This article is from page 8 of the 2013-12-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
CALL outs to Christmas fires in Clare fell last year again for the third consecutive year, and the county’s fire service is determined to continue that trend this festive season.
The Clare Fire Service reported that brigades throughout Clare were mobilised to 44 incidents during last Christmas.
The call-out figures for the period December 20, 2012, to January 3, 2013, were less than those recorded during the corresponding periods in 2009, 2010 and 2011 when the Fire Service was mobilised to 81, 64 and 48 incidents respectively.
The majority of emergency callouts were attended by Ennis Fire Brigade (20), followed by Shannon (13), Killaloe (3), Ennistymon (3), Scariff (2), Kilrush (2) and Kilkee (1).
Six of the call outs related to chimney fires, down 18 from the previous year, while firefighters also attended 10 road-based incidents, two agricultural building fires, two storage building fires, one house fire, one outdoor rubbish fire and 11 false alarm incidents.
The main causes of fire during the festive season are candles left unprotected, fairylights left on all night or improperly wired, Christmas trees falling over, open fires without fireguards, and decorations catching fire.
According to Adrian Kelly, Clare Chief Fire Officer, “Open fires are used for longer periods during the Christmas period as people spend a lot more time at home. Electrical items and extension leads are used more. Add in flammable decorations, candles and alcohol and it becomes apparent that the risks increase during the festive season.”
Mayor of Clare Cllr Joe Arkins has urged members of the public to familiarise themselves with the fire safety advice, which may be viewed on the Clare County Council website at www.clarecoco.ie.
“While Christmas is a time for celebration, it is important that the public remains alert to the fire dangers that exist at their homes. I encourage householders across County Clare to think about fire safety ahead of and during the Christmas period to avoid the risk of their Christmas being ruined.”