Christmas related items you may not know are flammable

It’s that time of year again! Christmas is fast approaching, so you’ll be soon pulling the Christmas decorations out of the attic. However, there is a hidden danger with Christmas items, as some of them pose a fire safety risk. The last thing you want during the Christmas period is a fire putting yourself, family and possessions at risk, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the most flammable items Christmas may bring into your home and advise you on how to prevent increasing these fire risks in your home. 

Food

The food at Christmas is often a big part of the holiday, as many people indulge themselves with rich chocolates and hearty roast dinners. The kitchen already poses a fire risk, so with added food and guests, the risk only increases. Ingredients such as flour, sugar, alcohol and oil are extremely flammable, so keeping them away from open flames and having necessary safety precautions (such as a fire blanket or fire extinguisher) will prevent or control burning fires.

Gifts

Everyone gives gifts with the best intentions, but some gifts can start fires when used incorrectly. To avoid giving faulty tech gifts, only buy from reputable retailers and buy gifts suitable for the age of the receiver. Also, make sure you buy extra batteries around Christmas time, so if you get any battery-powered gifts, you won’t be tempted to take batteries out the fire alarm!

Decorations

Putting up your Christmas decorations often signifies the beginning of the Christmas season and brings the family together. During this joyous time, it’s important to keep in mind the extra potential fire hazards in the home.

These include:

Fairy lights

If you own fairy lights that have seen a few too many Christmases, then perhaps it’s time to get some new ones that have a higher level of safety in the fuse box. We recommend always reading the manufacturers guide before use, to ensure you know how to prevent misuse. Use LED lights over traditional lights, as they operate at a lower voltage and generate less heat, which reduces the chance of an electric shock and fire. Not only are they much safer than traditional lights, but they are also more efficient to run – making them more environmentally-friendly. To prevent accidental fires, make sure you only switch on your lights when you’re in the house and awake, so you can be immediately aware of any issues as they arise.

Furthermore, during the Christmas period, you’ll likely be pulling out the extension cords and using more electricity than usual. Make sure you use safety approved extension cords and don’t overload them to avoid electrical fires.

Tinsel

Tinsel is made from PVC, a highly flammable material that once lit, is consumed by fire in seconds. Tinsel is always placed on the tree with fairy lights, so by making sure they don’t touch fairy lights that have a tendency to overheat, you’ll be preventing potential fires.

Christmas tree

Whether you have a real or fake tree for Christmas this year, always take measures to prevent them from being the cause of a fire. Place your tree away from furniture and curtains, so in case it does catch fire, it takes longer to spread. Also, if you’re opting for a real tree this year, make sure you choose a freshly cut one, as old one dry out quickly, making it more susceptible to catching on fire.

Here at Cheshire Fire, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality fire safety equipment, training and assessments to businesses. Our guidance will give you the peace of mind your premises reach all the fire safety legislation, therefore keeping yourself and employees safe in their place of work. If you’d like more information on our services, please get in touch with a member of our team today.