• December 22, 2020

Top tips on how to stay safe this Christmas

After what feels like a long and dismal year, a lot of us have thrown caution to the wind and gone early with our Christmas decorations in an attempt to lift spirits and spread a little festive joy.

As the excitement builds for the big day, we wanted to share some of our top tips for staying safe – a few extra precautions that may seem obvious now, but can easily slip your mind on the run-up to Christmas.

So, let’s get started.

Fire safety

Burn candles safely

Candles are popular all year round, but more so during the festive season. There are a plethora of scented Christmas candles to choose from – be it cinnamon, pine, fir, orange zest, winter spice, sandalwood, etc – and they come in all sorts of colours, shapes and sizes. You can even buy decorative Christmas candle holders too.

However, you must never place candles near your Christmas tree, furnishings or any other items that can come into contact with the flame. Keep candles, lighters and matches out of reach of children. And never leave burning candles unattended.

Test your fire alarm

Ok, so this is probably the least of your worries when there are presents to be wrapped, mince pies to be eaten and mulled wine to be drunk! But you must check that your fire alarm and battery are working at all times.

With fairy lights – both indoors and out – and various other electricals, there is bound to be a lot more pressure on your sockets, not to mention the addition of candles on the fireplace, windowsill or kitchen table. Testing your fire alarm regularly will ensure that it will sound in the unfortunate event of a fire. And the best bit is, all it takes is a weekly check and a quick clean to remove any dust.

Kitchen safety

Be vigilant

If you’ve hosted Christmas before, you’ll know just how hectic things can get in the kitchen. You have a list as long as your arm – from preparing the vegetables and arranging the table to making sure the turkey doesn’t burn in the oven! Which is why it pays to be extra vigilant in the kitchen at Christmas time.

Loose materials can catch fire very quickly so avoid wearing baggy clothing and keep towels and oven gloves handy but not too close to the cooker or hob. Try not to get distracted by what’s going on around you either.

Don’t drink alcohol whilst cooking

Did you know that more fires start in the kitchen than any other room in the house?

We understand that it’s a celebration, and you want to have a tipple with loved ones, but you should stay sober. At least until you’ve finished cooking, have turned everything off, and sat down to tuck into your delicious Christmas dinner!

Personal and property safety

Don’t reveal too much

What springs to mind when you think of Christmas? Is it spending time with your nearest and dearest? Enjoying delicious food at the Christmas Markets and splurging on lavish gifts? Perhaps you enjoy getting dressed up on Christmas Day?

Although a lot of us can’t wait to share with family and friends on social media what we’re up to, where we are and what Father Christmas brought us, it’s important we stay safe online.

Invest in a safe

At Christmas, our houses are often filled with gifts. We’re all guilty of stashing presents in the loft out of reach of the children and slipping things under the bed or in the wardrobe. But the truth is, even if you think you have the most discrete hiding place in the house, it’s not to say savvy criminals won’t find it!

Therefore, investing in a safe is a great idea and will enable you to protect presents and any other expensive or sentimental items.

At eSafes, we stock an extensive range of safes and are confident that you’ll find something suitable for your valuables, space and budget. We cannot recommend our fireproof safes enough. These will protect your possessions from the threat of a house fire – not just during the holiday season but all year round. For more information about the fireproof safes we supply, or for expert advice on which safe to choose for your home, give us a call on 0800 7832 328 today and we will do everything we can to assist.

  • December 22, 2020