Safety Tips For Chinese New Year

AS Chinese communities across the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales prepare to celebrate their New Year – the year of the Tiger – on 14 February, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service are keen to ensure they stay safe from fire.

Buxton based community safety officer, Dave McMylor, said: “We know that these New Year festivities are very special to our Chinese communities who believe that the year of the Tiger will bring with it a period of good luck and a means of starting afresh but the fire and rescue service realises that, as with all such festivals, the risk of fire can increase when people take part in major celebrations.

“We would urge those celebrating this Chinese New Year to take some common sense precautions and we wish them happiness and prosperity in the year to come, but please do take note of the following tips.”

• Fit working smoke alarms on each floor of your home – do consider buying the ten year alarm – otherwise test your alarm on a weekly basis and change your batteries every year.
• Treat fireworks with great caution. Only buy those marked with British Safety Standard 7114 and always read the instructions.
• At all times, keep candle flames at a safe distance from curtains, furniture and decorations; and make sure to keep your hair and clothing out of harm’s way too
• Children should be supervised at all times when you are using fireworks or candles – keep flames out of their reach and make sure that animals are kept safe too.
• When cooking deep-fried food, dry it before putting it into hot oil. If the oil starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave the pan to cool down. Never fill a pan more than one third full of oil and never throw water over a pan. If in doubt get out and call the fire brigade out!
• Turn off and un-plug all electrical appliances unless they are designed to be left on (your freezer for example).
• Avoid overloading sockets. Try to keep it to one plug, one socket. If you must have more, always use a fused adaptor.

For further information or advice or for a free home fire safety check, please contact your local fire station to arrange an appointment or contact Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Headquarters on 01332 771 221.

Note To News Editors

Dave McMylor is happy to speak to the media. Please contact him on 01298 22274 ext 3115.

If you would like a copy of this press release please use the link below to view and download a copy.

Link: Press Release - Safety Tips For Chinese New Year

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