FIREFIGHTERS have urged people to deck the halls safely after a spate of fires caused by Christmas lights and decorations.

Fire crews in North Yorkshire have this week dealt with five house fires caused by decorations and candles.

Last week, a family of four was rescued from a house in Scarborough after tree lights started a blaze.

Station manager Carl Boasman said: "The main cause of these recent fires has been candles left unattended, which have set fire to decorations. A number of fires have been caused by Christmas tree lights, which have been left on for long periods, very often overnight.

"Thankfully, no one has been seriously injured by these fires, as early warning was given by smoke alarms."

People were 50 per cent more likely to die in an accidental home fire over Christmas than at any other time, he said.

Safety advice includes unplugging tree lights at night, never leaving burning candles unattended and keeping them away from children, not overloading sockets and having a smoke alarm on every floor.

Cigarettes should be extinguished before bed and families should devise a fire escape plan.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service offers free home fire safety checks, including fitting smoke alarms.

Go to www.northyorksfire. gov.uk or call 01609-788545.