Be careful with those Christmas decs

As the fireplace is the focal point of your room, it makes sense that at Christmas, it is the focal point of your Christmas decorations too. Apart from your Christmas tree, it’s all eyes to the fire when it comes to dressing a festive home.

And while putting the decorations up is always great fun, it’s easy to forget about being safety conscious.

Who doesn’t love those homemade decorations that children make at home or school? It’s lovely to cherish them, keep them carefully wrapped up and take them out of the attic every year.  As sentimental as they may be, chances are they will be made from flammable material.  Paper chains, a cardboard fairy or star, tissue paper on an advent calendar – put them on display by all means but don’t put them above or around your fireplace.

The same goes for Christmas cards – it’s lovely to put them on show, but put them on show anywhere other than near the fire or fireplace.

On the big night, many people like to hang up stockings – in which case make sure any fire is off and the fire and surround has gone cold.  Or better still, hang your stockings at the end of a bed or on a bedroom door.

You can’t beat the glow of a candle at Christmas and they look particularly lovely on a fireplace.  Today you can buy some incredible battery operated candles which look just as good and are just as effective as the real thing.  They are a much safer option, not just at Christmas but all year around.

Fairy lights are also a Christmas favourite and many of us keep the same lights we have had for years - but if you have any where the bulbs have blown you should either replace the bulb or discard them completely.   It’s important that you check the fuses are the right type and you shouldn’t overload electrical sockets.

If you have fairy lights on or around your fire, make sure they are not touching anything flammable like paper, and only have them on when you are in the room.  Don’t let them get too hot and always unplug them when going to bed or going out.

On Christmas Eve, make sure that your fire is out before going to bed so that it is not too hot for Father Christmas. Finally, don’t forget to leave a mince pie for the boss and some carrots for the reindeers. 

Enjoy!