Festive cheer could go up in smoke in under a minute
It wouldn’t feel like Christmas without tinsel and twinkly fairy lights but if you want to stay safe this festive season, it’s important to take simple steps to reduce the risk of fire. 
In 2009 there were 16 house fires over the Christmas period* in Gloucestershire, resulting in two people being injured. To highlight the importance of fire safety this Christmas, a video showing a festive front room going up in flames is available on www.glosfire.gov.uk/xmas
The video counts down the seconds as a house fire sparked by faulty fairy lights takes hold, showing people just how little time they have to escape should a fire break out.
Fire fighters from across the county will also be getting out and about in communities between now and December 24th raising money for the Fire Fighters Charity and giving out Christmas fire safety information.
Many people are unaware of the potential fire hazards and toxic threats that can lurk in fairy lights, candles and flammable Christmas decorations. Dry Christmas trees, decorations and wrapped presents are also all extra fuel for a potential fire. Latest figures from the Fire Kills campaign show a rise in the number of accidental fire deaths and injuries over the festive period last year. 
Chief Fire Officer, Chris Griffin, said: “The risk of fire in the home is an issue all year round but people are particularly vulnerable at Christmas. This can be for many reasons, ranging from unsafe electrical decorations and candles left unattended through to cooking after drinking alcohol. 
“People also underestimate the deadly strength of toxic smoke and overestimate how long they have to escape should a fire break out. The reality is that just two to three breaths of smoke in a fire can render a person unconscious.”
Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, Gloucestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Youth, said: “Christmas should be a time for celebration, not tragedy. That’s why I’m urging people to be fire aware and stay safe. The best thing you can do is get a smoke alarm and check it regularly. This can give you and your family the necessary warning to get out in the early stages of a fire, which should allow the Fire Service to get to you more quickly.” 
Top tips to stay safe this Christmas
•	Ensure you have a working smoke alarm installed on all levels of your home. Test your alarms weekly and never remove batteries to power presents! 
•	Never leave cooking unattended and avoid cooking after drinking alcohol. The majority of fires start in the kitchen. Always turn off kitchen appliances when you have finished cooking. 
•	Never leave candles unattended. Keep decorations, cards and wrapping paper away from candles, fires, lights and heaters. 
•	Ensure you switch off fairy lights and unplug them before you go to bed or leave the house. Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard (BS EN 60598). 
•	Always use an RCD (residual current device) on outdoor electrical equipment (This safety device can save lives by instantly switching off the power if there is a fault and can be found in any DIY store). 
•	Don’t overload sockets – only one plug per socket. Always turn off plugs when they are not in use, except those that are designed to be left on, like freezers. 
•	Make sure cigarettes are extinguished properly and never smoke in bed. 
•	Check on older relatives and neighbours to ensure their safety. 
•	And finally, in the event of fire: get out, stay out and call 999. 
For more information on fire safety in the home, go to www.glosfire.gov.uk or www.direct.gov.uk/firekills or ring 0800 180 41 40 to arrange a visit.
If you know an older or vulnerable person who hasn’t got a smoke alarm and may be at risk from fire, then call 0800 180 41 40 to book a visit from a Community Safety Adviser. Remember if you are nominating someone else for a home fire safety check then you must get their permission first.