The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has urged vigilance over the Christmas period, following three fire-related deaths in under 24 hours.
A man in his 20s and a woman aged in her 50s died in separate house fires in Belfast and Bangor on Friday.
Another woman, aged in her 40s, died in a house fire in the Areema Drive area of Dunmurry in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A spokesperson for the NIFRS said it was “unusual to have so many house fire fatalities over such a brief period”.
Read more: Two people killed in separate house fires
They added: “Sadly this is the third loss of life within the last 24 hours. [It is] unusual to have so many house fire fatalities over such a brief period but we have seen a rise in this type of incident this year.
“NIFRS would implore everyone to think of fire safety this holiday period heeding our Safe for the Season messaging.”
Posting on social media, the NIFRS issued some key advice for the Christmas period, including:
- Don’t overload plug sockets and stick to one plug per socket. Always remember to switch off and unplug the lights before leaving your home or going to bed.
- If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure it is well hydrated, as a dry tree becomes more flammable.
- Christmas dinners and parties can be one of the best parts of the holiday season. Always avoid cooking while under the influence of alcohol, and ensure there are no dishtowels, packaging or paper near the hob. Remember to turn appliances off when you are finished using them or if you need to leave the room.
- Keep candles away from curtains and decorations and when possible, opt for battery-operated candles instead.
- Homes can become very crowded at Christmas. Therefore, it’s important to ensure all escape routes are clear of any decorations or gifts and that everyone staying with you during the festive season is aware of the fire escape plan in case of an emergency.
- It’s vital that every home is protected with working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Smoke alarms give an early warning if a fire breaks out, so they should be fitted on every level of your home.
- Any room with a fuel-burning appliance, such as a gas boiler, fireplace or wood-burning stove, should have a working carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon monoxide is invisible and odourless, so having an alarm in these rooms is essential.
NIFRS Area Commander Suzanne Fleming said: “These incidents serve as a stark reminder of how quickly fires can break out and how devastating their impact can be.
“We are urging everyone to take a moment today to check their smoke alarms and ensure they are working correctly, never remove the batteries, and if the alarm is faulty, replace it immediately.
“Check in on vulnerable family, friends, neighbours, and anyone who may need support to ensure they have working smoke alarms and CO alarms in rooms with fuel-burning appliances.
“We are also reminding the public of the importance of having a fire escape plan. Keep escape routes clear and keys close by to windows and doors to ensure quick access in an emergency.
“Fire prevention is at the heart of what we do at NIFRS. We will continue to work closely with the community to spread the STOP Fire message and urge everyone to remain vigilant and prioritise fire safety in the home this winter and beyond.”