Make it a Fire-Safe December to Remember!

Holiday Safety Tips:

Cut your own tree or buy a fresh one that is not shredding needles.
Place your tree in a sturdy, non-tip stand well away from fireplaces, exits, and heat sources.
Make sure the tree always has water – check the water level daily

To prevent cooking fires, you must be alert. Avoid cooking when tired or when consuming alcohol, drugs or medicine that makes you drowsy.
Keep anything that burns, oven mitts, cooking utensils, dish cloths, paper towels and potholder a safe distance from the stove.
Wear short sleeves or roll up your sleeves while cooking.

Never smoke in bed.
Do not carelessly toss cigarette butts off balconies.
Do not extinguish cigarettes in plant pots, which may contain a mixture of peat moss, shredded wood and bark that can easily ignite.
Before you dispose of butts and ashes, make sure they are out. Put them in water or sand.
Empty ashes into a metal container, not the garbage can and put it outside.
Avoid smoking when drowsy or under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol is a factor in many smoking-related fires.

Check all sets of lights before decorating. Discard any sets that are frayed or damaged.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to be connected.
Lights, cords and decorations are rated for either indoor or outdoor use. Never use indoor rated items outdoors!
Turn off and unplug all lights and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

Have 2 ways out of every room if possible.
Have a meeting place in front of the home, and make sure guests or the babysitter know where the meeting place is.
Go over the plan with everyone in your home.
Identify people who may need assistance in an emergency.
Practice your home escape plan at least twice a year with your family.

Keep portable heaters at least 1 metre (3 Feet) away from anything that can burn.
Unplug space heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.
Use glass doors or a metal screen on fireplaces.

Candles need adult supervision.
Use sturdy, safe candle holders.
Keep candles at least 30 centimetres (12 inches) away from anything that can burn.
Before leaving the room or going to bed, blow out candles.