ups, strange links or use public Wi-Fi, this increases your risk of getting hacked. If you only use one credit card for all online purchases means less hassle if it’s stolen. Have the latest protection software on your device and change your password regularly.
If you’re buying for someone who’s picky, check the return and refund policy before placing your order.
Shopping Old School
If you’re going shopping, don’t carry large amounts of money, your wallet or purse is a prime target for criminals. Only use cashpoints in busy well-lit areas and stay alert to your surroundings. Pickpockets rely on you getting distracted by the crowds.
If you’re with children, make sure they know how to identify members of staff if they become separated from you.
Giving Gifts
Presents can turn everyone into a child on Christmas morning, take time to enjoy the moment. Watch what you’re doing when assembling toys, clear up wrapping paper as you go and recycle.
If you know you’ll need them, stock up on batteries before Christmas and don’t take them out your smoke alarm. When buying gifts for children, don’t just focus on what’s age-appropriate for that child. Think of the whole household and extended family, anyone who might want to play with the toy and ensure it’s safe for them. Check toys meet the correct British standards.
Be Prepared for Christmas Parties
Plan any Christmas night out, you should stick with your friends; always know how you’re getting home and have your mobile phone with you. Watch your drinks and food so nothing is added, don’t let strangers buy you a drink and drink responsibly.
On the way home, put your keys, mobile and some money in your pocket, so if someone does take your handbag you can escape quickly.
If you believe you have been a victim of a drink spiking report it as soon as possible to the police via 101.
Winter Weather isn’t Always Jolly
Christmas usually comes with some snow but mostly ice, make sure your driveway and walkways are gritted, rock salt is a quick and cheap method of doing so. Wear the proper clothing and shoes so you’re protected against the elements.
Get to Your Destination Safely
With the changes in weather comes changing road conditions and increased stopping distances. Be prepared for unexpected changes on the road, even if you think you know the road well driving too fast can put yourself at risk.
Vehicles must be in good condition for winter, checks should be carried out on your tyres, brakes, windscreens, wiper blades and windows. This list isn’t extensive. It’s particularly important if you’re going on long journeys.
Take Time for Yourself
It’s no secret that Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but it can be stressful. Try to give yourself some alone time and don’t feel bad about saying no to demands of relatives or friends. If you need to talk, find someone you trust or through a third party.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from everyone at the Asset Protection Group.
About APG
The Asset Protection Group comprises a group of Fire & Security companies with shared ownership and one common goal, protecting your most important assets. As a collective group, we look to offer protection to your assets to assist you with your ongoing success within your own business.