Thursday 20 December
14.00
Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) is urging people to celebrate Christmas safely this year in response to a spate of house fires in the region.
Since the beginning of December the service has attended 45 fires started accidentally in homes, which have led to the rescue of more than 20 people by firefighters. And with Christmas Day fast approaching AF&RS is keen to ensure local residents don’t have their celebrations ruined by fire. By following a few simple precautions members of the community can considerably reduce the risks faced by householders.
Chief Fire Officer / Chief Executive Kevin Pearson said: “We all want to be able to enjoy this time of year and clearly an emergency visit from the fire service is the last thing anyone would want on Christmas Day.
“The cold weather and festive mood creates some very specific dangers, but a few basic steps will mean everyone can celebrate safely.”
This December AF&RS has already rescued more than 20 people from fires started by a range of causes, including:
- loose clothing set alight by open or electric fires;
- faulty or unattended electric blankets; and
- clothes or tea towels being dried on storage or portable heaters.
CFO / CE Pearson said: “Given the sorts of incidents we have attended this month it is apparent that the elderly and disabled people are particularly at risk. If you are paying a Christmas visit to relatives it could be worth taking a few minutes to run through some basic fire safety advice with them.”
Download the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ safety leaflet which is also available from AF&RS’s Headquarters in Bristol or from Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s Community Safety Centres at Weston-super-Mare, Bath, Speedwell, Bedminster, Southmead and Yate Fire Stations. Alternatively the leaflets can also be downloaded from AF&RS’s website at www.avonfire.gov.uk. Christmas safety films can also be viewed at www.firetv.org.uk
However according to CFO / CE Pearson it is not just the elderly and disabled who are at increased risk during the festive season.
“If you are preparing the Christmas lunch this year please give a thought to how much you are drinking; alcohol and cooking really don’t mix . Candles continue to prove a problem; while they are undoubtedly very pretty it’s so important to make sure they are positioned well away from curtains and furniture and are not left unattended,” said Kevin.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service provides free Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSV) to any member of the community, during which smoke alarms will be fitted free of charge. Members of the community can call freephone on 0800 1693 999 for to arrange a HFSV.
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