New awareness campaign warns Irish public of fire risks over festive period

The Department of Housing has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the increased risks of fire over the festive period. 

The Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) is pushing the campaign to advise the public of fire safety practices to prevent fires in the home. 

According to NDFEM, the highest number of fire fatalities occur during the winter months, particularly in December. 

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." 

The campaign reiterates existing fire safety advice to ensure people have at least one working smoke alarm in the home and to have a plan in place 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 continued: "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." 

Chimney fires remain the top cause of fire in Ireland, with over 2,000 chimney fires attended by fire services in 2021 alone. 

While an open fire can give a festive feel, people should remember to get chimneys 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. People are advised to 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 the home, ensure they can be heard from bedrooms, test them weekly and never borrow batteries from smoke alarms. 

Death from smoke inhalation can occur in under three minutes and the sound of a smoke alarm could be life-saving.