Festive safety tips
The festive season is a time when friends and families come together, homes are decorated and celebrations are in full swing. As we enjoy this busy time of year, it is important to remain vigilant about fire safety. To help you stay safe, we have provided a selection of practical safety tips.
Take care of your Christmas tree, menorah and festive decorations
When decorating your home, following these tips can help you stay safe from the risk of fire:
- Water your real Christmas tree regularly to prevent it from drying out and catching fire.
- Make sure your curtains, blinds, shutters and any other flammable materials are kept away from the menorah candles, if you’re displaying this in your window.
- Keep decorations and greeting cards away from open flames.
- Consider using battery-powered, flameless LED candles. If you decide to use candles, keep them away from Christmas trees, curtains or anything else that could catch fire.
- Switch off any fairy lights by the plug socket when you leave your home.
- Buy fairy lights from a trusted supplier and check them for any damaged wires or loose connections before use.
Avoid overloading plug sockets
Don’t overload plug sockets by adding multiple extensions and adapters. If you’ve been gifted an e-bike or e-scooter this Christmas, you can find tips on how to charge them safely on the London Fire Brigade website.
Fire safety in the kitchen
More than half of fires in homes start in the kitchen. To prevent a fire:
- Double check the cooker and hob are turned off when you’ve finished cooking.
- Never put anything metal in the microwave.
You can find more kitchen safety tips on the London Fire Brigade website.
Check your smoke alarms
Test your smoke alarms regularly. If your alarm is not mains powered, don’t forget to replace the batteries when needed.
Prepare for an emergency
Have a fire extinguisher on hand and learn how to use it. Familiarise your family with the escape plan and make sure everyone knows how to evacuate safely in case of an emergency.
Keep communal areas safe and tidy
It’s important to keep your communal areas clear when it comes to fire safety. By working together, we can keep homes clear, tidy and safe. Hallways, stairwells, courtyards and other shared spaces are vital escape routes in an emergency, and items left in these areas can block exits and create hazards.
How you can help
- Keep personal items inside your home – make sure no prams, bikes, scooters, clothing racks, furniture or similar items are left in communal areas. Clear areas make it easier to evacuate safely and allow emergency services to do their jobs effectively.
- Dispose of rubbish properly – extra waste, especially around the festive season, can clutter shared spaces. Check your local collection schedule, place bins out on the correct day, break down cardboard and packaging, avoid overloading bins and recycle where possible.
- Book a bulky waste collection – for large items such as old furniture or appliances, contact us on 020 8221 4000 to arrange a bulky waste collection after the holidays.
By keeping communal areas clear and disposing of rubbish responsibly, we all help create a safer, cleaner and more pleasant environment for everyone.
Damp and mould
If you’re dealing with damp, mould, or condensation, we’re here to help and will act promptly to resolve it.
Health and safety
Protecting your health and safety is important to us, and we’re dedicated to making your home safe.