Be a bright spark this Christmas

With the festive period in full swing, fairy lights are twinkling across the UK.

Over the last five years, 21.5% of Nottinghamshire’s domestic fires during the Christmas period were electrical fires. This is 1.5% higher than the yearly average.

Additional pressures from the cost-of-living crisis this winter have created further fire risks in the home. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is already finding an increase in incidents as people take greater risks and find new ways to keep warm.

From Christmas lights, portable heaters, and new gadgets – don’t be tempted to take dangerous risks with your safety.   

Top Christmas electrical safety tips

• With all the extra lights and decorations plugged in over Christmas, never overload sockets
• Make sure your Christmas lights are still safe for use.
• Look out for frayed cables and wires and never use electrical goods with exposed wires
• Switch off all appliances when they are not being used, and before going to bed – this includes Christmas lights
• Make sure that all products you purchase have a British or European safety mark. Electrical Safety Matters has a Safe Shopping guide to help you steer clear of counterfeit goods when shopping online
• It’s party time – unplug your hair dryer or hair straighteners and leave them on a non-flammable surface before you leave the house
• Never plug one extension lead into another. This is called ‘daisy chaining’ and can create a serious fire hazard

Electric blankets

Store electric blankets flat, rolled up, or loosely folded to prevent damaging the internal wiring. Unplug blankets before you get into bed unless it has a thermostat control for safe all-night use. Never use an electric blanket if you have an airflow pressure relief mattress, or use emollient creams.

• Do not place heavy items on top of the blankets while it is being stored
• Let the blanket cool down before storing in a cool, dry place

Portable heaters

• Turn off portable heaters before going to bed
• Always follow the manufacturer's operating and maintenance instructions
• Keep the heater clean and well maintained
• Whatever type of heater you use, do not
  • move a heater while it is alight or switched on;
  • stand or sit too close, your clothing may ignite;
  • place a heater too close to furniture, bedding or curtains;
  • air or dry clothes over a heater;
  • place heaters where they are likely to be knocked over;
  • leave a portable heater on if young children or animals are left unattended;
  • use flammable adhesives, cleaning fluids or aerosol sprays near a heater.

Always ensure you have working smoke alarms on each floor of your home or workplace.