Caution, fire risk! Tips for safe Advent season in Salzburg

Caution, fire risk! Tips for safe Advent season in Salzburg

Salzburg, Österreich - In Austria, the time of Christmas preparations is not only romantic, but also dangerous. From December to the end of January, an average of 500 budget fires are registered. In 2023 alone, the authorities in Salzburg counted 26 room fires. The Salzburg Civil Protection Association organizes special warnings during this critical period: burning candles and other heat sources should never remain unattended. Particular caution is required for dry advent wreaths and flashes that can easily catch fire, according to the association.

To prevent fires, civil protection, advent wreaths and Christmas trees recommend regularly to moisturize and leave enough space for easily flammable materials. It is also advisable to install smoke detectors and to have fire extinguishers. In the event of a fire, you should stay calm, choose the emergency number 122 and leave the room as quickly as possible. These preventive measures are becoming more important in the run -up to Christmas, as Salzburg.orf.at reported.

New legal foundations for civil protection

In order to further strengthen disaster in Austria, an important law was decided in November, which will come into force from January 1, 2024. The rescue and civil protection organizational support law, which was unanimously accepted by the National and Federal Council, aims to better support the civil protection associations and rescue organizations. From 2024, the Austrian Civil Protection Association (ÖZSV) not only receives clearly defined tasks, but also a fixed budget that enables long-term planning, as civil protection. .

The new law provides 20 million euros annually for disaster prevention, of which 18 million flow to the federal states to modernize the equipment. This is a crucial step to increase the resilience of the population in crisis cases and to promote awareness of self -protection. The civil protection associations, which have been committed to the population since 1961, can significantly improve their service offers through these legal changes.