Christmas is almost here! The turkey needs cooking, the mulled wine needs warming  - there’s a lot to think about and its easy to get distracted, but Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service want you to celebrate Christmas safely this year.

Although it's important all year round, the extra distractions at Christmas make it vital to be vigilant during the festive season and more than half of accidental fires during the Christmas period are started in the kitchen making this a high risk area.

Last year in Devon & Somerset 18% of the fires in December and January took place in the Christmas week and the majority of these were kitchen and cooker related.

There are several things you can do to prevent fires in the kitchen:
• Never leave cooking unattended - a moment’s distraction can lead to damage in your home to the value of thousands of pounds – or in the worst case a tragedy
• Take pans off the heat or turn the heat down if you're called away from the cooker, e.g. by a phone call
• With all the Christmas celebrations avoid cooking after drinking alcohol or taken prescription drugs - you may get drowsy or lose concentration
• Take care if you’re wearing loose clothing as it can catch fire easily
• Turn saucepans so the handles don't stick out over the edge of the hob or over another ring

Plan a Escape Route
Make sure your family and visitors staying for the festive period know what to do in an emergency. Make a fire escape plan and check everyone knows it.

Toxic Smoke
Should a fire break out your family and friends need to be aware of the danger of toxic smoke, most people vastly underestimate it’s deadly strength. They overestimate how long they have to escape should a fire break out. The reality is that just two to three breaths of smoke in a fire can render a person unconscious.

Smoke Alarms
Ensure you have a working smoke alarm installed on all levels of your home. Test your smoke alarms weekly and never remove batteries to power presents!  Use Christmas as a reminder to clean them and remove any dust.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service offer free home safety visits and will check for unsafe practices within the home to request a Home Safety Visit call free on: 0800 73 11 822.

For other fire safety advice, contact the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Helpline on: 01392 872288 or visit our website www.dsfire.gov.uk

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For further information contact Press Officer Suzie Izzard on 01392 872296 or email sizzard@dsfire.gov.uk