Safety this season

BY BUZZ

Around Christmas and New Year people are busy preparing for events and shopping for presents. It’s easy to overlook the things that could ruin your Christmas. Make sure you’re doing all you can do to prevent them from happening to you.

Don’t get caught out in the cold

As we head into winter many of us will have switched to our winter wardrobes but a woolly jumper and coat can only get you so far if you get stuck outside in the cold. Getting a winter service on your car can at least see to the main issues that may arise. Kit your car out with de-icer, a shovel, a pair of wellies and winter wear as a good precaution. If your car does breakdown make sure you have a charged phone with the number of your breakdown cover.

When you get in from the cold you would hope that your home was a hub of heat but with the extra strain on your boiler it also makes for the most common time of year when your heating stops working. It’s a good idea to get your boiler checked before it gets colder and keep the number of a local boiler engineer by the phone.

Don’t let Christmas go up in flames

Not everyone likes Christmas lights but the last thing we’d want is to see them on fire. Don’t overload plug sockets and check for hot plugs, flickering lights, fuses that blow frequently and damaged wiring. Turn off all electric when you’re out and before you go to bed.

Electric blankets and heaters provide us with additional warmth but it’s important to check these regularly for any damage and scorch marks. Always buy electric blankets new and let them cool down before you store them away. Place heaters away from fabric and at least three feet away from yourself.

Under lock and key

With all your Christmas presents on display it’s an inviting signal for burglars. You can buy timers that will switch your lights and radio on and off at pre-determined times, giving the impression that someone is in the house.

If you own more than one car park it in the driveway or ask a neighbour or friend to park theirs in the driveway every so often. Turn the ringer volume down on your home phone so no one can hear that it isn’t being answered.

Lastly, check that you’ve locked up properly and that all windows are closed. Make sure your Christmas is a happy one.

These seem unthinkable but in the last few years A&E departments in the UK have seen cases like these: