Fire risk increases with Christmas ‘distraction’

A HOUSE fire can be devastating at any time of year but especially so at Christmas – and at this time of year the risks of fires in the home, especially the kitchen, can increase.

Kitchen fires are common at any time of year but particularly at Christmas when large numbers of people are in the home and those cooking can easily become distracted.

There is so much going on at Christmas, including family and friends visiting, excited children, lots of decorations and presents all over the house and the general stress of organising everything. With all this going on it can be easy to forget about basic fire prevention.

At Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service we want everyone in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to enjoy themselves this Christmas – but we also ask that you take a few seconds to make sure you and your family stay safe.

Be careful with candles and Christmas lights – turn them off before you leave the house or go to bed. Most importantly, make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every floor of your house.

And, if you know of family members who do not have smoke alarms, consider buying them one as a Christmas present. This is a gift that could save their life if they were to have a fire in their home.

To find out more Christmas safety advice, log onto www.cambsfire.gov.uk

On behalf of everyone at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service I would like to wish you a very happy and most importantly safe, Christmas and New Year.

GRAHAM STAGG

Chief Fire Officer

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service