14 simple steps towards a safe home this Christmas

While your spruce conifer may look lovely with all its shiny baubles and twinkling lights do you know just how much of a potential safety risk it can be? And what about last year's Christmas lights, are you sure they work? And have you checked your smoke alarm?

We’re not trying to suck the fun out of Christmas, but there are few things you can do to ensure that your home is safe this festive season.

Here are our festive dos and don’ts.

Don't assume your fire alarm is working.

Do call your landlord or maintenance company if you’re not sure how to check it.

Don't leave back doors or windows unlocked. Christmas is prime opportunity for thieves.

Do ensure you have locked everything up before bed or if you go out.

Don't put your tree too close to an AC vent or open flames, such as candles.

Do put it in a corner or against a wall where it won’t become an obstacle.

Don't use a sub-standard base for the tree. It could fall over if the stand or pot is not big enough.

Do check when buying the tree that the base or pot is suitable.

Don't buy Christmas tree lights from unknown brands. Poor-quality lights have been responsible for many house fires over the years.

Do check online for advice on good brands before you buy.

Don't assume they’re ok without checking them.

Do check for damaged cable or exposed wires, particularly near the plug end.

Don't leave your tree lights on when you go out or go to bed.

Do check that they work and that they aren’t damaged before you wrap around the tree.

Don't put lights up alone. If you’re decorating the outside of your house and the job requires the use of a ladder, ensure you have someone footing it for you. Never try to do it alone.

Do ask for help. If you have to go up a ladder, make sure you have someone with you.

Don't go mad with extension cables. Never use more than one extension cable for a single purpose.

Do put the lights within 1-2 metres of a plug socket, but not so close that it’s touching it.

Don't use indoor lights outdoors. While rain is rare in the UAE, moisture in the air is more common than you may think. If you’re putting lights outside your house, ensure they are for external use.

Do buy external lights from a reputable brand.

Don't leave trailing cables lying around. If you have small children, cables left running around the floor can be extremely dangerous.

Do ensure plug sockets are close to hand and use duct tape or conduit to secure the cables.

Don't overdo the candles. They look jolly lovely, but use them sparingly. Ensure not to leave them near flammable items like pot plants or wall-hangings.

Do be sure you blow them out before bed or if you go out.

Don't leave the kitchen unsupervised.

Do make sure you do a double check of everything when dinner is done, making sure the oven and hob is turned off.

Don't let children run around the house near to the Christmas tree or in the kitchen

Do explain to them the potential dangers of Christmas decorations.

Martin Fullard is a former web-editor for Sports and Guides on Gulf News and now works in the U.K.