A new campaign has been launched to warn of the increased risks of house fires this Christmas.

More house fires happen at Christmas than any other time of the year, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have warned.

In response, a cautionary video on the importance of remaining vigilant to house fires during festivities has been released.

The video, which aims to raise awareness on how quickly house fires can begin, features a specially recorded song by the Vivacity Choir – a community choir based in Hillsborough.

Alongside the video, Chris Tyler, manager of the Community Safety Team, said: “We want Christmas to be the most wonderful time of the year for everybody in South Yorkshire. That’s why we’re urging people to check their homes ahead of the holidays.

“At a time when we enjoy spending time with friends and family, you don’t want fire to be an uninvited guest.”

Here’s a guide on how you can stay safe from house fires this Christmas:

1. Smoke alarms

It’s crucial that you’re alerted of fires in your home before it’s too late, so ensuring that you have a smoke alarm fitted is vital. They’re most effective when fitted on the ceiling rather than the walls, and make sure to regularly test your smoke alarm to check it’s working.

2. Christmas trees

As a leading cause of house fires, it’s important to ensure that Christmas trees are kept away from heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces and even candles. It’s also advisable to keep them a safe distance away from exits too, so that everybody can evacuate quickly in the event of an emergency.

If Christmas trees are real, it is best to keep them well watered, and if they are artificial, it is advisable to check that they’re made from fire retardant materials and comply with fire safety standards.

3. Festive lights

Since festive lights can be fire hazards if not used safely, it’s important to ensure that all lights used contain the British Standard mark, or CE marking, to ensure that they meet safety standards.

Make sure to check all the wiring, plugs and bulbs for signs of damage or wear and discard any faulty lights before putting them up. Once installed, be careful to not overload sockets by connecting too many sets. It’s important to turn lights off when not in use or use a timer to automatically switch them off at night.

4. Candles

It is recommended to use battery powered candles where possible, but when using real candles, it is important to keep them away from flammable materials such as decorations, wrapping paper, or curtains.

Make sure that candles are placed in stable holders or lanterns to catch drips and prevent them from falling over.

Ensure that you never leave burning candles unattended and that you keep them out of the reach of both children and pets. Check that they are fully extinguished before leaving them unsupervised or going to bed.

5. Cooking

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue warn that most house fires start in the kitchen, and want to make sure that you are ‘keeping an eye on your turkey at all times’. They advise you to stay in the kitchen whilst cooking to make sure appliances don’t set alight, and warn against leaving stoves or ovens turned on and unattended.

Amidst all the upcoming festivities, it is important to remain alert of dangers, so for more fire safety information, visit South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s website here.