Hereford and Worcester's fire service highlight important safety advice for over Christmas
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) are asking people to make sure they're staying safe over the festive period
People across Herefordshire and Worcestershire are being told to make sure they're prioritising their fire safety this Christmas.
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) is highlighting some key advice to follow to stay safe over the festive period.
It's calling for households to check all their fire alarms are working properly in their properties as one important step.
Station commander in prevention John Elsworth said: "I think the most key message is that Christmas is to be enjoyed and if we follow just a few extra precautions we can enjoy Christmas with our friends and family because there are things we do differently at Christmas and there are things we do more of at Christmas.
"Just ensure the tree doesn't block any escape routes, check the lights are in good condition, don't overload your sockets and before you go to bed just make sure you turn them off.
"We tend to use more candles, we tend to cook more, so keep the candles away from anything flammable and never leave cooking unattended as always."
The service is also urging people to carefully consider safety when buying electric scooters or electric bikes as presents.
It says many of the fires containing these products are linked to poor quality batteries and chargers bought cheaply online and often dangerously modified, creating a serious fire risk in the home.