“Light up your neighbourhood with Christmas cheer do not blaze it up with fire,” that’s the message being delivered from the National Fire Service. The fire-fighters have been on the streets circulating prevention guidelines during one of the busiest times of the year. There are tips on Christmas decorations, general safety and what you should do in the event of a fire. We don’t know just how many pamphlets have been given since the campaign started but judging from what we saw on the streets the effort has been successful.
Hilberto Ruiz, Fire Fighter
“We start off with this fire safety program whereby we are giving pamphlets to people just so that they be cautious for the Christmas season while they are baking, while they are hanging up their Christmas tree and those kinds of things. We just want to advise the public to be safe.”
Jacqueline Godwin, 7NEWS
Since the month started have there been any incidents?
Hilberto Ruiz,
"Not really big major incidents but some small minor fires so far."
Jacqueline Godwin,
So what should people aware of as they are putting up their Christmas tree, their lights, and as well getting ready to bake that ham and turkey?
Hilberto Ruiz,
“Well to start with, next week is Christmas and baking for instance, when you are baking make sure you have somebody along with you to help you stay up so you don’t drop asleep and leave the oven lit. When you are hanging up your lights make sure you don’t have any faulty electrical equipments, check your cables and wires for the Christmas lighting. All these things are simple tips to make you avoid disaster and thing.”
The National Fire Service also advises homeowners to always take off their Christmas indoor and outdoor lights before retiring to bed or whenever away from home. According to Fire Chief Henry Baizar too often we become so caught up by the excitement of the season that we neglect to practice the most basic safety procedures.
