Village Voice December 2012/January 2013 | Page 20

Christmas & New Year. Fairy Lights And Candles: - Fairy lights make your home look festive and bright, but it is important to remember to use them safely. - Never use indoor lights outside even if you think they are safe from the weather. - Fairy lights and Christmas tree lights don’t get used very often, so you should always ensure they’re in good working order before using them: - Check that the fuse in the plug is the right size. - Replace any blown bulbs. - Check the wiring for any damage. - Don’t let the bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, such as paper or fabrics (be especially careful with other Christmas tree decorations). - Always unplug fairy lights when you leave the house or go to bed. - Candles can be dangerous, if you use them, always put them out when you leave the room and keep them away from decorations, greeting cards and curtains etc. - Candles and nightlights are often used in celebrations for Christmas, they should never be put in or near a Christmas tree, plants, flowers or other foliage. You should also be careful that ribbons and other decorations aren’t near any naked flames. - Never overload plug sockets. Don’t Drink & Drive; Have a soft drink and stay alive! - You can't calculate your alcohol limit. - It takes less than you might think to become a drink driver. - Nearly one in six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit. At Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service we hope that you do not have to invite us round during your festivities and wish you a safe, enjoyable, fire and incident free festive period. Useful contact points and further information: Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service homepage: www.hantsfire.gov.uk Community Fire Safety Department: 02380 626809 Email: [email protected] 18