subject: 12 Top Tips for a safe and Happy Christmas [print this page] 12 Top Tips for a safe and Happy Christmas
Allcooper, the Gloucester-based fire and security specialists (www.allcooper.com)have come up with a list of 12 top tips for a safe and happy Christmas - one tip for each of the 12 days of Christmas.
Roman Cooper, Chief Executive, explained why they decided to come up with the list: "Christmas is the highlight of many people's year and should be a time of enjoying yourself and spending time with family and friends. The last thing that people want is for this special time of year to be marred by a burglary, theft, fire or an accident. As experts in fire and security solutions we thought now would be a good time to remind the general public of some simple steps they can take, to help keep them, their homes and their family safe and happy."
The 12 Top Tips are:
1. Don't leave Christmas presents on view in the home or car whether wrapped or unwrapped. When you are out shopping, lock them in the boot.
2. Don't put out boxes from larger items with the rubbish, where they can be viewed.
3. After Christmas, shred any receipts and don't put them in the normal rubbish.
4. If you are splashing out, check your home insurance policy to make sure that you are not exceeding a single item limit.
5. If you don't already have one consider having an intruder alarm fitted. Burglars will typically go for the easy option.
6. Use timer plugs with lamps in your home, giving the perception that somebody may be in, when in fact they are not.
7. If you are going away for a few days, make sure that you cancel milk and papers.
8. If you are buying expensive presents, like electrical goods, mark them with a postcode at the earliest opportunity.
9. Think, is you home "fire safe". Does it have smoke detectors (are they working)? Do you have powder and CO2 fire extinguishers, a fire blanket, emergency lighting and a fire escape ladder.
10. Switch off Christmas lights when you are out of the room or house.
11. Don't run cables under carpets or where they can get damaged.
12. Only use lights outdoors that are specifically designed for that purpose.
"To us in the industry, these tips and steps are second nature. But we hope that they will act as a useful checklist for people and hopefully at least one or two may be points that have not occurred to the people reading them," added Roman.
