Warwickshire County Councils Fire and Rescue Service are asking residents to put fire safety at the top of their Christmas list and follow their 12 Christmas fire safety tips.

For many people, the Christmas period is an opportunity to spend more time at home, use decorative lights and candles, cook festive treats and have a few drinks. All of which can increase the risk of having a fire in the home.

To avoid any incidents Warwickshire Fire and Rescue have published 12 useful tips on their website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/christmassafetytips.

Moreno Francioso, Community Fire Prevention Manager said:

“We are all busy over the festive period and with the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, fire safety is often the last thing on our minds.

“But in reality, the start of festive celebrations, bring a whole cocktail of fire risks into the home, from the distractions of a crowded house while cooking, to the potential dangers of overloaded plug sockets, flammable decorations and unattended candles.

“I would recommend people to look at our website for helpful tips on how to stay safe this Christmas.”

Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for Community Safety, Councillor John Horner said:

“Fire safety is important throughout the year but the extra distractions of Christmas make it especially important to be vigilant.

“Christmas is a time of celebration with family and friends.  We want to keep it that way.  By being aware of the risks and making a few simple checks, you can ensure that you and your loved ones can celebrate safely.”

Cllr Phillip Johnson, Chair of the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, added:

“We want everyone to remember Christmas for the right reasons, so we urge residents to follow the safety advice and check that tree lights and electronic goods stored away over the winter period have been checked thoroughly before using them. Also why not take a little time to check that relatives, neighbours and friends are safe too.”