Keep your home fire-safe this holiday season | Tenant news

It’s that time of year when Christmas trees, fairy lights and lots of cooking can increase the risk of fire in homes, but we want to make sure your home is ready for a safe and festive season. 

So, we’ve put together some simple tips to help reduce fire risks, so you can focus on enjoying the holidays with your loved ones.

Fire doors and smoke alarms

Fire doors are crucial for your safety in an emergency so never leave them propped open or blocked and be mindful with extra guests and decorations around fire doors as they can obstruct the door’s function, hinder its ability to close, or pose additional fire hazards.

Before the holiday festivities begin, make sure to test your smoke alarms. With more time spent cooking and using Christmas lights, it’s important to ensure they’re in perfect working order to reduce the risk of fire.

If you notice any damage to your doors or if your alarms need a battery change or an inspection, report it immediately to our Customer Services Team at Habinteg Direct on 0300 365 3100 or direct@habinteg.org.uk.

Decorations and electrical safety

• Christmas tree lights should always be switched off when you're not around or before going to bed. Check that your tree lights meet safety standards.
• Never fix decorations to light fittings, as they can overheat and cause a fire.
• Candles are lovely, but they can be dangerous. Never leave a room with a lit candle unattended. Keep candles away from Christmas trees, curtains, or anything else that could catch fire.
• Don’t attach decorations to heaters—they can overheat and catch fire.
• Don’t overload plug sockets and always check that any new electrical appliances have a British or European safety mark.
  
  

Cooking safety

The kitchen is where most fires start, so be extra cautious when preparing holiday meals. Make sure you stay close by while cooking, and never leave pans and ovens unattended.

If a pan catches fire, don’t try to move it—turn off the heat if it’s safe, and smother the flames with a lid or fire blanket.

Never pour water on an oil fire and if you’re feeling drowsy from alcohol or medication, skip the cooking.

Make sure you have a heat alarm in the kitchen. This detects an increase in temperature caused by fire but won’t be set off by cooking fumes.

Communal areas

With more people around for the holidays, it's important to keep communal areas clear of clutter.

Make sure bikes, prams, and Christmas decorations aren’t blocking corridors or stairwells. And remember, never wedge open communal doors.

Escape plan

It may sound like something out of a Christmas movie, but having a fire escape plan is essential. Make sure everyone in your household, including guests, know where the fire exits are and what to do if a route is blocked.

Keep escape routes clear of decorations, and make sure keys to doors and windows are easily accessible for a quick getaway. If anyone needs extra help evacuating, let us know, and we’ll work with you to create a safe plan and inform the fire service.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy a festive, fire-free holiday season with peace of mind. For more safety advice, visit our Health and Safety  hub.

If you need more advice on keeping your family safe from fire all year round, not just at Christmas, contact your local Fire Brigade  to book a free home fire safety visit.