Fire safety tips to keep in mind over the holidays

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It is that time of year again when your holiday decorations are going up. However, with the lights and trees comes a safety warning from local first responders.

 

Ashley Gocken with First Alert Canada explains the warning applies to every room in the house. “It’s really important that when you are putting up decorations, you make sure that they’re flame resistant. And it’s also important you keep candles that are lit away from decorations and other things so they can’t burn.”

She adds it’s also important to have a planned escape route, especially if you have people staying with you over the holidays. “It’s really important to keep fire safety in mind during this time. It’s important that you install the recommended placement in your home for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms and also remember that some lights are only for indoor use and some are for outdoor use.”

Tips from Vancouver Fire

  • Use decorations with LED lights instead of incandescent bulbs: they use less power, but also generate much less heat
  • Use ULC/CSA rated extension cords that are appropriate for the load, and never run cords under carpets or anywhere the insulation could be damaged
  • Don’t overload circuits: plug as few decorations into one outlet as possible, and always use CSA rated power distribution devices
  • Never leave decorations or lights on while you’re away or asleep
  • Keep live trees well-watered, and keep ignition sources away from branches
  • Use caution when climbing ladders or standing on wet roofs
  • The holidays can mean extra cooking, so be careful in the kitchen: don’t leave cooking unattended, and have an extinguisher in the kitchen

 

In the City of Vancouver, you can have your home checked for common safety issues for free and crews will also install a smoke alarm if you need it.

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