This festive season, while we are sitting down to eat our feast with our friends and family, laughing and enjoying just taking a break, let's spare a thought for the emergency services workers who are out there working on Christmas eve, Christmas day and Christmas evening.

They have families I'm sure they want to celebrate with, food they want to eat and reasonable bedtimes they'd like to keep but instead they're going to be keeping us safe, saving our lives and being all-round good people this festive season.

I, for one, am grateful and comforted to know that there are still people out there working to keep our communities safe while we celebrate.

Let's try to give them a break – drive safely, don't do anything stupid, be careful when lighting the gas barbecue, don't knock over candles … just the basics.

So, here's to the emergency services workers giving up their Christmas for us. We owe you one.

C McGraff, Bethlehem.