Christmas should be filled with merriment and celebration, but a certain type of hazardous decoration in your home could quickly turn your festive period upside down
As you hang ornaments on your Christmas tree, you should check to see what material they are made from. Decorations made from light tissue paper or cardboard can burn easily, according to UK Fire Service Resources.
As part of their Christmas Safety Advice, these two types of decorations should not be attached to lights or heaters at the risk of them catching fire.
The warning also includes keeping these materials away from fireplaces and candles to prevent any fires.
In the event that your decorations do catch fire, the most highly recommended solution by the service is to use an extinguisher – they suggest the UltraFire Water Mist option.
Not only are baubles a danger at Christmas, but UK Fire Service Resources warns over the use of fairylights too.
Households are urged to check the fuses are the correct type, as well as keeping the bulbs away from anything that can burn easily, like paper.
When going to sleep at night, or leaving the house, it is recommended to turn the lights off. Replacing the bulbs if they blow, as well as not overloading sockets, are two other tips on the list to keeping safe this festive period.
Despite being a key event in the Christmas calendar, putting up the tree itself also comes with a checklist of safety advice.
When selecting one, if opting for a real tree, make sure the needles are green and hard to pull back from the branches. This is due to drier needles, which fall off, becoming a fire hazard.
Placing the tree away from any heat sources, such as a fireplace, is also crucial advice. The heat can dry the tree out, causing it to catch alight if exposed to any flames or sparks.
Disposing of the Christmas staple correctly is imperative too.
The Christmas Safety Advice warns to “never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove” but instead, take it to a recycling centre, or have it taken away by a community pick up staff.
