AS MANY people tuck into the turkey and crack open the sherry, emergency responders across the county will be spending their Christmas on-call for other safety.

Firefighters across the county are just some of the dedicated individuals who put their own celebrations on hold to make sure others go without a hitch.

Stevie Morse, based at Burford Fire Station, will spend her Christmas day ready to drop everything at the sound of her pager.

It is the 29-year-old's third year on duty for Christmas day and said she knows all to well festive distractions can trigger an emergency.

She said: "Two years ago I finished up attending someone else’s Christmas meal, not as a guest, but to put it out.

"The family had popped round to neighbours, leaving the potatoes to boil.

"The water in the pan evaporated and a small fire started. Luckily the smoke alarm was triggered, and we were called and able to extinguish the flames before they caused serious damage.

"Nevertheless, there was some smoke damage, and the family was in an understandable state of shock.

"Not the ideal Christmas Day for them."

Elsewhere in the county, 49-year-old Paul Webster will put plans on hold to also be ready to respond at the drop of a hat.

The whole-time fire station manager for Abingdon, Wantage and Faringdon has 27 years experience under his belt and done many Christmas Day shifts.

He said: "My role as a duty officer is to respond to an emergency and take over as the incident commander. This means I coordinate the firefighters who attend.

"I don’t go to the fire station, but instead leap into my response car and drive straight to the emergency.

"A fire or road traffic accident can be just as devastating on Christmas Day as it is on any other day, and the same safety advice applies.

"I have worked many Christmas Days and remember some for the wrong reasons, including car crashes, domestic fires; even a restaurant blaze in Witney a few years ago.

"I hope I’ll have a quiet family Christmas this year, but if you do need Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service on 25 December, like Stevie, the turkey comes second. I’ll drop everything to swiftly attend whatever the emergency."

Mr Webster put out a plea for people to make sure smoke alarms are working, and regularly check the batteries. If there is a fire, get out, stay out and call 999.

He added: "As heart-breaking as it is to lose your presents or Christmas meal to a fire, losing your life or suffering burns or injury is even more devastating."

Ms Morse added her own Christmas safety message about drink driving.

The personal trainer and assistant manager at Eynsham Hall Health and Fitness Club said: "Most people understand that if they’ve been drinking, they don’t drive, but it’s often Boxing Day when revellers get caught out.

"Alcohol might still be in the system, meaning someone ‘behind the wheel’ is less alert, with slower instincts. My message is: please avoid driving the day after you’ve been drinking. It’s fine having a merry Christmas Day, but you should never be complacent the morning after.

"I wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas.

"That means avoid being distracted when cooking the big family meal, and if enjoying a bit, or a lot, of your favourite beverage; don’t drink and drive.

"And avoid the car the following day too, until you’re confident the booze has left your system."

For details 365alive.co.uk