Staying Safe at Christmas

The festive season brings warmth, celebration, and, unfortunately, a heightened risk of fire incidents. With the combination of decorative lighting, open flames, seasonal cooking, and flammable materials, vigilance is paramount to protecting your property, family, and contents.

At Polygon, our expertise lies in property damage control and restoration. Following these practical fire safety steps can prevent the need for our services and ensure you have a safe and peaceful Christmas.

Christmas Trees (Real & Artificial)

• Real Trees: Keep the stand always filled with water. A dry tree is highly combustible.

• Artificial Trees: Use only products confirmed as fire-retardant (check the label).

• Placement: Position the tree well away from all heat sources (radiators, fireplaces) and ensure it does not block any exits.

Christmas Lights

• Inspection: Before mounting, thoroughly check all wires and plugs for damage or fraying. Discard any worn sets.

• Certification: Only use lights marked with the CE or British Standard (BS) certification.

• Electrical Safety: Never overload wall sockets with excessive sets of lights.

• Power Down: Switch off all lights when leaving the house or going to bed. Use a timer for automated control.

Candles & Open Flames

• Best Practice: We recommend using battery-powered candles over open flames.

• Clearance: Place candles far away from wrapping paper, curtains, tree branches, and decorations.

• Supervision: Never leave a burning candle unattended. Keep them out of reach of children and pets.

• Extinguish: Ensure candles are fully extinguished before you go to sleep.

Kitchen Safety

• Do not leave cooking unattended. If you must step away from the stovetop, turn the heat off.

• Clear Zone: Keep tea towels, oven mitts, and paper products clear of the stove, oven, and grill.

Alarms & Escape

• Smoke Alarms: Install working alarms on every level of your home and test them regularly as part of your holiday prep.

• Escape Plan: Ensure every household member knows the emergency escape plan and the designated outside meeting point. Keep all exit routes completely clear of obstructions.