A Safe New Year
A Safe New Year
The New Year holidays are approaching—days eagerly awaited by both children and adults. However, it is during this festive period that the risk of various emergency situations increases. Therefore, on the eve of the holidays, the Emergency Situations Department of the Kurchum District urges citizens to observe fire safety rules.
During New Year events held in places with large numbers of people, teachers, class supervisors, or caregivers must always be present with children. They must be instructed in fire safety measures and the rules for evacuating children from the premises in case of a fire. Those responsible for organizing New Year celebrations are required, before the event begins, to carefully inspect all premises and emergency exits and personally ensure that everything is fully prepared in terms of fire safety and that the premises are equipped with primary fire extinguishing equipment.
A number of requirements must be observed when installing a New Year tree. According to fire safety regulations, premises where New Year parties and carnivals are held must have at least two evacuation exits, must not have bars on the windows, and must be located no higher than the second floor in buildings with combustible floor structures. The venue for New Year celebrations must be equipped with telephone communication and fire-fighting equipment.
The Christmas tree should not be placed in passageways or near exits. It must be installed on a stable base and positioned so that its branches do not touch walls or the ceiling. When decorating the tree, it is prohibited to use flammable toys and decorations. Candles and party poppers must not be used, and fireworks or other fire-hazardous lighting effects that could cause a fire are strictly forbidden.
Only experienced electricians should install the tree’s lighting. At the slightest suspicion of a malfunction in the decorative lighting (such as strong heating of wires, flickering bulbs, sparking, etc.), the illumination must be switched off immediately. Persons responsible for fire safety are obliged to inform the State Fire Control authorities of the date and time of the New Year celebration.
Under no circumstances may pyrotechnic products be used indoors. The use of pyrotechnics is permitted outdoors only, at a safe distance from buildings. All rules for safe use are explained in the instructions or on the packaging of certified pyrotechnic products.
It is prohibited to:
- carry firecrackers in pockets;
- purchase pyrotechnics from street vendors or questionable stalls;
- aim rockets or fireworks at people;
- throw firecrackers at people’s feet;
- set off fireworks closer than 30 meters to residential buildings;
- hold the fuse close to the face while lighting it.
There are also a number of fire safety requirements regarding the sale of pyrotechnic products. Their sale is permitted only in specialized stores (departments or sections) and in properly equipped locations. Each batch of pyrotechnic products must have certificates of conformity and instructions for use in the state language and Russian. The sale of non-factory-made pyrotechnic items or products that do not meet certification requirements is prohibited. Pyrotechnic products must not be stored in retail enterprises located in buildings of other purposes or in shared storage areas of markets.
The sale of pyrotechnic products with light and sound effects to preschool children and younger school-age children is strictly prohibited.
If all of the above requirements are observed, New Year celebrations will not be overshadowed by any misfortune, and the holiday will pass without unpleasant surprises.