Chinese New Year festivities to celebrate the Year of the Tiger is approaching. During this time it is important to ensure you celebrate safely. Take some simple precautions so you, your family and friends are safe from fire.
The festival is a period of good luck and starting afresh. As people spend more time at home entertaining and cooking for their families and guests they can easily become distracted and more vulnerable to fire.
The most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your family is to fit a working smoke alarm on each floor of your home. Consider buying an alarm with a ten year battery, otherwise change the battery every year and test the alarms once a week.
Fireworks are an important and traditional part of Chinese New Year celebrations but they pose their own risks and should be treated with caution.
Only fireworks marked with British Safety Standard 7114 should be used and instructions should be carefully followed. If you intend to put on a home display follow some simple steps.
About 60 per cent of accidental fires in the home start in the kitchen. As more time will be spent cooking for family and entertaining guests, taking a few simple measures can make all the difference. See related links to read more about kitchen fire safety.
You should never leave cooking unattended. When deep fat frying never fill a pan more than a third full with oil. Be sure to dry food before putting it in the pan. If the oil has started smoking turn off the heat and leave the oil to cool down, otherwise it may catch fire. Turn off the hob if you have to leave the kitchen whilst cooking. There is more information on what to do if your pan catches fire in the kitchen fire safety section (see related links).
Many of us enjoy using candles, particularly during celebrations and festivals, but none of us want to risk burning down our homes or put our lives at risk by not using candles safely. Read more on using candles safely (see related links).
