'Tis the season for resolutions.

Some, like putting in place alarms to protect your loved ones, your home, your business, are so vital they should be done straightaway. Businesses are often left empty at weekends and holiday times. You will cut back on the possibility of robbery with a professionally fitted burglar alarm, with quality locks to put off opportunist thieves and, to get evidence of professional burglars in action, a round the clock CCTV surveillance system.

Fire too is a risk. You may need to leave computers on when your staff are not there, the computer server for instance, which is a fire risk in itself. Getting a fire alarm, fitted by professionals, is essential.

Then there's the risk of flooding, especially in winter months when burst pipes are common. Monitored CCTV will warn you to a flood, noticing a leak early so that you can deal with it and stoop major damage.

Meanwhile at home too, fit smoke detectors, better still have a fire alarm fitted professionally. Discard the old Xmas lights, and never leave them lit when you go out, even new ones. Save your family from horrible 'if onlys': If only we 'd bought new lights; if only the lights hadn't been left on; if only the plugs hadn't been overloaded! Fact is, tree lights DO burn out, laptops DO catch fire, mobile 'phone chargers DO overheat. Then there are the decorative candles aka an open flame.

Pretty, perfumed candles are also fire risks. These are open flames!

At social gatherings too, candles look lovely, everyone has seen tables at weddings arranged with lots of tealights. Very pretty, but can bring guests' ties getting worryingly close to live

flames with the potential for a nasty burn at the least.

How to use candles safely

DO: Locate candles carefully on a stable, fixed surface, beyond the reach of soft furnishings, newspapers kids and pets.

DON'T: Carry candles once lit.

DON'T: Group candles together, heat gets concentrated and can flare.

DON'T: Light candles near draughts, but the room must be well-ventilated.

DO: Smother candles with a snuffer or spoon to avoid sparks as a result of blowing them out.

DO: Set tealights in heat resistant holders. Perfumed candles liquefy to bring out the scent.

DO: Fit smoke alarms, DO: Get a smoke alarm. Test it regularly!. DON'T leave it until then to test!

DO: Be sure that everyone knows what to do if there is a fire. Talk about scenarios and rehearse the escape.And finally - carbon monoxide. An undetectable, smell-free gas, often called the silent killer. Like fire-alarms, CO2, or carbon monoxide, alarms can save lives!

Scary!