Firefighter tips to stay safe this Diwali

The Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it wanted to make sure everyone stayed safe during Diwali celebrations. 

Diwali is known as the "Festival of Lights" and leads to an increased use of diva or oil lamps. Light is believed to mean goodness, so various oil lamps are lit day and night to banish darkness and evil. The festival also features fireworks.

Those celebrating Diwali on October 24 can protect themselves and their families as best they can by taking a few simple precautions.

This service recommends:

1: Make sure all candles and divas are in safe and stable holders and all tealights are on heat resistant surfaces.

2: Keep candles and heroes away from delicate objects including blankets and out of the reach of small children.

3: In handmade candles and decorated divas, special care should be taken to ensure that the flame does not come into contact with anything that can ignite. Long hair and clothing (especially sarees, chunris, chuni and dupattas) are also highly flammable.

4: Do not leave candles unattended - Be careful when lying down or going to pray.

5: Do not daisy-chain extension cords or adapters: "Daisy chaining" means plugging one extension cord into another extension cord to extend range or connect more devices., poses a serious fire hazard

6: Make sure all fireworks meet UK safety standards - Store in metal boxes, read instructions and never return to lit fireworks. Keep a bucket of water nearby.

7: Do not leave the stove while cooking on holidays.

8: In the event of a fire, follow the simple rules of evacuating, staying outside and calling 999. Please do not return to the site to retrieve your items.

9: If you don't have a smoke detector, please take this opportunity to get one. The alarms are inexpensive, are provided free of charge by the fire department and provide early warning to leave the property in the event of a fire.