Season Safety

FROM: AVON FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

This Winter we want to help you save money safely when cu�ng costs in response to the rising cost of living. If you're thinking of doing things differently at home to bring down the price of energy bills, it's important to remember to do so safely. This can include thinking about the hazards that come with changing your usual rou�ne. Please go to our website to find a list of all the things to consider, from electric heaters, electric blankets to ligh�ng candles and fires safely, you’ll find a range of helpful things to remember.

Go to www.avonfire.gov.uk

As you look for ways to save money remember to heat the body, not the home. Try se�ng yourself a challenge to delay when you start regularly using your central hea�ng. Layer up your clothing/blankets instead to help save money? Cu�ng your central hea�ng temperature by just 1°C will make a big difference to the amount of energy you use without seriously impac�ng the temperature of your home. Also, try to heat individual rooms and not the whole house. If you’re able to switch individual radiators off in your home, save money by turning off those in spaces that aren’t o�en used, only keeping radiators switched on in the rooms you use most.

If you’re planning to use your fireplace or have a log burner it’s important to make sure your chimneys, fire places and log burning stoves are swept and cleaned before use, also that you have a carbon monoxide detector in place that you have bought from a reputable outlet, such as a DIY store. Use a spark guard, even if you think the fire has died out. Sparks can s�ll unexpectedly shoot out of even a damped-down fire and set fire to your home. Avoid drying clothes in front of an open fire – this is a big fire risk! Ensure wood, coal and other fuels are stored at a safe distance from the fire. Make sure that there is no clu�er on or around the fireplace.

Candles should be fi�ed in a candle holder and placed on a nonflammable surface. Don’t leave them una�ended when burning, especially with young children or pets around. Make sure they aren't burning close to curtains, bedding, clothing or plants which might catch fire. Be sure not to place burning candles on window sills or on the floor. Ex�nguish all candles before going to bed. Burning candles shouldn't be placed anywhere where they might be knocked over or caught in a draught. It is best not to move candles when they are alight or while the wax is molten - if you do accidentally burn yourself, follow our cool, call, cover advice.

Whether you're changing things up or not, the most important thing to do in any home is to fit a working smoke alarm on every floor of your property so you're alerted quickly if there were a fire. If you are not online and would like to contact us for further info, please

telephone: 0117 926 2061

#SaveSafely

Are you thinking about different ways to save money on household energy bills and living costs?

Visit our website for ways to save safely when cutting costs, and reduce your fire risk.

www.avonfire.gov.uk

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Save Safely Advert_The Mead.indd 1 12/10/2022 16:11:02