With the holiday season just around the corner, this is a reminder to everyone to prioritise fire safety when decorating their homes. Whether you're bringing out cherished ornaments from the loft, dusting off decorations from the shed, or shopping for new ones, ensuring the safety of your Christmas decorations is vital.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service's Prevention Manager, Nikki Rice, emphasises the importance of #CheckYourDecs to guarantee a safe and joyful holiday season. While recycling and saving money are commendable goals, it should never come at the expense of safety.

"We love a bit of recycling, but it's important to make sure that saving money doesn't cost you your safety," says Nikki Rice.

To help you safeguard your home and loved ones, Avon Fire & Rescue has shared some valuable advice:

• Inspect Your Christmas Lights: Before plugging in your Christmas lights and electrical decorations, thoroughly inspect them for any signs of damage. Pay close attention to the lights, plugs, and connections. If you discover any damage, do not use them and dispose of them safely.
• Use the Right Extension Cable: If you need an extension cable, opt for the shortest one suitable for your needs, and avoid trailing cables across the floor. Say no to multiway adapters and instead choose an extension cable.
• Avoid Daisy-Chaining Extension Leads: Never plug one extension lead into another. Purchase a longer extension cable that meets your requirements to reduce fire risks.
• Fully Extend Your Extension Lead: When using an extension lead, ensure it is fully extended or unravelled. This minimises the risk of overheating, a potential fire hazard.
• Stay Within Extension Lead Limits: Don't exceed the recommended limit for your extension lead. Check the limit for your specific extension lead to ensure you stay safe.

"It's also important to make sure that your lights are being turned off when you go out or go to bed. Make it part of your nighttime routine to go around and turn off all unnecessary switches," adds Nikki.

By following these simple yet crucial steps, you can ensure that your festive decorations are safe. Let's celebrate this holiday season with peace of mind, knowing that our homes are protected from fire hazards.

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