Information on fire safety measures during the preparation and celebration of Christmas and New Year holidays

Traditionally, one of the main attributes of the New Year's holiday is festivities and mass events. Holding such events requires organizers to comply with certain rules. Simple carelessness and negligence can mar the festive mood.

Analysis of the fire situation shows that the number of fires and the severity of their consequences increase during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The number of fires during these days increases by 13.6% compared to ordinary days, and the number of people killed in these fires increases by 2.1 times.

The peak of fires occurs during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The number of fires during these days increases by 13.6% (average number of fires – 20.1) compared to ordinary days (17.7), and the number of people killed in these fires increases by 2.1 times (3.7; 1.8).

For example, in 2015-2016, during the holiday period (from December 25 to January 7), 395 fires occurred, resulting in 47 deaths (no child fatalities were recorded) and 15 injuries.

About 90% of fires are caused by the human factor. The main causes of fires during the Christmas and New Year holidays are:

careless handling of fire – 34.4%;
violation of the rules for the installation and operation of furnaces, heat-generating units and devices – 31.8%;
violation of the rules for the installation, assembly and operation of electrical networks and electrical equipment – 17.5%;
arson – 5.8%.

To prevent fires and other emergencies, the Ministry of Emergency Situations is implementing a set of measures to strengthen services and supervisory and preventive activities.

Inspections and monitoring of Christmas and New Year celebration venues are being conducted.

During supervisory and preventive work, special attention is paid to the knowledge of duty personnel of facilities regarding the procedure for actions in case of fire and other emergencies, the condition of approaches and passages to buildings, the serviceability of communication facilities, automatic fire alarm systems and fire notification systems, the condition of evacuation exits, the serviceability of fire water supply, and the availability of primary fire extinguishing means. Briefings are conducted with the heads and personnel of facilities, and practical drills of evacuation plans for people in case of fire are carried out. Information is provided to the heads of facilities about the inadmissibility of using candles and other open flame effects, as well as pyrotechnic devices in buildings (structures) during cultural and mass (holiday) events. Information is disseminated through mass media on fire prevention issues during holiday events. Appropriate consulting assistance is provided to the heads of organizations of facilities.

Recommendations for citizens on fire prevention and the prevention of deaths from fires.

To prevent child deaths from fires, it is necessary to:

not leave children unattended by adults;
remind children of safety measures;
store matches, lighters, flammable liquids, and household chemicals out of reach of children;
not allow children to independently use gas appliances or to stoke stoves;
explain which items in the apartment can be dangerous and how to handle them, explain to the child that in case of fire, they should run outside and inform adults, and under no circumstances hide; learn the rescue service number 101 or 112 with them.

Before conducting cultural and mass events, the heads of facilities where holiday events will take place are obliged to:

appoint by order responsible persons for ensuring fire safety, who must be present in the building during the holiday;
check the fire safety condition of all premises, the condition of evacuation routes and exits;
ensure the availability and serviceability of fire extinguishing means, communication, and fire automation systems;
eliminate all identified violations before the start of the events.

For the safe conduct of cultural and mass events:

it is necessary to ensure at least two exits on each floor and in each room, which must be kept clear and appropriately marked;
it is prohibited to completely extinguish the lights in a room during performances or shows, to store flammable and combustible liquids, and to install locks or other difficult-to-open latches on evacuation exit doors;
upon completion of the event, responsible persons are obliged to inspect all premises, de-energize electrical equipment, and ensure the absence of ignition sources that could cause a fire;
in the event of a fire, the actions of facility workers must primarily be aimed at preventing panic, ensuring people's safety, their evacuation, and rescue.

Upon detection of a fire or its signs (smoke, smell of burning or smouldering materials, temperature increase, etc.), it is necessary to:

immediately report it by calling 101 or 112 to the fire and rescue service;
activate the fire alarm system;
take all possible measures to evacuate people in the building;
notify the facility manager or their substitute about the fire;
commence extinguishing the fire with available firefighting equipment and arrange to meet the fire and rescue units.

It is necessary to warn about the dangers of using pyrotechnic devices in everyday life. It would be useful to remind parents of this.

It should be noted that it is not easy to surprise today's children. Concerned parents rush around in the pre-holiday hustle looking for gifts. And then, they come across party poppers, firecrackers, and mini-fireworks, with instructions mainly in Chinese or English. When launching them, they rely solely on their own intuition. And then follows a terrible story, the continuation of which is written in the medical history of the burn department: ruptured eardrums, loss of an eye, severe burns to the body surface, and in many cases, in children.

Therefore, if pyrotechnic devices are to be purchased, they should only be bought in stores, provided they have a certificate of conformity and instructions in the Belarusian language. Discounted or damaged pyrotechnics are not permissible.

Pyrotechnics should only be used outdoors, in open areas, away from buildings and large crowds of people, and in accordance with the instructions.

When using pyrotechnic devices, it is prohibited to:

perform any actions not provided for by the instructions for use of pyrotechnic products;
use in strong winds,
launch devices showing signs of damage or past their expiry date;
dismantle pyrotechnic products;
allow children to launch them, launch from hands, aim fireworks at people,
animals, and buildings.

In case of fire, call 101 or 112.