Stay Safe This Christmas Season

The Christmas season is a time for family, celebration, and gathering. It also brings an increased risk of home fires. Statistics show that December through February consistently see the highest number of residential fires each year, often linked to portable heaters, cooking, and seasonal decorations.
 
To help residents enjoy a safe and worry-free holiday, Port Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services shares the following essential fire-safety reminders.
 
Safe Use of Space Heaters

• Choose heaters with a CSA or ULC approved label.
• Keep the heater at least one metre (three feet) away from anything that could catch fire including drapes, clothing, paper, furniture, people, and pets.
• Always turn off and unplug the heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.

Christmas Decoration Safety

• Ensure your real tree remains green and hydrated. Cut the base, place it in water immediately, and check the water level daily. Never let the stand go dry.
• Place trees at least one metre away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, candles, heating vents, and lights.
• Use only flame-resistant or flame-retardant decorations.
• Extinguish all candles before leaving a room or going to bed and supervise children around open flames at all times.
• Use only CSA-approved outdoor lights that are designed for exterior use. Inspect light strings for broken bulbs, loose connections, or frayed wires before installing.
• Do not hang decorations, lights, or clothing from sprinkler heads. Maintain a minimum clearance of 45 cm (18 inches) around sprinklers to ensure proper operation.
• Use approved clips to hang lights; never use staples, which can damage electrical cords.
• Unplug decorative lighting when not in use or overnight to reduce the risk of electrical fires.

Fire-Safe Holiday Cooking

• Never leave cooking unattended and closely supervise children in the kitchen.
• Stay in the kitchen when frying and keep a close watch on food.
• Keep combustible items such as towels, packaging, oven mitts, and wooden utensils away from the stove.
• Never pour water on a grease or oil fire. Instead, carefully cover the pot or pan with a lid or baking sheet and turn off the heat. Do not move the container while it is hot.
• If a fire occurs inside the oven, keep the door closed and turn off the heat.

For more information on holiday safety, visit portcoquitlam.ca/fire or call 604-927-5466.