Holiday Safety Tips to Make the Most of the Season

• There is no such thing as safe ice! Avoid activities on open waterways such as lakes and rivers if possible. Always monitor conditions as they can change in an instant.
• As you look to take down holiday decor, take the opportunity to inspect the condition of your decorations. Always check all of your holiday lights for damage, and throw out any that are broken or don’t work. Broken sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections are a fire hazard.
• Keep children and pets away from open flame such as bonfires and candles. When you leave home be sure to extinguish flame and blow out your candles.
• If you have a fireplace, wood stove, or other heating equipment in your home, be sure to keep it at least three feet away from anything that can burn. This includes pieces of fabric furniture and upholstered chairs to bedding and blankets used for decoration.
• When frying, grilling, or broiling food, stay in the kitchen and pay attention to what you’re doing. If you have to go outside, turn off the stove and keep an eye on the burner.
• Test your smoke alarms and inform guests of all exits in your home
• Ensure all entry/exits in your home are cleared from snow. Not only will this keep arriving or departing guests safe, it will also make for a safe exit in the event of a fire or other emergency requiring you to evacuate.
• Removing fireplace embers or ash is dangerous. You can place the embers in a metal container with a lid and cover them with water, or you can use a fireproof container. Don’t place them in paper bags or other combustible sacks that could easily catch on fire.
• Allow yourself additional time to commute to holiday gatherings, work, or other excursions. Additional traffic volume or questionable driving conditions can make for a dangerous drive.

Source: Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs