20 January 2009

With Chinese New Year celebrations about to start across the area, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is wishing everyone taking part a happy and safe day.

The Chinese year 4707 – the Year of the Ox – starts on Monday 26 January. Terry Ridgley, head of the community safety team, said: “The festivities are very special to our Chinese communities – it’s a period of good luck and starting afresh.

“But there are fire risks associated with fireworks, candles, lanterns and cooking, so we would like to suggest a few simple precautions.”

Terry offered the following pieces of safety advice:

• Treat fireworks with great caution. Only buy fireworks marked with British Safety Standard 7114 and always read the instructions.
  
  
• Be extremely careful if you are planning to launch flying fire lanterns – miniature hot-air balloons made of paper and with a naked flame wick as a heat source, which are carried away on the wind until the flame dies out. Think before you light!
  
  
• When using candles never leave them unattended. Be sure to place them in a proper holder and keep flames at a safe distance from curtains, furniture and decorations. Long hair and clothing are also very flammable.
  
  
• Make sure that you put out candles and cigarettes properly, especially before going to bed at night.
  
  
• You should never leave cooking unattended. When cooking deep-fried food, dry it before you put it in the hot oil. Never fill the pan more than one third full of oil. If the oil starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave the pan to cool. Never throw water over the pan.
  
  
• Avoid overloading electrical sockets. Try to remember, one plug - one socket. If you must have more plugs connected always use a fused adaptor.
  
  
• You should always fit a working smoke alarm on each floor level of your home. If you are buying a new smoke alarm, consider a 10-year alarm which will require less frequent battery changes. But don't forget that all alarms need to be tested once a week.

Firefighters will carry out a free safety check in your home, and fit free smoke alarms where necessary, if you book by ringing 01296 744477, emailing cs@bucksfire.gov.uk or filling in the online form