DID YOU KNOW?
December sees a significant increase in fire risks, often due to common Christmas season hazards. With Christmas approaching and decorations likely already up, it is absolutely essential to dedicate time now to practice fire safety measures. Making smart choices is the key to ensuring a cheerful, safe, and festive season for everyone.
LIGHT UP SAFELY
- INSPECT-TO-CORRECT: Inspect and replace damaged cords, plugs, or ornaments.
- Use lights that are properly rated for indoor or outdoor use.
- Always follow package instructions and never exceed wattage limits.
- Avoid a fire hazard; DO NOT plug too many lights or decorations into one outlet.
- Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) outlets for outdoor power.
- Choose lights with a recognized Canadian approval mark, such as: CSA, cULus or cETLus.
- Remember, take down decorations when the Christmas season is over; they aren’t designed for year-round use and can deteriorate over time.
EXTENSION CORDS
- Don’t overload extension cords or circuits; too many decorations can overheat and cause fires.
- Frequent tripped circuits or blown fuses are warning signs.
- Extension cords are a temporary solution; if more electrical outlets are required, have them installed by a licensed electrician.
- Never remove the third prong (the grounding pin) as it prevents electric shock.
- Don’t run cords under carpets, where furniture can damage them, or through doors/windows.
- Keep connections off the ground and away from puddles, walkways, and driveways.
- Fire and electric shock are not on anyone’s wish list this season—avoid overloading an electrical circuit and never run extension cords under a rug.
CANDLE SAFETY
Fires caused by holiday decorations, and open flames from candles are all too common during the Christmas season. Here are some tidbits to follow:
- Choose a SAFER-ALTERNATIVE to real candles; light up your Christmas season with BATTERY-OPERATED candles.
- If you choose real candles, ask yourself: “Is that candle too close to the decoration(s) sitting on your table, shelf, fireplace mantle or other flat surface(s)?”
- If you choose real candles, place them in a solid, sturdy holder, in a location where they can’t be knocked over.
- If you choose real candles, place a glass shade or hurricane chimney over them.
- Keep lit candles away from anything that can burn; don’t place lit candles near windows where blinds or curtains may close or blow over them.
- Never leave lit candles unattended; stay in the room where candles are being used.
- If you choose real candles, ensure they are not used in any bedrooms.
- Never allow older children to use lit candles in their bedrooms; a forgotten candle or incident is all it takes to start a fire!
- Always keep candles, matches, and lighters out of reach of children; never leave children or pets alone in a room with lit candles.
- WHEN YOU GO OUT, BLOW OUT! Always blow out candles before leaving the room.
WORKING SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES!
- Fatal fires are at their highest rate during the Christmas season.
- When seconds matter, a working Smoke Alarm is the GIFT-OF-TIME in the event of a fire.
- A working Smoke Alarm outside each sleeping area, on every level of the home, tested monthly, and batteries replaced at least annually, is the best GIFT-OF-SAFETY you can give your family this season.
- For added safety, install working SMOKE ALARMS in every bedroom!
WORKING CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ALARMS SAVE LIVES!
- Unlike gingerbread, carbon monoxide is odorless.
- Unlike someone’s ugly Christmas sweater … it’s invisible.
- Unlike those tasty holiday treats … it’s tasteless.
- Carbon Monoxide is a DEADLY TOXIC GAS; only a working CO ALARM can detect the presence of this lethal gas.
- A working CO Alarm alerts people to a potential CO emergency with FOUR PEEPS and is the best way to protect your family from the SILENT KILLER!
DEATH BY CO IS PREVENTABLE!
- New changes are coming to Ontario’s Carbon Monoxide Safety Requirements effective January 1, 2026.
- To learn more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from the silent killer … visit: Ontario.ca/CarbonMonoxide
HYDRATE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
- If you choose and/or have already chosen a natural tree, examine it to ensure it’s not dry and shedding needles, a condition which causes a tree to become highly combustible.
- Additionally, prior to setting it up in a secure tip resistance stand with the provision for holding water, place a fresh cut on the trunk at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the original cut.
- Remember, falling needles are your tree’s way of telling you it’s drying out and is a fire waiting to happen.
- Keep your tree lush and vibrant by watering it daily.
- Be aware of heat sources near the tree, including candles, space heaters, baseboard heaters, and non-LED lights.
Remember, taking the time to learn and practice injury prevention costs you nothing. Failing to do so, could lead to the unthinkable … the loss of your life and the lives of those you hold dear.
Safety—it starts with you.
