The Barbados Fire Service is continuing to heighten the level of fire safety awareness during this busy holiday season. On Friday afternoon members of the Fire Prevention and Community Relations Unit were in the City spreading the gospel of fire safety to shoppers.

Personnel from the Fire Service were accompanied by a crew from the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as they made their way along High Street and Swan Street.

The risk of fire significantly increases during the holiday season, residents may find themselves particularly vulnerable to fires for a variety of reasons. Candles are often used as a holiday tradition and can be placed too close to combustible materials that could start a fire. The inappropriate use of decorative lights can also cause circuits to overload. However, holiday cooking left unattended is the biggest fire danger in the home.

Fire Officers Stephen Miller and Shirley Griffith reminded the public that six persons lost their lives this year as a result of fire and suggested that every effort be made by homeowners to acquire and install a working smoke detector.