Christmas

Fire Safety at Christmas

As we approach Christmas, it is important to bear in mind that the number of fires in the home increase. There are a number of reasons why this happens. Therefore it is important to take even greater care of your fire safety at Christmas than would normally be the case. This blog highlights the hazards around Christmas trees and decorations as well as the importance of your smoke detectors.

CHRISTMAS TREES & DECORATIONS

Christmas tree lights, however small, emit a level of heat and have been known to cause both natural and artificial Christmas trees to catch fire. So; remember to turn the lights off before retiring to bed at night.  If you are going out to a party or event, it is probably a good idea to turn them off before going out.

Don’t hang paper decorations too close to lights or any other potential sources of heat. These could easily catch fire; and it doesn’t take long for a small fire in a living room to develop into a major incident.

SMOKE DETECTORS

Another piece of advice is to check your smoke detectors. These will give you early warning of any fire; so this is a good time of the year to ensure they are operating and, if necessary, install fresh batteries. Best practice is to have a heat detector in the kitchen; a smoke detector in the living room (or the room in which the Christmas tree is located); with an additional smoke detector at the top of the stairs.

WATCH THE VIDEO

The video attached lasts about ten minutes; however, it is well worth watching. Simply click on the link and feel free to copy or send it to your friends or anyone else you think might benefit from watching the video.

Have a very enjoyable and safe Christmas.

Best Wishes,

David Black – Director, DB Fire Safety Limited

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Temporary Workplace Staff & Their Fire Safety at Christmas

With the advent of Christmas just around the corner, as a retailer you could well be taking on temporary staff to help with Fire Exit Keep Clearyour additional Christmas workload.

Christmas can be extremely busy time of year but, as a business owner you must not shirk your responsibilities in meeting the requirements of The Fire Safety Order 2005. The Fire Safety Order 2005 comes into play if you employ more than 5 people; you must have a documented fire risk assessment and you are required to provide adequate fire safety training for all Christmas temporary staff.

A nominated competent person should be given the responsibility for training temporary and/or contract staff in respect of the procedures to be followed should a fire emergency occur.

First and foremost, all temporary/contract staff should be made aware of the fire risks and hazards within their work areas in an effort to ensure they keep their working environment safe.

Training all your staff – both permanent and temporary in general fire safety awareness – makes them aware of all the potential risks to your business of a fire starting.

Training, will ensure that they do not endanger your business through unsafe practices. They will also be more aware of potential hazards and, therefore, more inclined to bring them to your attention.

The list below includes one or two advice tips to follow

  • If there is a fire, are your staff and temporary staff aware of escape routes?
  • It goes without question that all escape routes must be kept clear of any obstacles at all times.
  • Particular training should be paid to disabled staff, staff with special needs and young staff
  • Have your temporary staff been made aware of dangerous substances and how these dangerous substances could put them at risk in the case of a fire?

Please feel free to contact DB Fire Safety for more information in respect of Fire Risk Assessments and Fire Risk Training by calling 0800 772 0559

Stay Safe This Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner, let’s make Christmas not only a special time for celebration but also a safe Stay Safe This Christmastime for celebration.  The following are a few fire safety advice tips to help you make your home and family safe this Christmas.


Fairy Lights – as you know, there are a whole range of fairy lights from wreaths, garlands and outdoor lighting.

  • First of all check that the fuses are the right type (you will find this important information by referring to the fairy lights’ box for the maximum size of fuse you should use).
  • If any of bulbs have blown, replace them.
  • Please do not leave any fairy lights on when you go out or when you nod off in the chair or go to bed.  In other words, do not leave them unattended.
  • If you display your presents around the tree, make sure that the bulbs do not touch anything that could burn easily, for instance, the wrapping paper.
  • It’s tempting but please do not overload your sockets.
  • Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard (BS EN 60598).

Decorations

  • Decorations made of light tissue paper or cardboard can burn easily.
  • It goes without saying that you must not attach decorations to lights or heaters.
  • Please do not display your Christmas decorations above or around your fireplace.
  • Make sure that all your decorations are kept at a safe distance from candles.

Christmas Trees

Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house because a burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.

Christmas Tree Selection

  • Before buying your fresh Christmas tree, make sure that the needles are green and difficult to pull back from the branches. The needles should not break off if the tree has been freshly cut.
  • Check out the trunk because it should be sticky to touch.
  • Do not put up a tree too early because they will only last up to two weeks before becoming a fire hazard.
  • Perhaps the Christmas tree sales person will not be happy with this approach but you can identify an old tree by bouncing the tree truck on the ground.  If many needles fall off – buyer beware – because the tree has been cut too long, it’s probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
  • An interesting thing to note is that the risk of fire is higher with natural trees than artificial ones.
  • If you prefer to buy an artificial Christmas tree then make sure that there is a label identifying it as fire retardant.

Caring for Your Tree

  • Do not place your tree close to a fireplace or heat vent because the heat will dry out the tree – it’s advisable to place your tree at least three feet from these heat sources
  • Do not place the tree near a fireplace with a real fire because the heat, flames and sparks could easily ignite the tree.
  • Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree.
  • Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Disposing of Your TreeCandles at Christmas

Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it safely. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to your local recycling centre.

Lit Candles
Candles are becoming more and more popular whether its Christmas or not. Please remember never to place lit candles near your Christmas tree, decorations or furnishings and never leave a burning candle unattended.

May I take this opportunity of wishing you all a very merry, but safe, Christmas from DB Fire Safety Limited.