NORTH Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service is urging people to stay safe throughout the festive season, when people are 50 per cent more likely to die in an accidental home fire than any other time of the year.
Station manager Simon Meynell said: “Some of the main causes of fire in the home at this time of year are candles left unattended and Christmas tree lights left on for long periods, very often overnight.” The fire service warned residents to turn Christmas tree lights off at night and unplug them from the socket.
They also issued this advice:
• Don’t leave candles unattended and keep them away from children
• Don’t overload electrical sockets
• Make sure there is a smoke alarm on each floor of the property and don’t take the batteries out to power Christmas toys
• Extinguish cigarettes before going to bed
• Plan an escape route and make sure the family knows how to get out in the event of fire.
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