Have a fire-safe home for the holidays
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Tips from Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service to enjoy the festive season safely
Don’t let the Grinch or a fire get in the way of carving your prime rib or glazed ham! To help you have a safe and happy holiday, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) is reminding residents of some important holiday fire-safety tips.
Don’t let the Grinch or a fire get in the way of carving your prime rib or glazed ham! To help you have a safe and happy holiday, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) is reminding residents of some important holiday fire-safety tips.
When cooking your holiday meal, follow these tips from VFRS 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 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 packing 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.
Christmas trees are the star of the show, but not if they pose a fire hazard. If you’re using a real tree, keep the base of the trunk in water at all times. Keep your tree away from any ignition source such as the fireplace, heaters or candles. Check the cords of your Christmas tree 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 down, 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 in a room unattended and be sure to keep them out of reach of children and pets. Better yet, use battery-powered flameless candles instead.
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