Stay safe this festive season with FireAngel’s 2024 Christmas safety tips

We’re committed to helping you enjoy a safe and joyous holiday. With over 85% of UK adults having a Christmas tree in their home each year, according to Scribbler’s 2022 Christmas Tree statistics, it’s essential to keep fire safety in mind throughout the festive season. 

Christmas tree safety

Decorating a Christmas tree is a cherished tradition, but both real and artificial trees can pose fire risks if not handled properly.  

Real Trees: Keep your tree hydrated. A dry tree is highly flammable and can ignite quickly, potentially destroying furniture, walls, and carpets in under a minute. Water your tree daily to prevent this. 

Artificial Trees: If you opt for an artificial tree, ensure it’s labelled as fire-retardant. While this doesn’t make it fireproof, it will slow the spread of flames, giving you crucial extra time in case of a fire. 

Festive lights and electrical safety

Christmas lights bring cheer to your home, but they can also pose fire risks if not used responsibly: 

• Always choose lights that comply with UK Health and Safety standards and carry a British Safety Standard sign. 

• Inspect your lights for damaged wires or bulbs before use. 

• Avoid overloading sockets, and unplug lights when leaving the house or going to bed. 

• Be cautious when charging devices such as phones and tablets near your decorations. Never leave charging devices unattended or place them on flammable surfaces. 

Decorations

Many decorations are made from flammable materials, so it’s vital to position them safely: 

• Keep decorations away from lights, heaters, and open flames. 

• Avoid placing cards or ornaments directly above fireplaces. 

• Never attach decorations to electrical appliances or light fixtures. 

Candle Safety

Candles add a warm glow to your home, but they’re also one of the leading causes of house fires: 

• Place candles on stable surfaces, away from flammable items like curtains or decorations. 

• Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to sleep. 

• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets. 

Cooking and Kitchen Safety

Christmas dinner is a highlight of the season, but the kitchen can be a hotspot for accidents: 

• Never leave cooking unattended, especially when using oil, which can catch fire easily. 

• Keep flammable items like oven mitts, dishtowels, and food packaging away from the stovetop. 

• Stay alert while cooking, and exercise caution with hot liquids. 

Heat Alarms: Install a heat alarm in your kitchen to detect dangerous temperature rises. Unlike smoke alarms, heat alarms are designed for kitchen environments, minimizing false alarms while providing essential protection. 

Open fires and log burners

There’s nothing like gathering around a log burner or open fire during the holidays, but safety should come first: 

• Store logs and kindling well away from the fire. 

• Use a fireguard to protect against flying sparks. 

• Keep clothing, decorations, and other flammable materials at a safe distance. 

• Ensure your chimney is swept regularly by a professional. 

• Be aware of carbon monoxide risks. Install a carbon monoxide alarm near your wood burner or fireplace to protect against this silent killer. 

Test Your Alarms and Stay Protected

Before you settle down to enjoy the festivities, take a moment to test your smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide alarms. Ensuring these life-saving devices are working properly can make all the difference in an emergency. 

Merry Christmas from FireAngel

From everyone at FireAngel, we wish you a safe and happy Christmas!