Humbug! Couple defy order to take ‘fire risk’ festive wreath off door
A YOUNG couple are defying “Scrooge” housing chiefs who have ordered them to take down their front door Christmas wreath, saying it is a fire hazard.
Charles Bridges, 24, and wife Katie Tomkinson, 23, were baffled to receive a letter demanding they remove the silver decoration a week before Christmas, for health and safety reasons.
The letter claimed the £3.99 wreath could be a danger as it was displayed in a “communal area”.
The couple were also told that if they failed to take down the heart-shaped ornament, it would be confiscated from their housing association flat in Derby.
Charles, a carer, said: “It is absolutely ridiculous. It’s health and safety gone mad. The council and the housing association are acting like modern day Scrooges.
“It’s heavy-handedness on the part of the council after what happened with Grenfell tower in London but that was caused by a fridge-freezer, not a wreath.
Shame
“I’m a Christian and I should be allowed to decorate my house with Christmas decorations.”
He added: “The wreath does not contain lights, there is no electricity at all, so I can’t understand why it’s a fire risk.
“I’ve got a Christmas tree, I’ve got Christmas lights in my house and I’ve got a fridge – should I remove all of them too?
“We have had the wreath up every year since we moved in four years ago and it’s never been a problem.”
Katie said: “It’s Christmas, for goodness sake. It has put a bit of a blot on the festive season.
“Other neighbours have had similar letters and I just think it’s a real shame.”
The couple received the warning from Derby Homes, which runs and maintains properties on behalf of Derby City Council.
Katie said: “I called Derby Homes and they said because my front door is visible from the hallway, which is a communal area, I’m not allowed the wreath.
“The only possible way it could be a fire hazard is if someone set it on fire.”
A Derby Homes spokesman said: “This time of year is difficult as we must balance our responsibilities as a landlord while allowing people to celebrate.
“Our policy requires communal corridors, landings and stairwells to be a ‘clear zone’, free of all extraneous items. We encourage all tenants to decorate the inside of their homes.”