THE fire service are calling for revellers to be vigilant on November 5 when two festivals, both punctuated by a heightend fire risk, occur on the same night.

THE fire service are calling for revellers to be vigilant on November 5 when two festivals, both punctuated by a heightend fire risk, occur on the same night.

Guy Fawkes Night and Diwali coincide - Hindu and Sikh communities will be celebrating next weekend alongside the revellers remembering the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Diwali is perhaps the most well known of the Hindu festivals. The word Diwali means ‘rows of lighted lamps’ and is known as the festival of lights because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small earthenware oil lamps called diyas.

For many Hindus this five day festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. People start the new business year at Diwali and some Hindus will say prayers to the goddess for a successful year. Lamps are lit to help the goddess of wealth to find her way into people’s homes.

People also celebrate the Diwali legend, which tells of the return of Rama and Sita to Rama’s kingdom after years of exile.

In Britain the festival is time for:

• ‘Spring’ cleaning the home

• Wearing new clothes, exchanging gifts and preparing festive meals

• Decorating buildings with lights

• Fireworks displays

The recent rise in the popularity of candles and scented burners around the home has increased the risk of fire and accidents. The majority of these accidents happen because candles and burners are placed too close to flammable objects such as curtains, bedding and clothing.

The risk of this happening at Diwali can be reduced by following this simple advice:

Never

• Leave a candle or burner unattended

• Lean across a candle

• Play with candles or matches

• Use outdoor candles indoors

Remember to extinguish candles and burners before you go to sleep.

Make sure candles are standing upright and are firmly fixed into proper holders that will not fall or get knocked over easily.

Always

• Place candles on a heat resistant surface

• Leave at least 10cm (4inches) between two candles and never place them under shelves or other surfaces

• Extinguish the candle before it burns into the holder

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on candles and scented burners

• Make sure candles are completely out – not smouldering.

Keep candles and burners

• Out of draughts

• Well away from curtains, furniture, drapes and sources of direct sunlight

• Away from trees, plants and other foliage

• Out of reach of children and pets

• Away from hair and clothing

Please celebrate Diwali safely, have fun and enjoy yourselves. If a fire does occur then call: 999.