The number of house fires in Watford and Three Rivers continued to fall this winter - traditionally a peak time for accidental fires in the home.
Figures just released have shown that accidental property fires in the district reduced by 12 per cent in the period October to March compared to the previous year.
House fires increase during the winter months due to increased use of candles, electric blankets, open fires and portable heaters.
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The seasonal rise can also be associated with celebrations during Christmas, New Year, Hanukkah and Eid where drinking more alcohol can increase the risk of accidental fires started by cooking and cigarettes.
Chief Fire Officer Roy Wilsher said: "I'm delighted that we've achieved a positive reduction in accidental property fires.
"Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to reducing fire deaths and injuries through community fire safety initiatives. At the beginning of the winter we launched our new Community Fire Safety Task Force which has been out and about in the county giving out essential safety advice.
"Education is pivotal to reducing accidental fires and a large part of the role of a firefighter involves carrying out fire safety initiatives, including free home fire safety checks. We won't be complacent and our firefighters and fire safety officers will continue to warn of the risks of fire."
The figures are just below the rest of the county where there has been an overall reduction of 20 per cent.
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