Be Safe and Enjoy Winter

Winter is a time for celebration, laughter and fun. However it is important to remember that accidents can still happen and to keep safe.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS), Trading Standards and Resilience have launched their ‘Be Safe and Enjoy Winter’ campaign and are urging people to take care this winter. As part of the campaign, they have produced their ‘Be Safe and Enjoy Winter’ booklet; a comprehensive guide on how to stay safe while having a good time.

HFRS, Trading Standards and Resilience staff and volunteers will be out and about at different community events, handing out booklets and engaging with the public, offering advice and raising awareness of key issues. Hertfordshire’s mobile library staff will also be speaking to people about the campaign and giving out booklets to those they visit. 

Residents are being reminded to:

o Place candles and tea lights on heatproof surfaces, away from flammable materials and to extinguish them immediately after use

o Install a smoke alarm on every level of their home and to test their batteries regularly

o Avoid purchasing counterfeit goods; fake items are often poor quality, potentially unsafe and are being sold illegally

o Check the fairy lights on their Christmas tree are CE marked and not to use lights designed for internal use outside

o Avoid cooking after drinking alcohol

o Pay for purchases over £100 by credit card; this may offer extra protection if something goes wrong

o Say no to door step sellers. Not all cold callers are genuine and some may use pressure selling tactics

o Spare a thought for elderly relatives and neighbours as the weather turns colder; are they as safe as they could be?

For more advice on how to keep safe this winter and to download a copy of the ‘Be Safe and Enjoy Winter’ booklet, please visit www.hertsdirect.org/wintersafety