North Wales Fire and Rescue Service staff members from the Conwy and Denbighshire fire safety office have been assisting to deliver Christmas presents today. This year the fire and rescue service are working in partnership with ‘Home Instead Senior Care’, taking part in their ‘Be a Santa to a senior’ initiative in Conwy and Denbighshire.

Whilst delivering a present to an elderly person on behalf of ‘Home Instead Senior Care’, fire and rescue service staff members are able to check that the recipient’s home is safe from fire, as well as spending some time with people over the Christmas period.

Statistics show that fires increase in numbers substantially during the Christmas period, with nearly double the number of incidents occurring in December compared to any other month in the year

Stuart Millington, Senior Fire Safety Manager for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The fire and rescue service is pleased to be involved in this initiative as we are acutely aware of the increased risks over the Christmas period, but we are also aware that many people are alone and are potentially socially isolated over the Christmas period. This initiative allows us to provide a little company for these people and at the same time we are able to carry out a home safety check and if necessary provide smoke alarms, thus making people safer whilst spreading a little bit of Christmas cheer.

“I would also ask everyone to consider elderly or vulnerable family and neighbours during this time. The early warning provided by a smoke alarm can allow vital minutes to help them escape unharmed.”

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to stay safe and protect their homes from fire by following twelve tips for festive fire safety:

1. Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard. Always use an RCD on outdoor electrical equipment (safety device that can save lives by instantly switching off the power).

2. Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings. Don't leave them burning unattended.

3. Make sure your family and visitors staying for the festive period know what to do in an emergency. Practice an fire escape plan.

4. Decorations can burn easily - Don't attach them to lights or heaters.

5. Switch off electrical appliances when not in use, unless they're designed to stay on.

6. Take special care with Christmas lights. Always switch off and unplug them before you go to bed. Christmas is a time when we use more electrical items - don't overload sockets and plugs but use correctly fused multi gang safety leads. Please see the amp calculator on www.nwales-fireserfireservice / keeping you safe / looking after the electrics or follow this link /looking-after-the-electrics.aspx?lang=en

7. Most fires start in the kitchen - never leave cooking unattended. Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed.

8. If you are planning to celebrate with fireworks, store them in a metal box, read the instructions, never go back to a lit firework and keep a bucket of water nearby.

9. Make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished.

10. Check the battery in your smoke alarm every week and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust.

11. Keep candles, lighters and matches out of reach of children.

12. Take the time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours this Christmas - make sure they are fire safe as well as checking on their well-being.

Visit our Facebook page to take part in our 12 days of Christmas safety competition and be in with a chance of winning a chocolate hamper. www.facebook.com/northwalesfire