Ten thousand Christmas ‘goodie bags’ containing a smoke alarm, the 2009 Firefighter calendar, and a ‘Celebrate Safely’ booklet will be handed out across South Wales in the run up to Christmas.

In 2007-8 there were 826 accidental dwelling fires in South Wales.  96 of these took place in December and nearly half (41) of those were caused by cooking. There were 209 accidental dwelling fires in Cardiff, the setting chosen for the launch of the Calendar which highlights twelve safety messages.

The 2009 calendar will be unveiled at a festive reception at the Ice Café in Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland on Monday afternoon.  Firefighters from the Training Centre (Cardiff Gate),Community Safety department (Malpas), Intervention and Retained Management (Pontyclun, HQ) and Bargoed, Malpas, Bridgend, Cardiff Central, Usk, Duffryn, Penarth and Ely  Fire Stations feature in the all new Calendar.

The calendar also stars children from Bute Cottage Nursery, Victoria Primary and Evenlode Primary schools in Penarth and Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School in Church Village.  June Webb from Newport Deaf Club also features in January’s photograph receiving a specially designed smoke alarms for hearing impaired.

Every Fire Station in South Wales will be distributing special festive goodie bags while collecting the names and addresses of shoppers interested a free home fire safety check at supermarkets and shopping centres from Monday. 

The Christmas campaign also aims to raise awareness of these key points: 

• Ensure all plugs are fitted with the correct fuses, the plugs are wired correctly and that the wiring is not worn or damaged in any way
• Do not overload electrical sockets
• Always switch Christmas lights off and unplug them when they are not being used, and before going out or to bed
• Never leave cooking unattended – always turn off cooker when you leave the kitchen.
• Do not cook when intoxicated – alcohol can seriously affect your judgement
• Do not used decorative lights designed for use indoors outside, even if they appear sheltered from the weather
• Never leave burning candles unattended or placed near the Christmas tree, furniture or curtains
• Decorations burn very easily – never attach them to lights or heaters
• Check that any cigarettes have been completely stubbed out
• Keep Christmas cards, stockings, presents, decorations and discarded wrapping paper well away from open fireplaces and heaters
• Keep real Christmas trees away from fires and other heat sources as they are highly combustible, particularly as they dry out
• Plan an escape route in the event of a fire and make sure all guests know where the doors and window keys are kept

The calendar will act as an everyday reminder of some of the key things people can do to stay safe in the home and on the roads throughout the year.

Martin Henderson, Head of Community Safety for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said,
The Christmas giveaway will be targeted at a local level by our Firefighters who will provide these packs to shoppers at supermarkets doing their Christmas shopping.

Cooking is a big cause of accidental fires in South Wales and so the goodies we provide should act as a reminder of staying safe this Christmas as well as the rest of the year.  If anyone wants the Fire and Rescue Service to fit their smoke alarm for them, they can call the freephone number 0800 169 1234 to request a home fire safety check and we’ll fit the alarm and give all the advice they need to keep themselves safe.

Chairman of South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, Cllr Anthony Ernest said,
We’re very proud to be launching this calendar as part of the Christmas campaign.  I’m confident our communities will benefit from the smoke alarms and home fire safety checks we provide and enjoy a safer 2009.