Winnipeg, MB - The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service would like share some helpful tips to help you minimize the risk of a fire in your home and make your holiday season enjoyable and safe.
Lights and Decorations
It’s always fun to deck the halls and trim the tree during the holiday season. But some lights and decorations can be dangerous if not used carefully. Here are some tips for ensuring your decorations stay decorative, not destructive:
- Always use Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved holiday lights.
- Check the bulbs, sockets, wires and plugs on your lights to ensure that nothing is cracked, broken or exposed. Replace any missing bulbs.
- Ensure extension cords are in good condition and do not overload electric outlets. Do not link more than three light strands unless the directions say it is safe to do so.
- Do not use lights on metallic trees. A faulty system could energize the tree and shock or electrocute anyone who comes into contact with it.
- Make sure to turn off all interior and exterior Christmas lights before going to sleep and whenever you are leaving your home.
- Use only non-flammable or flame-retardant decorations, and make sure to place decorations away from heat vents and fireplaces.
Christmas Trees
There’s nothing more festive than the scent of your Christmas tree throughout your home during the holiday season. But if you don’t take proper precautions, a natural Christmas tree can easily catch fire and rapidly fill a room with flames and deadly gases. Here are some tips for avoiding a dangerous tree situation this holiday season:
- Choose a tree that is fresh, meaning that its needles are green, hard to pull from its branches, and not easily broken. The tree trunk should be sticky to the touch. Avoid old trees, which are dried out and therefore fire hazards. Shake the tree trunk; if many needles fall off, the tree has probably dried out.
- Keep your tree away from all heat sources, such as fireplaces and heat vents. The heat dries out the tree, causing it to be easily ignited by heat, flames, or sparks.
- Keep cigarettes and candles far away from the tree.
- Do not leave the tree up for longer than two weeks and keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
- Do not dispose of tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove and instead use the City’s Let’s Chip In program.
- When a tree becomes dry (losing its needles quickly), discard it promptly.
Candles
Candles can be great for adding a festive feel to your home, but don’t forget to practice safe handling techniques when using them. Some tips for using candles cautiously are:
- Never leave lit candles unattended.
- Use approved non-combustible candleholders or bases, and place candleholders on a firm, non-slip surface.
- Avoid putting lit candles in a drafty area to prevent uneven burning and wax dripping.
- Extinguish a candle when it burns down to within two inches of its holder or base.
- Keep candles away from any flammable materials, including Christmas trees, decorations, curtains, or other combustible material like bedding or cushions.
- Keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
- Store candles in a cool, dark, dry place, and store candles flat to avoid warping.
- Refrigerating candles before burning makes them burn more slowly and evenly. Wrap candles in foil or plastic to prevent the wick from absorbing moisture.
- Keep wicks trimmed to half an inch and remove excess wax before storage. Long, crooked wicks can cause uneven burning and wax drippings
And don’t forget, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms make great gifts for those special people on your list.
For more information on fire prevention, visit City of Winnipeg - Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.