Click on the picture above for the "Fire Safety in the Home" leaflet in Chinese and English.

18 January 2012

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

The Chinese year 4710 – the Year of the Dragon – starts on Monday 23 January. Chris Bailey, head of the community safety team, said: “The festivities are very special to our Chinese communities and often take place over a number of days. 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.”

Chris 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. 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.
  
  
• Don't overload electrical sockets and adapters.
  
  
• You should have a working smoke alarm on each floor level of your home and test your alarms 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 or emailing cs@bucksfire.gov.uk