Keep your home and loved ones safe this Christmas

Being safe in our homes is something that we can sometimes take for granted, especially when it comes to the electrical appliances we all have dotted around our houses.

Here at North Devon Homes we work continuously with our customers to help them understand the potential hazards we can face in the home and what we can do to prevent accidents from happening.

Earlier this year we ran a series of events across North Devon where we invited customers to bring along their electrical equipment for free PAT testing. We were able to replace appliances that failed the test with a new energy efficient appliance. 

At Christmas time when many of us decorate our homes for the festive season, this can mean adding more electrical appliances and hazards around the home.

So we’ve put together some Elf and Safety tips (pardon the Christmas pun!) we can all put in place to ensure you and your loved ones enjoy a safe Christmas.

Trees and decorations

If you are choosing a real tree this year, ensure you water this regularly or it can become a fire hazard if it dries out. Ensure the tree and any other decorations you put up around the home are away from heaters and fires.

Christmas is a time of year where many people light candles. Never leave a burning candle unattended and do not light a candle near the Christmas tree or any decorations. 

Christmas lights

Twinkling Christmas lights really brighten up our homes, both inside and out. It is important to check that your lights, or any other electrically powered decorations, are in working order and are checked for exposed or frayed cords. If they have either of these, do not use them. Check all your lights carry the British Safety Standard sign.

If you are choosing to light the outside of your home, check that the lights are suitable for outdoor use.

Never overload electric sockets as this can lead to overheating and potentially a fire and always remember to switch all lights off and unplug them before you go to bed.

LED lights are great option as they meet higher safety standards and are much cheaper to run than standard fairy lights. Make sure you do not place them near flammable materials.

Smoke alarms 

Test your smoke alarms at least once a month and especially in December where they are more hazards in the home. Check the batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and only ever remove the battery when replacing them.

Kitchen fires

Most fires start in the kitchen. Avoid leaving your cooker unattended and cooking under the influence of alcohol. If you are cooking something and need to leave the kitchen, set an alarm so that you don’t get distracted. 

By following these simple tips, we hope everyone can have a happy and safe Christmas. If you are a North Devon Homes customer and would like some more help and advice on keeping your home safe, please contact healthandsafety@ndh-ltd.co.uk.

We are looking forward to more events for our customers in the New Year. Keep an eye out for these upcoming dates.

Merry Christmas to all our customers and best wishes for a magical 2024!