Fire service message following festive incidents

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is asking the public to make it their New Year’s Resolution to protect their homes.

The festive season is well and truly over, and luckily it passed in Greater Manchester without too many serious fire-related incidents.

But elsewhere, fire crews dealt with several significant incidents including a number of fatal fires. Sadly, many of the fires that occurred in homes across the UK during Christmas and New Year could have been prevented if a few simple precautions had been put in place.

Unattended cooking and carelessly discarded cigarettes are two of the most common causes of accidental fires, and these risks don’t just vanish when the festive season is over.

As the cold weather and dark nights continue, more people rely on heaters and candles which can also cause serious fires if they are not used responsibly.

Between Christmas Eve and 2 January GMFRS dealt with 81 accidental house fires, down from 107 the previous year.

To help reduce that figure even further this year, the service is urging the public to take the basic steps to protect their homes.

Accidental fires can involve electrical items such as fairy lights and heaters; cooking equipment; alcohol and cigarettes; and candles.

Chairman of the Greater Manchester Fire Authority, Councillor David Acton, said: “I hope that everyone enjoyed their Christmas and New Year celebrations and I’m pleased to see a reduction in incidents in Greater Manchester which is partly down to the hard work of our crews who carry out Home Safety Checks and promote fire safety in the community, and the public who have taken on board our advice.

“But we would like to keep these incidents down and now the festive season is over and people are getting back to work and into their daily routines, it’s important to be reminded that fire in the home remains a serious risk, not just over the festive season but all year round.

“So please take a few moments to read our safety advice and if you haven’t had a Home Safety Check, please make it your New Year’s Resolution to call us.”

Fire service advice for staying safe this winter: 

• Ensure you have a working smoke alarm installed on all levels of your home. A working alarm can give you the vital time needed to escape in a fire. Test your smoke alarms regularly and never remove batteries.
• Never leave cooking unattended. The majority of fires start in the kitchen so this is a high risk area. Avoid cooking while under the influence of alcohol and always turn off kitchen appliances when finished with them.
• Never leave candles unattended. Keep candles in a secure holder, out of the reach of children and away from flammable material such as curtains, lights and heaters.
• Put your cigarette out - right out. Make sure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take care when drunk or tired. It's easy to fall asleep while a cigarette is still burning and set furniture alight. 
• Don't overload sockets - ensure only one plug per socket. Always turn off plugs when they are not in use, except those that are designed to be left on, like freezers.
• Make sure that everyone in your home knows what to do in a fire - in the event of fire: get out, stay out and call 999.