The Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service has urged the Island to stay safe and accident-free over the holidays.

The service is seeking to minimise the risk of fire in the festive season by passing on the following advice:

HOLIDAY DECORATING:

- Choose decorations that are flame resistant or retardant.

- Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.

- Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.

- Use lights that have the label of a recognised testing laboratory.

- Make sure you blow candles out before leaving the room or going to bed.

- Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.

- Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.

- Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

- Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING:

- Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.

- Keep children and pets away from lit candles.

- Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.

- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.

- Ask smokers to smoke outside and remind them to keep their smoking materials with them so young children cannot touch them.

- Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Dampen cigarette butts with water before discarding.

CHRISTMAS TREE SAFETY:

- Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

- Before placing the tree in the stand, cut two inches from the base of the trunk.

- Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.

- Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

- Add water to the tree stand daily.

- Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.

- After Christmas, do not leave your dried-out tree in the home or garage, or outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling programme.

For further details, e-mail fireprotection@gov.bm.