Give the gift of fire safety
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Tips from Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service to enjoy the
festive season safely
Chestnuts may be
roasting on an open fire, but make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy! To
help you have a safe and happy holiday, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) is
reminding residents of some important fire-safety tips.
When cooking your holiday meal, follow these tips to ensure it goes off without a hitch:
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking. Turn off the stove if you must step away and remove all items from the stovetop when cooking is done.
- Avoid distractions and focus on the task in front of you.
- Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing while cooking as it can catch on fire.
- Keep flammable items – oven mitts, cooking utensils, dish cloths, paper towels and potholders – a safe distance from the stove.
- Keep young kids and pets away from the stove and turn pot handles away from the stove's edge to avoid them being accidentally knocked off.
- Ensure a proper-fitting pot lid is nearby to smother flames in the event of a fire.
- Keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
- Have a working smoke alarm and a home escape plan just in case an incident occurs.
Never burn gift wrappings, boxes, cartons or other types of
packaging in the fireplace. They burn rapidly and generate a lot of heat. Even
though stockings hung from the mantel look festive, do not leave them there
when the fireplace is in use.
If you’re using a real Christmas tree, keep the base of the
trunk in water at all times – a dry tree is a fire hazard. Keep real and
artificial trees away from any ignition source such as a fireplace, heaters or
candles. Check the cords of your decorative lights closely – discard any sets
that are frayed or damaged as they can pose a safety issue.
Lastly, if lighting candles, always use non-flammable
candle holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked over, away
from Christmas trees and other festive decorations in the surrounding area – paper
decorations, tablecloths and napkins can be a fire hazard. Never leave candles
unattended and be sure to keep them out of reach of children and pets. Better
yet, use battery-powered flameless candles instead.