preventing emergencies tAkecArewithcAndles


Everyyearhundredsof housefires arecausedby candles. As salesofcandles increase,itisimportant to treatthemwithrespectand followthesesimples rules:


nAlways put candlesonaheatresistant surfaceandput theminaproperholder.


nPositionthemawayfromcurtains,don’t put themundershelvesandkeepclothes andhair clearoftheflame.


Electric blanketscause up to 5000 fireseach year


WINTER


AsFREEZINGwEAthER spreadsacrossthe country, lots of us aregetting ourelectric blankets outofthe cupboard.Unfortunately theseperennial favourites accountfor more than 5000 fires ayear, so take afew sensible precautions before turningyours on. Checkfor damagedfabric, scorchmarks


andexposed elements.Ifthe flexiswornor thereare anyloose connections, don’tuse your blanket. If it has theold BEABsafetymarkitis morethan10years oldand should be replaced – thelifeofanelectricblanket is around 10 years so play it safe andtreat yourself toanewone. Don’tfoldelectricblankets–itcan damage


thewiring. Roll themup or keep themon a spare bed butmakesuretheyare unplugged at


thesocket. nAlways follow theinstructions.


nKeepchildrenandpetsawayfrom candles


nDon’tmovecandleswhenthey’re burning


nUseasnuffer oraspoonto put candles out-blowingthemoutcancausesparks andsendhotwaxflying. Alwaysdouble- check they’re fullyextinguished.


Itmaybecoldoutside butdon’t take riskswhile trying to keep warm andcosyindoors.Hereis some helpfuladvice from thefireservice


warmers nNeveruse an electric underblanket as an


overblanket,and vice versa. nTieelectricunderblanketstothe bed or mattresstostop themslipping or creasing nDon’tleave your blanketswitchedonall nightunlessitisdesignedfor safe all-night use. Switch it off andunplugitbeforeyou get


into bed. nIf your blanketgetswet,don’t useit-and don’tswitchitontodry it. Getyourelectricblanket checkedevery threeyears.Ask theshopwhere youbought it abouttestingand servicing, or contactthe tradingstandards department at your local council–theyoften have free testingdays.●


Moreexcellent safety advice is also availableat www.fireservice.co.uk/safety


AndfinAlly...


Canwesafelyclearingsnowand icefrompavements without beingsued? Theanswerisyes –aslongasyou arecareful and followthegovernment’ssnowcode


nClearthesnowandice earlyintheday


nUsesalt orsand-notwater Clearsnow earlyand carefully Flat Living Issue13, Winter


nPayextra attentionto clearingsnowandice from stepsandsteeppathways- youmightneedtousemore saltontheseareas


nTake carewhereyou move thesnow–don’t block anyone’spathsordrains.


nOffer to clearyour neighbours’paths


Your localcouncil is likely to providecoldweatherservices such as clearinglocalroads andpavements in your area. For informationabout your council’swinterservice, check itswebsite.


Don’tleave candles burningin anempty room


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