Press release
NDFEM issues fire safety advice to protect your home from fire over the festive season
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) has begun a new campaign to create awareness of the increased risks of fire over the festive period and to advise the public of fire safety practices to prevent fires in the home. Statistically, the highest number of fire fatalities occur the winter months, particularly in the month of December.
The campaign reiterates existing fire safety advice to ensure you have at least one working smoke alarm in your home and to have a plan in place with your household for what to do if a fire breaks out. Additionally, over the festive period, with increased socialising and celebrating in the home, more use of candles and a greater number of electronic devices in use, the NDFEM advises people to have a fire safety routine before going to bed. This should include extinguishing all candles and fires, turning off electrical appliances and closing all doors in your house to stop the spread of fire if it does break out.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, said:
“This is the time of year when many of us are hosting or socialising more in our homes or hopefully taking some time out to unwind with our families and enjoy the festive season. However, tragically, a higher number of fire fatalities are recorded in December than in any other month of the year and NDFEM is launching this campaign to create awareness of simple fire safety tips we can all take to keep our homes safe while we enjoy the festivities.
"Measures such as having a working smoke alarm, getting your chimney cleaned and having a plan for your household should a fire break out are always important. Over the Christmas period, with more candles in our homes and more electronic equipment in use, it is extra important to take care around open flames and to examine electronic devices that are not often used for signs of wear and tear, such as frayed wires. I encourage people to familiarise themselves with the fire safety advice carried in this campaign to keep us all safe and well.”
Additional advice.
Chimney fires remain the top cause of fire in Ireland. In 2021 alone over two thousand chimney fires were attended by fire services. While an open fire can give a festive feel, remember to get your chimney cleaned, keep a spark guard on and be vigilant to anything that may fall from the fireplace.
During the festive period more equipment will be plugged in and electrical fire continues to be a big danger. Never overload sockets and always ensure all electrical equipment is in good working order especially if not used since last year.
The biggest cause of fire fatality so far this year in Ireland has been smoking, due to leaving lit cigarettes unattended. The NDFEM advises not to smoke in bed and to ensure that cigarettes or cigars are always fully extinguished.
The top advice from NDFEM is to have a smoke alarm fitted at least on every level of your home, ensure you can hear them from your bedrooms, test them weekly and never borrow batteries from your smoke alarms. In under three minutes you could die from smoke inhalation and the sound of a smoke alarm could save your life.
Call 999 or 112 in case of fire.
The Christmas fire safety campaign will run in December. Full fire safety advice can be found on the Fire Safety website.
The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management was set up in 2009. They are a section in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage who co-ordinate emergency responses and give support to the Irish Fire Service.