A seasonal reminder to practice fire safety – particularly with Christmas lights and candles – has been given by a poet who escaped a blaze.

It comes from Keith Anderson, 85, after an incident at his home in The Strand, Walmer.

The retired pharmacist’s lesson learned is being repeated to householders in his specially penned poem to prevent a similar or worse incident during the festive holidays.

His awareness appeal has been backed by the fire service at a time when its firefighters heighten their community safety message during their collections in Deal High Street.

In his poem Mr Anderson, a grandfather, said: “My saga ends on a happy note, lessons learnt gets the vote.

“Take care alone in your home, any problems? Get the phone.

“My problem could have been much worse, then I wouldn’t be here writing this verse

“The message is always to check your alarm, then hopefully you’ll never come to harm.”

Top of the safety list is the importance of having a working smoke alarm.

Fortunately for him, Mr Anderson’s device alerted his neighbours who helped him extinguish the blaze, preventing the need to dial 999.

He said: “I learnt some important lessons from my fire.

“Firstly, that working fire alarms are essential, and secondly that one should be familiar with their fire-fighting equipment available such as fire blankets and extinguishers and be able to set at it easily.

“The thing is, do you know how to make them work?

“Fortunately, my neighbours came to my aid very quickly and it was clear that we didn’t need to call the fire brigade.

“Without them I hope I would have had the good sense to dial 999 to get help straightaway.”

Kent Fire and Rescue Service has also issued some fire safety advice ahead of the Christmas week.

Assistant director for community safety Ian Thompson said: “Christmas and New Year is a time for celebrations, with family and friends coming together to enjoy the festivities. It’s easy to become distracted with so much going on and easy for disaster to strike so please take extra care.

“Kent Fire and Rescue Service will be there when you need us over the festive period and throughout 2018 – working 24 hours a day to keep Kent and Medway safe from fires and other emergencies.

“We would like wish everyone a safe, well and happy festive season. Make it memorable for the right reasons by take a moment to read some top tips for keeping you and your family safe this Christmas and New Year.”

Top tips:

• Christmas is a time for thinking of others so why not do something good by testing the smoke alarms of someone you know who may need help, like an older relative or a neighbour. Do not remove the batteries at any time.

• Remember to turn off decorative lights when you go to bed or leave the house and check that they conform to the British Standard (BS EN 60598) before use.

• Never leave burning candles unattended. Keep candles out of the reach of children, and away from decorations, cards and wrapping paper, fires, lights and heaters.

• If you’re enjoying an open fire or wood burner this Christmas, make sure your chimney and flue have been inspected and swept by a certified chimney sweep. This should be done at least once a year for coal and twice if you are burning logs. Avoid overloading the grate or building fires too high and dispose of ash safely and appropriately.

• Never leave cooking unattended – over half of Kent and Medway’s domestic fires start in the kitchen and are cooking related. Avoid cooking under the influence of alcohol and always turn off kitchen appliances when you have finished.

• Try to reduce any distractions while you’re cooking – especially mobile phones. Keep your oven and hob as clean as possible as a build-up of fats and oils can increase fire risk.

• Smokers, make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished and take care when under the influence of alcohol or tired. It’s very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning and start a fire.

• After Christmas, dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home - check with your local authority to find a recycling program.

• Lastly, have an emergency plan. Make sure your family and any visitors staying over the festive period know what to do in an emergency – like telling them where the keys to doors and windows are kept so they can escape if a fire starts.

• In the event of a fire – get out, stay out and call 999 and ask for the fire service.

To find out more about how you can protect your loved ones this festive season, click here.