RESIDENTS are being offered a few hot tips to prevent tragedy striking this Christmas.

The festive period is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year in the Fire Service calendar. Last December, fire crews turned out to 3,512 accidental fires in homes across Greater Manchester.

To avoid the chances of this happening to families this year, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has issued basic fire safety routines in the home.

Never leave candles burning unattended on Christmas trees. If you do use candles, make sure they are on an appropriate base and the flame cannot come into contact with any other materials, such as curtains.

Never lay fairy lights along combustible material such as cotton wool used to look like snow. If a fault occurs on the insulation, a build-up of heat could ignite the material.

Never spray Christmas trees with flammable products such as hairspray.

Ensure wrapping paper and packaging are kept well away from fire.

Keep matches and lighters, especially novelty ones, out of the reach of children.

If you are having a party, make sure you put out plenty of ashtrays and empty them frequently. Empty them outside in a suitable container.

Check armchairs and settees for smouldering cigarettes.

Before going to bed, check plugs and lights as well as ashtrays and furniture.

Fit a smoke alarm. If one has already been installed then check that the batteries and the alarm are working .

County Fire Officer, Barry Dixon, said: "Don't let anyone you know become a fatal fire statistic, especially the elderly."