Don’t let the good feeling go!
Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is asking residents not to let the good feeling go – as they launch their innovative Christmas Fire Safety Campaign.
In November and December last year, there were 64 house fires, some of which were so serious that lives were put at risk and families were left homeless over the Christmas period.
The main cause of these incidents were saucepans / grills being left unattended when cooking and kitchen appliances such as dishwashers and microwaves being left on stand-by.
Firefighters will be at ASDA, Chesterton Drive between 10 and 2pm on Thursday 18 December promoting free home fire safety checks to local residents.
Area Risk Manager, Simon Ellershaw said: “You are 50% more likely to die in an accidental house fire during Christmas than at any other time of the year, which is why we are launching this hard-hitting campaign.
"We hope that residents will think twice about fire safety over Christmas and encourage them to have simple safety measures in place, including a working smoke alarm and escape plan.”
By following a few simple steps a fire over the Christmas period could be avoided:
* Decorations can burn easily – don’t attach them to lights or heaters. Fit and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home.
* Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed.
* Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard. Always use a * Residual Current Device on outdoor electrical equipment (safety device that can save lives by instantly switching off power).
* Switch off electrical items when not in use, unless they’re designed to stay on.
* Switch heaters off if you’re not in the room and also when you go to bed.
* Never leave cooking unattended – it’s very easy to be distracted when you are entertaining family or friends.
Images to highlight the campaign will be on billboards in Warwickshire to ask residents not to let the good feeling go.