WITH only a few days left until Christmas Day, the fire service is urging residents to keep safety at the forefront of their minds.

Allen Cunningham, Community Safety Manager at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, said: “People are decorating their home and planning their festivities. It is a busy time of year and this means fire safety is often pushed out of our minds. Many people will be cooking on a larger scale than usual and using candles more frequently.

“If distracted, the increase of fire related incidents can increase. We are asking people to take some simple steps to make sure that this Christmas is remembered for all the right reasons. Carrying out a bedtime check can drastically reduce the risk of fire in the home, keeping you and your family safe.”

There are a few simple things you can do each night before going to bed to reducing the risk of fire. Follow these simple tips to ensure that you and your family have a safe and happy Christmas:

• Always check your cooker is turned off – don’t leave your cooking unattended

• Turn off and unplug electrical appliances – Including your Christmas tree and other decorative lights

• Turn heaters off and put up fire guards when you leave the house or go to bed

• Put cigarettes and candles out properly – never leave candles unattended

• Close internal doors – this will stop a fire from spreading should one break out