Have yourself a fire safe holiday season

Smiles, comfort and joy should be the only thing lighting up your festivities this year! To ensure you have a safe and happy holiday, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service is sharing some important fire safety reminders.

Don't let your stockings go up in smoke

Even though stockings hung from the mantel look festive, don't leave them there when the fireplace is on. Never burn gift wrappings, boxes, cartons or other types of packaging in the fireplace. These items burn rapidly and generate a lot of heat.

Christmas tree care

If you have a natural or organic Christmas tree at home, always keep the base of the trunk in water - a dry tree is a fire hazard. Watch this videoto see how quickly a Christmas tree can go up in flames! Keep plants and real and artificial trees away from any ignition source, such as a fireplace, heaters or candles. Indoor LED lights are the safest option for your Christmas tree, but make sure to check the cords of your decorative lights closely - discard any sets that are frayed or damaged as they can pose a safety issue. Turn them off and unplug them when they're not in use.

Swap real candles for flameless ones

If lighting candles, always use non-flammable candle holders. Place candles where they will not be knocked over, away from Christmas trees or other festive décor. Paper decorations, tinsel, tablecloths and napkins can be a fire hazard. Never leave candles unattended and keep them out of reach of children and pets. Better yet, use battery-powered, flameless candles instead.

Stay in the kitchen when cooking

Avoid distractions and focus on the task in front of you. Keep flammable items - like oven mitts, cooking utensils, dish cloths, paper towels, cooking oil and spices - a safe distance from the stove and avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing as it can catch on fire. Keep young children and pets away from the stove and turn it off if you must step away. Ensure a proper-fitting pot lid is nearby to smother flames in the event of a fire and keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Finally, remove all items from the stovetop when you're finished cooking.

Have working smoke alarms and a home escape plan

Smoke alarms save lives - you could have less than two minutes to evacuate safely once a fire starts. That's why it's important to have working smoke alarms to give you early warning, and a home escape plan to get everyone outside quickly. Test your smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button. Make sure everyone in your household knows the different sounds your smoke alarm makes.

For more information and holiday fire safety tips, visit vaughan.ca/fire.

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