The 12 Days of

Holiday Fire Safety

The 12 Days of

Holiday Fire Safety

Water fresh trees daily.

Check all sets of lights before decorating.

Make sure you have working smoke alarms

Make sure you have working carbonmonoxide alarms. Remember, they wear out,so replace them every 7-10 years dependingon the manufacturer.

Make sure everyone knows how to get outsafely if a fire occurs.

Use extension cords wisely.

Remember, they wear out, so replace themevery 10 years.

It's time to trim thatChristmas tree, and if you're using a real tree, buya fresh tree and keep the base of the trunk in waterat all times. Keep your tree away from any ignitionsource such as the fireplace, heaters or candles.

Before you put those lights on the tree or aroundthe front window check the cords closely. Discardany sets that are frayed or damaged.

With family and friends spendingextra time at your home over the holidays, you'llwant everyone to be safe. It's the law to have oneworking smoke alarm on every storey of yourhome and outside all sleeping areas.

Carbon monoxide is aninvisible, odourless gas that can quickly kill you.Installing CSA-approved carbon monoxidealarms in your home

Develop and practise ahome fire escape plan with all members of thehousehold and make sure someone helps youngchildren, older adults or anyone else that mayneed assistance to evacuate. Once outside, stayoutside and call 911 from a cell phone orneighbours house.

People often useextension cords for that extra set of lights or thedancing Santa in the corner. Extension cordsshould be used only as a temporary connection.Make sure cords never go under rugs as this cancause damage to the cord and cause a fire.

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Give space heaters space.

When you go out, blow out!

Keep matches and lighters out of the sight andreach of children.

Watch what you heat!

Encourage smokers to smoke outside.

There's more to responsible drinking thantaking a cab home.

If you are using spaceheaters to help take the chill off, remember to keepthem at least one metre (3 feet) away from anythingthat can burn such as curtains, upholstery, orholiday decorations.

Candles can set theperfect mood for a holiday celebration, butremember to always blow out candles beforeleaving the room or going to bed. Keep lit candlessafely away from children and pets and anythingthat can burn, such as curtains, upholstery, orholiday decorations.

People often keep matches andlighters handy to light holiday candles. But matchesand lighters can be deadly in the hands of children.If you smoke, have only one lighter or book ofmatches and keep them with you at all times.

The holiday season is oneof the busiest times of the year, which means it'seasy to get distracted from what we are doing.Cooking fires most commonly occur when cookingis left unattended. Always stay in the kitchen whencooking – especially if using oil or hightemperatures. If a pot catches fire, carefully slide atight-fitting lid over the pot to smother the flamesand then turn off the heat.

Carelesssmoking is the leading cause of fatal fires. If you doallow smoking indoors use large, deep ashtraysthat can't be knocked over and make sure cigarettebutts are properly extinguished.

With all the festive cheer thistime of year, keep a close eye on anyone attemptingto cook or smoke while under the influence ofalcohol. Alcohol is all too often a common factor inmany fatal fires.

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Materials developed for public use by the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal.