Our founder and director, Wayne Francis, isn’t just any fire prevention and fire protection expert. Wayne is a retired firefighter of many years’ experience. He’s seen immeasurable, often preventable, damage and devastation caused by fire.
All across Cheshire, and beyond, Christmas is a time filled with warmth, celebration, and gatherings. But for those of us in the fire-safety world – especially those with decades of frontline firefighting experience – December and early January signal something else entirely: a sharp rise in preventable fires.
Every year, callouts across the region increase significantly over the festive period. As the owner of a fire-safety business, and a former firefighter, Wayne’s seen firsthand how quickly a cosy Christmas scene can turn into an emergency. Let’s highlight the most common seasonal fire risks and how you can keep your premises and people safe this winter.
Electrical Overload
Christmas lights, heaters, and decorations set the festive mood. Twinkling lights add instant Christmas spirit, don’t they? Beware, though, and especially if you leave them on while you’re out – overloaded sockets and poor-quality decorations are amongst the biggest causes of Christmas fires. Those cheap decorations and bargain lights may flout the required safety regulations.
The risk tends to be higher in winter, due to things like:
- Additional plug-in decorations
- Portable electric heaters in constant use
- The temptation to “just add one more” extension lead.
- Older fairy lights that have degraded over time
There are simple and commonsense ways to reduce the risk:
- Use only one extension lead per socket and never, ever “daisy-chain” them.
- Check cables for fraying, cracking, or heat damage.
- Switch lights off before leaving the building.
- Replace old Christmas lights with modern LED alternatives.
This is good advice to follow at home, too.
Increased Use of Fossil Fuels
In hotels, pubs, and guest houses chimneys, stoves and open fires can really set the scene. Chilly weather means fireplaces and stoves are roaring more often. While nothing beats the glow of a real fire, they come with hidden dangers.
Common winter fire hazards include:
- Logs or coal falling from an open fire onto carpets or rugs.
- Sparks escaping from unguarded fireplaces.
- Chimneys clogged with soot or debris.
- Over-fuelling stoves
Again, these are common risks in the home, too. Sensible safety tips will, as ever mitigate risk:
- ALWAYS use a fire guard—especially if children and pets are around.
- Have chimneys swept at least once a year (twice if burning wood regularly).
- Keep rugs and soft furnishings well away from open hearths.
- Never leave a fire burning unattended.
Having the correct fire extinguishers in place, serviced and maintained and according to regulations is crucial. However, reducing the risk in the first place is preferable to ever needing to use them. Think of fire extinguishers like an insurance policy. You must have them in place – but taking great care may avoid ever needing to deploy them.
Alcohol, Substances & Impaired Judgment
There’s another Christmas spirit often in evidence. The festive season often comes with increased alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, alcohol is a major contributing factor in domestic fires – over Christmas this could sneak into the workplace, too.
Why? People under the influence are far more likely to:
- Fall asleep with candles or cigarettes lit.
- Leave heaters or ovens on
- Drop embers or ash onto flammable surfaces.
- Misjudge cooking times or forget appliances entirely.
These can play a significant role in the spike of Christmas and New Year fire-related incidents.
Our advice:
- Never cook after drinking heavily.
- Extinguish candles and cigarettes.
- Keep an eye on clients, guests, friends, or family who may be impaired.
- Ensure smoke alarms are fully functional – early warning makes all the difference.
And we’ll say it again: Be sure to have the appropriate fire extinguishers, sited correctly, and KNOW HOW TO USE THEM. We can help so get in touch.
Stay Protected from Fire this Christmas and Always
A happy Christmas has to be a safe Christmas. Peace of mind is priceless – at home and at work. As an ex-firefighter, Wayne knows the value of prevention. Make sure your business premises – and your home – are equipped with:
- Working smoke alarms on every floor
- A carbon monoxide detector near fossil-fuel appliances
- Fire extinguishers specifically designed for the environment.
- A fire blanket in kitchens
- A properly maintained chimney and safe electrical setup.
For professional – yet always friendly – advice or an assessment of your business, we’re here to help across Cheshire.
For extinguisher supply and servicing we’re here to keep you, your premises, and your people safe. We’ll also ensure your business is compliant.
That’s not just at Christmas, but all year round.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at Francis Fire.
