Christmas is a time to celebrate family and friends but don't let excitement become grief. The CFA have the following advise for all of us.
The CFA warns families to take a closer look at their
Christmas tree or fairy lights this year and attend to any signs of wear
and tear – such as missing globes or frayed wiring – by ditching old
lights or buying replacements.
Natural Christmas trees need special care, become they are extremely
flammable when they dry out, says CFA home fire safety expert Chris
Barber, who warns that electrical faults are one of the top three causes
of household fires each year, with overloaded power boards a common
culprit.
Top tips to keep fire out of your home this Christmas:
1. Inspect your Christmas lights and fairy lights for any sign of damage or wear and tear.
2. Don’t use light sets with missing globes.
3. LED Christmas lights do not get as hot and use less power.
4. Use no more than three sets of lights per power board, even if there are four or more outlets on it. Avoid using double adaptors.
5. Make sure electric cords are completely uncoiled and are not placed under rugs or mats.
6. Place your tree as far as possible from any heat source, curtains or furnishings.
7. Maintain water in the base of natural Christmas trees to stop them drying out and remove lights once they show signs of drying.
8. Take care with candles, incense sticks and oil burners. Always make sure they are away from flammable items such as curtains and that they cannot be knocked over.
9. Always keep matches, candles and lighters away from infants and small children.
10. Check that your smoke alarms are working. Christmas tree fires can generate a lot of heat quickly and spread to the rest of the house.
Read More at the CFA
Top tips to keep fire out of your home this Christmas:
1. Inspect your Christmas lights and fairy lights for any sign of damage or wear and tear.
2. Don’t use light sets with missing globes.
3. LED Christmas lights do not get as hot and use less power.
4. Use no more than three sets of lights per power board, even if there are four or more outlets on it. Avoid using double adaptors.
5. Make sure electric cords are completely uncoiled and are not placed under rugs or mats.
6. Place your tree as far as possible from any heat source, curtains or furnishings.
7. Maintain water in the base of natural Christmas trees to stop them drying out and remove lights once they show signs of drying.
8. Take care with candles, incense sticks and oil burners. Always make sure they are away from flammable items such as curtains and that they cannot be knocked over.
9. Always keep matches, candles and lighters away from infants and small children.
10. Check that your smoke alarms are working. Christmas tree fires can generate a lot of heat quickly and spread to the rest of the house.
Read More at the CFA
