Here are our top tips to protect your family and home from fire this Christmas:
1. Fit a smoke alarm on each level of your home. Test your smoke alarm weekly and never remove batteries to power presents.
2. Plan your escape route. Make sure you and your family know the quickest way out in the event of a fire. Consider an alternative route in case your usual one is blocked.
3. Never leave cooking unattended and avoid cooking while drunk.
4. Never leave candles unattended. Keep decorations, cards and wrapping paper away from candles, fires, lights and heaters.
5. Ensure you switch off fairy lights and unplug them before you go to bed or leave the house. Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard (BS EN 60598).
6. Don't overload sockets. Always turn off plugs when they are not in use.
7. Make sure cigarettes are extinguished properly and never smoke in bed.
8. Check on older relatives and neighbours this Christmas as they are at greater risk from fire.
9. Ask the experts: Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service offers free home safety advice. They also offer free home safety checks to those most at risk from fire. This includes identifying potential fire risks and advice on what to do to reduce or prevent them, and will fit free smoke alarms.
10. And finally, in the event of a fire: get out, stay out and call 999.
For more information on how to stay safe from fire see our Fire Safety in the Home section or visit the Fire Kills website.
