Christmas poses additional fire safety risks in your home.
It’s important to make sure your festive decorations are safe to avoid the risk of fire.
Christmas Trees
- Christmas trees are incredibly flammable, and the smallest spark can set your tree alight.
- Select a younger, newly felled tree which has a strong green colour, as aged real trees tend to be drier and more flammable.
- Water your real tree daily, which increases fire resistance as well as keeping it healthier for longer.
- Keep your tree away from open fires.
Christmas Lights
- Check that your Christmas lights are in good working order and are bought from a reputable retailer.
- Make sure that your Christmas lights carry the British Safety Standard sign.
- Use outdoor light displays responsibly.
- Extension leads generate heat so should be used carefully.
- Never make a chain of extension leads.
- Always fully extend wind-up extension leads, ensuring they can be used externally if they are being used outdoors.
- Always turn off your Christmas tree lights before going to bed or going out and take the plug out from the socket. They should not be left unattended.
Christmas Decorations
- Decorations can burn easily so don’t attach them to lights or heaters.
- Keep decorations and cards away from a fireplace.
For more information about fire safety in your home, visit our dedicated help and advice page.
Top tips:
- Smart plugs and timer plugs are a useful tool to help you control your Christmas lights.
- Before leaving your home, take a picture of your switched off lights to stop you worrying that you haven't switched them off and to give yourself some peace of mind.
