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Stay safe this Christmas

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With twinkling lights lining the streets, the scent of mince pies in the air and plenty of Christmas adverts dominating our screens, it is clear that the festive season is now upon us. Christmas truly is a fantastic time of the year however, due to extra distractions, it is also a time of year when the risk of fires in the home can increase.

A house fire can be devastating at any time of the year, but particularly so at Christmas, so we urge people to think about fire safety in the home during this festive period. A few simple things like turning off fairy lights, taking care with candles and not leaving cooking unattended, can make all of the difference.

Furthermore, we would also encourage everyone to have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of their home and have an escape plan to get out of the house in the event of a fire. If you have loved ones that do not have smoke alarms, perhaps consider buying them one for Christmas as it could be a gift that may well save their life. You can also check if they are eligible for a free Home Fire Safety Check by calling our Community Risk Department on 0800 032 1155.

Throughout the festive period, our fire crews and control staff will maintain their 24 hour watch across the two counties as they do around the clock throughout the year.

Further advice on Christmas fire safety can be found on the 'Your Safety' section of the website. Don't forget to also follow @HWFire on Twitter for regular fire safety advice as well as our special festive fire safety tips for each of the 12 days of Christmas.

Finally, on behalf of everyone at Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, I would like to wish you all a very merry and safe Christmas and New Year.

Mark Yates
Chief Fire Officer