Fire prevention is the perfect gift

Keep fire safety top of mind while enjoying the holidays with family and friends, writes Vaughan Fire Chief Deryn Rizzi

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 12, 2019
Deryn Rizzi

What is your favourite thing about the holiday season? Mine is spending time laughing and sharing stories with the people I care about. I am so thankful for my friends and family every day of the year, but especially during the holidays. I look forward to winter and the promise of snow, but as a fire safety professional, I dread this time of year because as the temperatures drop, the number of fires inevitably begin to rise. With all the lights, trees, candles and goodies, it can be easy to get distracted at this time of year, and tragedy can strike when we let our guard down. As you decorate your home and celebrate your family’s traditions, please keep fire safety in mind.

When decorating a Christmas tree:

• Place your tree away from fireplaces, radiators, TV sets and other sources of heat.

• If you decorate a real tree, use a tree stand that holds plenty of water, and check and replenish the water daily.

• Never use candles on or near a Christmas tree and avoid the use of combustible decorations.

When putting up lights around your home:

• Inspect decorative lights every year before using them. Replace them if wiring is frayed or worn, or if the lights are old.

• Turn off Christmas tree lights when you leave your home and before you go to bed at night.

• Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

When lighting candles:

• Use a sturdy holder so it can’t be tipped over.

• Keep candles away from anything that can burn and always blow them out before leaving the room.

• Keep candles away from children and pets, and keep them out of bedrooms.

There are several factors that make this time of year the perfect storm of fire risk. Did you know the biggest fire risks in December are unattended cooking and careless smoking? We all know how easy it can be to get preoccupied with guests and holiday preparations, which is why the dangers of unattended cooking is my big fire safety message to the readers. It’s so important to stay in the kitchen when cooking. You should also keep a lid nearby so you can cover a pot if it catches fire. If you or someone in your home smokes, use deep ashtrays and fully extinguish cigarettes.

Help keep your family safe by installing smoke alarms on every level of your home and carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas. Be sure to test each alarm every month. You should also create and practise a home escape plan so everyone knows what to do when the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms sound. Make fire prevention a priority and give the gift that truly keeps on giving.

On behalf of Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service, I would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday season.