The celebration of love, hearts and chocolate is a wonderful time of year, but it does pose its own unique set of safety hazards. It is easy to be caught up in the romance of Valentine’s Day. From the flowers to the romantic candlelight dinners, you have a lot going on, chances are you will be more occupied with your party guests or your private dinner. Small errors or neglect is all it takes for huge safety and security issues. This Valentine’s Day, you can have a lovely time while still staying on top of everyone’s well-being.
Candles
What could be lovelier than a candlelight dinner or bath for the object of your affections? That’s a matter of taste, but a fire is certainly not going to help set the mood. To help things run smoothly, remember that lit candles should never be left unattended.
You should also consider the type and placement of candles to help minimise risk. Naked flames should be kept away from flammable things like piles of paper and curtains. They should also be well back from the edge of a surface, so they are less likely to get knocked over.
If you want lots of candles on every available surface, choose tea-lights for safety and cost. They can be very cheap when bought in bulk, and are also much harder to spill or tip than taper candles, on account of their large base and low height. Choose the sort with a metal casing to avoid wax spills, which can be very difficult to get out of fabrics, and can even burn them if hot enough.
Cooking
If you’ve decided to avoid the busy restaurants and celebrate at home, make sure you’ve made careful cooking plans, particularly if you’re attempting something outside your comfort zone. If at all possible, practice ahead of time to avoid burning, undercooking or otherwise spoiling what should be your moment of triumph.
While it’s often best to stick to what you know, making sure you have all your ingredients and tools laid out at the beginning can help the process go smoothly. It’s also important to stay nearby, even if something is merely sitting in the oven or simmering. Beforehand, check the batteries in your smoke alarm for your peace of mind. Watch out for those oil splatters and be sure to keep Burnshield nearby!
Recap
- Blow out candles when you leave the room
- Keep clothing, blankets, and pillows away from fireplaces and torches
- If you haven’t started your fireplace in a long time, inspect and test it beforehand. Poorly operating fireplaces are not just a fire hazard but they’re also a carbon monoxide danger
- Forgotten meals in the oven or on the stovetop can lead to fires. Consider using timers to remind you of the meal, and as always, be sure all smoke/fire alarms are operational
- Keep Burnshield nearby
Resource: https://www.guardmesecurity.com/blog/valentines-day-safety-tips/ https://housemaster.com/article/Valentines-Day-safety-tips https://www.secom.plc.uk/newsroom/home-security/valentines-day-safety/801770090