Winter can be a time full of fun and festivities but can also carry risks. Follow this advice from Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service to help you stay safe in your home throughout the winter period.
During the colder months it is important to make sure that your home remains warm. This can help stop damp & mould issues as well as health issues. Heating your home is a necessity, but heaters can come with their own risks.
| Portable heaters |
- Do not use portable heaters to dry your clothes
- Check the cables are in good condition. Do not use if the cables are frayed or damaged.
- Do not leave heaters unattended, switch them off if you are not in the room.
- Keep portable heaters at least one meter away from furniture, rugs or curtains.
- Supervise pets and children around heaters to prevent burns or other injuries.
- Keep them on a stable flat surface.
If you are struggling to heat your home efficiently, you may be able to access help from our Warm and Healthy Homes Project. If you would like help, please contact our Care & Repair Team by emailing care&repair@bch.co.uk or calling 01253 476646.
| Electric Blankets |
Faulty electric blankets can cause a fire. In order to use safely, ensure that products are bought from reputable suppliers, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Always plug electric blankets directly into wall sockets and not extension leads.
- Always turn off electric blankets at night or when you leave your house.
- Never use an electric blanket that has damaged wiring.
| Candles |
Candles can easily start a fire in your home. It is recommended to use flameless LED candles as a much safer option. LED candles are inexpensive and you can use them safely around children, pets and fabrics as they can’t start a fire.
If you do light a candle, you can make it safer by following these steps:
- Never leave a lit candle unattended.
- Place any candles in proper candle holders, with a heat-resistant mat underneath.
- Keep flames away from flammable materials like rugs, carpets and curtains.
- Never move a candle while it is lit.
- Keep all candles out of reach of children and pets.
- Extinguish all candles fully before you leave the room or go to sleep. It is not recommended to blow candles out as this can cause the flame to spread for a moment and potentially reach any nearby flammable materials. It can also spray hot wax, which can cause burns or damage surfaces. It is safer to use a snuffer or taper to gently extinguish the flame with the minimum amount of smoke.
| Tumble Dryers |
Drying clothes in the winter is challenging, and tumble dryers are used more often in the winter. If used incorrectly, they can cause a fire.
- Never leave a tumble dryer unattended. Do not leave a dryer on when you are out of the house, or overnight.
- Keep the lint trap clear in the dryer, this reduces the risk of a fire and also helps dry clothes more efficiently.
| Stay safe this Christmas |
Follow these tips to ensure you are safe this Christmas:
- Check your fairy lights are in good working order before use.
- Avoid connecting extension leads together when hanging lights and decorations.
- Switch off all lights and decorations when you go to bed.
- Never overload electrical sockets.
- Buy electrical items from reputable retailers only and always follow manufacturer's instructions.