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Holiday Safety

HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY

The Burlington Fire Department would like everyone to think of PREVENTION, DETECTION, and ESCAPE in an effort to avoid or survive a fire in your home.  Review the following information in an effort to PREVENT the devastation of a fire from touching your loved ones this holiday season and throughout the year.  If, after your best efforts, a fire does happen, early DETECTION will improve your family’s ability to safely ESCAPE your home.

PREVENTION:

CANDLES

  • Keep lit candles away from combustible material such as furniture, wall coverings, trees or plants, and other decorative items.
  • Always stay in the room when you have lit a candle.  Extinguish candles before you leave the room or before going to sleep.
  • Candles should only be burned in sturdy containers such as glass, metal, or ceramic.  The container should prevent accidental toppling, catch wax drippings and the flame should not extend above the opening of the container. 
  • Use extra caution when lighting and using candles in the presence of small children and pets.  Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
  • Using candles in bedrooms is strongly discouraged.  If candles are used in bedrooms, install an additional smoke alarm in that room as well as in the hall immediately outside of the room.

CHRISTMAS TREES

  • When using a natural tree, choose one that is fresh and green and cut at least 1” off the trunk before placing it in a stand that will hold at least 2 or 3 litres of water.
  • Keep the tree well watered with fresh clean water.  Do not add sugar or other additives as these may prevent water from being drawn up the trunk.
  • Keep the tree away from a heating vent or fireplace that will cause drying.
  • Ensure the tree is placed in a location that will not block an exit.
  • Turn off the tree lights when you go out or when you go to bed.

ELECTRICAL CONCERNS

  • Discard worn or defective electrical cords and decorations.
  • Keep bulbs and flood lights away from combustible material indoors and out.
  • Use extension cords cautiously. Never overload cords and use power bars with breakers, where possible. Never run cords under rugs or staple to walls or floors.
CHRISTMAS PARTIES
  • Provide plenty of large ashtrays with centre cigarette rests for guests that smoke.
  • Empty ashtrays into metal cans or douse with water when you are cleaning up at the end of the night. Place the ash cans outdoors to cool.
  • After all guests leave, check all areas for carelessly discarded cigarette butts, especially furniture, planters, and garbage cans.
  • Be sure that lighters, matches and alcohol have not been left in reach of children.

HOLIDAY COOKING

  • Stay in the kitchen when something is cooking on the stovetop.
  • Keep a tight fitting lid handy to smother the flames, if a fire starts. Never move a burning pot and never put water on any type of cooking fire.
  • Wear tight fitting sleeves and tie back loose clothing when working at the stove.
  • Keep pot handles turned inward, away from the front of the stove, to prevent them from being knocked over or pulled down by small children.

WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE

  • Have your fireplace checked by a W.E.T.T. certified contractor prior to use.
  • Never burn wrapping paper or boxes in the fireplace.
  • Always use a tight fitting screen or doors to stop stray sparks.
  • When cleaning out the fireplace, put ashes in a metal container outdoors.

DETECTION:

SMOKE ALARMS

  • Ensure smoke alarms are installed and working on all levels of your home.
  • Provincial law requires all homes to have working smoke alarms.
  • If you are experiencing false alarms from cooking or steam from showers, consider re-locating the alarm or change to newer technology such as photo-electric type detection or install alarms equipped with a pause feature.
  • Think about giving a gift that could save a life. A smoke alarm will show you care.
  • Each time you visit older relatives, take a moment to test their smoke alarms.

ESCAPE:

ESCAPE PLAN

  • Plan at least two ways out of every room, discuss and practice with your family.
  • Be sure everyone knows where to meet outside and never let anyone go back inside a burning home for any reason.

If you require further information on any fire safety, please call 905-637-9536. 

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