Fire Holiday Safety

Use the proper lights when decorating and check for worn or damaged cords. You don't need to be Clark Griswold to shine bright with lights this holiday!

Consider using LED lights and hang your outdoor-rated lights with nail-free clips. Cut your loss and toss damaged strings – an electrical fire is a sure bet for a lousy holiday.

Keep decorations away from candles. Fires caused by holiday decorations and open flames from candles are all too common this season.

Battery-operated candles are a great alternative. If you must light up, put candles in sturdy containers and always blow them out when you leave the room. Keep candles away from children, pets and anything that can burn.

Install and test carbon monoxide alarms.

Unlike gingerbread, carbon monoxide is odourless.
Unlike your uncle's ugly Christmas sweater, it's invisible.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas that can cause flu-like symptoms. A CO alarm alerts you to a potential CO emergency with four beeps and is the best way to protect your family from The Silent Killer.

Water fresh trees daily. Falling needles are your tree's way of telling you it's drying out and is a fire waiting to happen. If you are decorating with a real tree, avoid being a statistic and water your tree daily. Christmas tree fires are rare but happen quickly, follow these additional tips to stay safe. 

Keep the tree away from heat sources including candles, heaters and vents and avoid using any non-LED lights.

Getting wound up in the holiday spirit?
Don't “overextend” your outlets!

Check your extension cords for damage and use them properly. Extension cords are a intended to be a temporary solution and if more outlets are required, have them installed by a licensed electrician.

Fire and electric shock are not on anyone's list this season. Avoid overloading a circuit, never run extension cords under a rug make sure your cords are rated for the correct use.

Use candles with care. Consider using battery-operated flameless candles for your holiday decorating and celebrations for a flame-free, safe, sparkly décor option.

If your celebration requires the use of real candles, always keep an open flame away from anything that can burn including curtains, decorations, or paper. Keep lighters and matches away from children and douse any used matches before putting in the garbage. Never leave candles unattended too.

Prepare and practice your escape plan with everyone in your home. Santa needs one way out of your home – you need two.

Give your family the gift of peace of mind with a home fire escape plan. Have two ways out of every room, if possible, to ensure your loved ones are prepared for the worst so you can focus on the best: festive cheer!

Baby, it's cold outside! Staying warm this Winter Solstice means practicing fire safety.

Keep heating sources away from anything that can burn. Space heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces are all great ideas until an accident happens. Keep at least one metre (3 feet) distance between your heat source and any combustibles, like paper and fabrics.

Lit cigarettes are Ontario's number one cause of fatal fires.

This season, have all smoking done outside using a deep, sturdy ashtray. Never flick your butt – a lit butt might be the difference between a holiday to remember and a holiday you'll never forget. Plus, no one wants the gift of litter.

Smoke outside. Period.

Be aware of lithium-ion batteries.
Receiving a new toy or device during the festive period can be exciting, but if it has a lithium-ion battery, it can also add potential risk to your home.

Always monitor the toy or device when it is charging; read the manufacturer's instructions for safe charging and do not exceed the recommended charging time.