The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) has begun a new campaign to create awareness of the increased risks of fire over the festive season and to provide the public with fire safety advice to prevent fires in the home. Statistically, the highest number of fire fatalities occur the winter months, particularly in the month of December.

The campaign reiterates existing fire safety advice to ensure you have at least one working smoke alarm in your home and to have a plan in place with your household for what to do if a fire breaks out. Additionally, over the festive period, with increased socialising and celebrating in the home, more use of candles and a greater number of electronic devices in use, the NDFEM advises people to have a fire safety routine before going to bed. This should include extinguishing all candles and fires, turning off electrical appliances and closing all doors in your house to stop the spread of fire if it does break out.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, said, “this is the time of year when many of us are hosting or socialising more in our homes or hopefully taking some time out to unwind with our families and enjoy the festive season. However, tragically, a higher number of fire fatalities are recorded in December than in any other month of the year and NDFEM is launching this campaign to create awareness of simple fire safety tips we can all take to keep our homes safe while we enjoy the festivities.”

“Measures such as having a working smoke alarm, getting your chimney cleaned and having a plan for your household should a fire break out are always important. Over the Christmas period, with more candles in our homes and more electronic equipment in use, it is extra important to take care around open flames and to examine electronic devices that are not often used for signs of wear and tear, such as frayed wires. I encourage people to familiarise themselves with the fire safety advice carried in this campaign to keep us all safe and well.”