Happy Diwali! Celebrate safely

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service acknowledge that Diwali is one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists.

During this important time, our service would like to offer fire safety advice to people celebrating Diwali.

Diwali is known as 'Festival of the Lights' and sees an increase in the use of candles (aka divas), lanterns and oil lamps. It is believed that light signifies goodness, enlightenment, knowledge and wisdom, therefore candles and lamps are used throughout the day and into the night to ward off darkness and evil.

Statistics show that there is an increased fire risk at Diwali time, because of candles, lanterns and some people use fireworks to celebrate - but by taking just a few simple precautions you can reduce the risks for yourself and your family.

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms save lives - so please make sure you have a working smoke alarm installed on every floor of your home. If there is a fire, a smoke alarm will immediately warn you, giving you and everyone in your home time to escape to safety.

More about smoke alarms 

Candles

• Always place candles firmly in a proper holder so they don't fall over and on a heat resistant surface

• Put out candles before you leave a room and before you go to bed

• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets

• Keep candles away from ribbons, greetings cards and other decorations - these could easily catch fire

• Keep candles out of draughts and away from curtains, other fabrics or furniture, which could catch fire

• Keep candles away from clothes and hair - if there's any chance you could forget a candle is there and lean across it, put it somewhere else.

More about using candles safely

Cooking

• Don't get distracted when you are cooking - turn off or turn down the heat if you have to leave the cooking unattended

• Keep tea towels, clothes and electrical leads away from the cooker and hob

• Make sure saucepan handles are not sticking out from the hob or over a naked flame

• Remember to check that the oven or hob are switched off after you have finished cooking

• Take extra care when deep-fat frying or cooking with oil - hot oil can catch fire easily - use a thermostat controlled deep-fat fryer which will make sure the fat doesn't get too hot

More kitchen fire safety tips

Fireworks

If you are thinking of using fireworks as part of your celebrations, please follow the firework code.

More firework safety advice

How safe is your home?

Complete our online home safety check and you will get a personalised fire safety plan, which will offer advice on how to prevent fires in your home.

Do the online home safety check

Safe and Well Visit for over 65's

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service will fit free smoke alarms for people who are aged over 65 and for people who are referred to us by partner agencies because they are considered to be at a particular risk.

If you are over 65 years of age and you live in Cheshire, you can arrange for a Firefighter or a Community Safety Advocate to visit your home for a free home safety visit. During the home safety visit advice will be given on how to make your home safer, what to do in the event of a fire and what to do if you are trapped by a fire. Free smoke alarms will also be fitted (if needed) with an explanation on how to maintain them correctly.

Book a home safety visit for over 65’s

Last updated: Monday 24 October 2022