With the holiday season around the corner, the Canada Safety Council is reminding everyone to be extra cautious regarding fire safety in the home ahead of National Home Fire Safety Week.
The week runs from November 24-30 this year, and Canada Safety Council Manager of National Projects Lewis Smith says a major issue is how many open flames there are in the home around the holidays compared to other times of the year. So Smith says the Canada Safety Council wants people to be attentive of open flames and flammable holiday decor.
"Candles can be put on any flat surface, really, but where that interplay comes in with that holiday decor is where the challenge really comes in and it's important that any items that could become a problem are not put anywhere near an open flame, so it doesn't risk catching fire and turning the holidays into a tragedy," Smith explained.
Smith also says keeping a fire extinguisher and working fire and carbon monoxide alarms in the home are critical to mitigating potential fire disasters this holiday season. Ideally, an alarm should be active and working on every floor of a home, and one should ideally be outside of any sleeping area. Checking those alarms and testing them monthly is also critical.
There are other key things to watch out for, as well, around the holiday season when it comes to fire risk. Smith says when it comes to fireplaces, sparking is a threat, so use a screen, and there's safety tips to remember for real Christmas trees, too.
"They dry out fairly quickly and a dry item won't necessarily catch fire much quicker as one with more moisture in it. So the best advice there is first, to make sure the tree stays watered, and that it's properly watered, not just a little sprinkle either. Give it a good amount so that it's properly saturated at the roots," Smith pointed out.
Smith says to then safely dispose of Christmas trees when Christmas is over, and to not have them lingering and drying out in the home for ages afterwards. Smith adds on top of candles, fireplaces and flammable decor and trees, one thing to also be careful with is lights, and you should inspect yours before hanging them.
"Make sure that every bulb is properly secured in its base, is properly lit up and there's no breakage. Once that's done, it's just a matter of plugging them in before installing them. If there's any faults, if there's any arcing going on, obviously that's something where we want to replace the string of lights entirely," added Smith.
Tips to Safeguard Your Home from Fire Hazards
Place Candles Carefully Keep candles in non-flammable holders and away from combustible items including curtains and holiday decor. Extinguish them when leaving the room or before bed. You can also consider using battery-operated candles instead of traditional ones to reduce the risk while still retaining that ambient glow.
Practice Fireplace Safety Use a screen to contain sparks, and never leave a fire unattended. Ensure the fire is fully out before going to bed. It is also a good idea to arrange for annual chimney cleaning if using a wood-burning fireplace, as creosote buildup is a common cause of chimney fires.
Water Your Christmas Tree A dry Christmas tree can ignite in seconds. Water it daily to reduce flammability or consider an artificial tree if you’re unable to keep it hydrated. Place it away from heat sources like fireplaces and space heaters.
Inspect Holiday Lights Check for frayed wires or broken bulbs. Avoid overloading outlets, which can lead to electrical fires, and ensure outdoor lights are weatherproof and rated for outdoor use.
Keep an Accessible Fire Extinguisher Have a fire extinguisher near areas with open flames, such as the kitchen or fireplace. Familiarize yourself with its use and check it regularly.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Functional alarms are critical lifesaving tools. Test monthly, replacing batteries as needed and ensuring that one is installed on every floor and outside each sleeping area.
Supervise Children and Pets Kids and pets are often drawn to the allure of open flames, so it’s essential to supervise them closely. Establish a “kid-free zone” around fireplaces, stoves, and candles to prevent accidental contact.
More information can be found on National Home Fire Safety Week at CanadaSafetyCouncil.org.