Issued on: Wednesday 1 September 2021

Celebrate Safely in 2021

Celebrate Safely, the annual campaign to encourage people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to consider their safety during the upcoming season of celebrations has begun.

Each year, the Celebrate Safely campaign runs across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and ties in with a number of upcoming events and celebrations through to Christmas and New Year. It involves Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, Rutland County Council and a number of district and borough councils across the county.

Nick Stanborough, Station Manager at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Last year, was a different year for many, with lots of events being cancelled due to the pandemic and many of us celebrating more at home. Now events across the city and county are starting to take place, it is even more important that our Celebrate Safely campaign is here to help and support our communities. We will be offering many useful safety tips from all the services involved.

“Whether you are attending events such as Leicester Pride, Diwali, Christmas markets, or even celebrating at home, we want you to enjoy the celebrations safely. It is important to keep yourself, your family and friends safe, as well as your property and belongings.”

Celebrate Safely includes a social media campaign, where key safety messages and advice will be shared, to ensure people consider the safety of their friends and family and enjoy the celebrations safely.

The campaign focuses on the fire risks of electrical items, candles, fireworks, and cooking, as well as giving advice on how to stay safe when you are out and about. The campaign also promotes the importance of installing and regularly testing smoke alarms in our homes.  

Nick Stanborough, added: “If you are celebrating at home this year, we urge everyone to follow our safety tips – keep a watchful eye on candles, divas and cooking at all times. Please be cautious when it comes to fireworks and bonfires to help avoid any risk to loved ones caused by fires.

“Where possible, look out for your older relatives and neighbours during periods of celebration, to ensure they are safe too. Our wish for all our communities, is to have a happy and safe end to 2021.”

Chief Superintendent Adam Streets, Commander for the Local Policing Directorate, said: “Leicester has always been a vibrant and diverse place to live with an array of festivals, celebrations and events taking place throughout the autumn and winter months.

“Although some of these events may look a little different again this year due to Covid, our role is still to ensure that those celebrating, where possible, can do so safely.

“We would remind people to be vigilant while out and about, look after their belongings and be respectful of others.”

Celebrate safely this year by following the campaigns top tips below:

  • Make sure you have a working smoke alarm installed on each level of your home
  • Never leave cooking unattended
  • Don’t attempt to cook if you are under the influence of alcohol
  • Consider using battery powered candles
  • Keep candles out of the reach of pets and children, and away from decorations
  • Beware of fake electrical products
  • Don’t overload electrical sockets! If in doubt: one plug, one socket
  • When you go out lock your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a short time
  • Be discreet with your valuables
  • Never drive any vehicle under the influence of drink or drugs
  • Respect – be aware of your surroundings and each other.

For more in depth information about the campaign, useful safety tips and advice, visit www.celebratesafely.com.

ENDs

Notes to Editors:
Interviews can be arranged through prior arrangement with Corporate Communications on the details below.

About the Service

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.

During 2019/20, we attended a total of 8,541 emergency incidents, including 2,079 fires and 748 road traffic collisions. A total of 7,274 Home Safety Checks were completed and we fitted 4,720 smoke alarms. 305 schools were visited as part of the Service’s schools programme, delivering fire and road safety education to 26,218 pupils. Staff organised or took part in 1,218 community safety activities, totalling over 11,000 hours of time engaging with members of the public.

The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire-related incidents have reduced by over 30 percent. 

Contact:

Corporate Communications

Direct: 0116 210 5592

corporate.communications@leics-fire.gov.uk  

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