Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is ensuring residents stay safe from fire hazards over Christmas with its top tips.

The season is a busy period for the service, with a sharp rise of incidents at home.

Everything from fairy lights to tinsel and candles can become fire hazards when care is not taken.

In December, 20 people a day are killed or injured in accidental fires at home, and last year, there were around 2,700 accidental fires in the home in England.

In Lincolnshire, 45% of incidents during the same period were caused by cooking appliances, and candles making up 20%.

Karl Turrill, deputy community fire and safety manager at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Christmas is an exciting time for many, but with all the excitement and distractions, it’s quite easy to forget that accidents can happen.

“The festivities often bring more fire risks into the home including candles, tree lights and cooking. The added influence of alcohol means that it is even more important to stay alert.”

Top tips include:

  • Make sure you and your family have working smoke alarms. Test them regularly.
  • Make sure that everyone in your home knows what to do in a fire – in the event of fire you should get out, stay out and call 999.
  • A burning Christmas tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases, so check your Christmas tree lights carry the British Safety Standard marque. If in doubt replace your lights and always replace faulty bulbs. When going to bed or going out for the evening, make sure you turn off and unplug your Christmas tree lights and outdoor festive lights.
  • Make sure your electrical sockets aren’t overloaded with too many high voltage plugs – use a surge protected extension cable if necessary.
  • Many of us enjoy a drink over the festive season but be sure to avoid cooking whilst under the influence of alcohol. Always turn off kitchen appliances when you have finished cooking.
  • They look pretty, they smell good, but remember that candles have an open flame which can be dangerous. Don’t leave candles unattended and keep them in candle holders, on a heat resistant surface. Keep them away from flammable materials like curtains, and away from pets and children. Make sure you put them out!

For more tips and information, visit the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue website.

Staff at businesses and organisations across the city have been donning their best and cheesiest Christmas jumpers in aid of charity.

Christmas Jumper Day on December 12 is aiming to raise awareness for Save the Children, a worldwide charity that promotes children’s rights as well as supporting children in developing countries.

It aims to “make the world better with a sweater” with all donations being spent on improving lives of children in the UK and overseas.

According to the charity, in the UK 3.5 million children live in poverty as families can’t afford nutritious food, heating, household essentials or good quality childcare.

At the time of writing the campaign, now in its third year, has so far raised £230,790 in the UK.

You can donate to the cause online, or by texting WOOLLY to 70050 and donating a minimum of £2.

Lincoln clothing shop Eqvvs is offering 15% off full priced jumpers online, with promo code JUMPER15, for Christmas Jumper Day.

Meanwhile, Your Print Partner (YPP) in Lincoln took part by printing off a giant Christmas jumper.

YPP Managing Director Stuart Maclaren said: “We’re hoping that our giant jumper will help raise awareness of Christmas Jumper Day, which is raising money to go towards helping the most vulnerable children in the world.

“All the team here are looking very festive today, and hopefully our donations, along with those from the thousands of schools and organisations up and down the country also taking part, can really help make a difference.”

Eqvvs in Lincoln.

Eqvvs in Lincoln.

Staff from NHS in Lincoln.

Staff from NHS in Lincoln.

Staff at the University of Lincoln.

Staff at the University of Lincoln.

Londis at The Pavilions in Lincoln.

Londis at The Pavilions in Lincoln.

H E Lettings, Hodgson Elkington and Thompson & Richardson.

H E Lettings, Hodgson Elkington and Thompson & Richardson.

LAGAT and Quest Recruitment.

LAGAT and Quest Recruitment.

Even RAF Coningsby are getting in the festive spirit.

Even RAF Coningsby are getting in the festive spirit.

Lincoln College's library staff.

Lincoln College’s library staff.

Members of the Graduate School at the university of Lincoln took part, even while travelling to London!

Members of the Graduate School at the university of Lincoln took part, even while travelling to London!

iPoP Photography in Lincoln.

iPoP Photography in Lincoln.

Place: Architecture in Lincoln.

Place: Architecture in Lincoln.

Social Change UK donned jumpers and held a bake sale, making just over £80.

Social Change UK donned jumpers and held a bake sale, making just over £80.

A number of primary school are also taking part.

A number of primary schools are also taking part.

Ideafuel decided to create their own Christmas jumpers.

Ideafuel decided to create their own Christmas jumpers.

Smith-Construction in Heckington.

Smith-Construction in Heckington.

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