Natural christmas trees are highly combustible, particularly as they dry out and should always be kept away from fires.

Decorations and presents should be kept clear of the fireplace and other heating devices.

Open fires To aid the Christmas atmosphere many of us like to have an open fire. Before having an open fire it is important to have your chimney swept. This will help prevent the build up of soot or ash. Inspect your chimney breast, particularly in the roof space. Make sure that no sparks or fumes can escape through cracks or broken bricks. Never overload the grate and use a fire or spark guard to prevent accidental fires.Never hang christmas stockings next to an open fire. More information on chimneys Click here

Lighted candles used as table decorations or placed in windows and on shelves can start fires through flames catching flammable material.
Lighted candles should be kept clear of such risks and extinguished when unattended. click here Never use lighted candles on Christmas trees.

Christmas decorations are often combustible and should be kept clear of light bulbs and never draped over lampshades. Cotton wool, a traditional Christmas decoration, is easily set alight and can be dangerous if wound around the Christmas tree lights. Decorative lights should be switched off at the mains last thing at night or if you need to change the bulbs.

Wrapping paper is flammable and should be cleared away and bagged for waste collection. Never burn it on the fire as many serious chimney fires start in this way. Used wrapping paper, but not foil, can also be recycled.

Aerosol cans , such as decorative paint, artificial snowflakes, foam and glitter, often contain highly flammable propellent gases. They should be kept away from naked flames and when the canister is empty, dispose of it following the instructions printed on the can.

Extra or temporary portable heating should be checked and in good working order and placed away from furnishings or any other flammable materials. Visitors and guests should be shown how to get out of the property and how locks work in case of fire. Make sure they also know your full address to give to the Fire Brigade telephone operator.

As well as taking these steps, a vital precaution is to buy and fit smoke alarms . They can provide life-saving early warning if a fire does occur, especially at times when domestic routines are changing. A Christmas good deed could be to fit one for friends and relatives. If you already have smoke alarms fitted, it is vital they are checked regularly and the batteries changed once a year. Never remove working batteries from alarms to use in toys as too often they do not get replaced.

Don't drink and cook! C ooking remains the brigade's main cause of house fires. Alcohol can seriously affect judgement especially if faced with an emergency such as a kitchen fire. If you are cooking with oil and fat do not leave the saucepans unattended and never overfill pans. If leaving a turkey to cook overnight, ensure that you are familiar with the timer controls on your cooker and that the temperature is set correctly.

If you are setting light to the Christmas pudding, do not pour the alcohol straight from the bottle. Put a small amount of alcohol in a non-combustible container, such as an eggcup, and pour onto the pudding from there. Beware of adding more alcohol - if you add alcohol to a flame, you could get a 'flashback'. If you spill a drop and the tablecloth catches fire, it can be put out with water. However, this is only recommended for a very small fire.