Stay safe celebrating Chinese New Year

Tomorrow (Sunday 14 February) is the start of the year of the Tiger - Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has a message for all those taking part in the Chinese New Year celebrations.

County Fire Officer Steve McGuirk said, “With people spending more time at home - cooking while entertaining or celebrating with family or friends, the risk of fire can increase during major celebrations such as Chinese New Year.

He continued, “People are more likely to be distracted during this time of year and therefore more vulnerable to the dangers of accidental fire. We understand that the New Year festivities are very special to the Chinese communities, but by taking just a few simple precautions you can greatly reduce the risks for yourself and your family.”

• Fit working smoke alarms on each floor level in your home. Consider buying an alarm with a ten year battery, otherwise change the battery every year and test all alarms once a week.
• Treat fireworks with great caution. Try to attend an organised event and only buy fireworks marked with British Safety Standard 7114 and always read and follow the instructions.
• At all times, keep flames from candles at a safe distance from curtains, furniture and decorations. Long hair and clothing are also very flammable. Keep the flame out of reach of children and animals. Children should be supervised at all times near flames.
• When cooking deep-fried food, dry it before you put it in the hot oil. If the oil starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave the pan to cool. Never fill the pan more than one-third full of oil. Never throw water over the pan.