Christmas Holiday Safety

Days and weeks before Christmas are a busy time of year. Shopping, Christmas concerts, decorating our homes, visiting friends and relatives or even travelling can preoccupy our minds and cause us to miss some important fire safety tips which may put our families at risk of injury from fire.

For many of us the main focal point of Christmas is a live Christmas tree. Unfortunately, the beautifully decorated Christmas tree is also one of the leading causes of fire during this seasonal celebration.

Mayor Rick Bonnette says, “Taking additional time to exercise some extra care and precaution with your Christmas tree can add to a safe and enjoyable holiday for everybody”.

Mayor Bonnette offers the following Christmas tree safety tips:

1. Leave the tree outside until you’re ready to decorate.
2. Keep the tree away from floor heaters, fireplaces, or other sources of heat.
3. Use only CSA-Listed lights for indoor use, and no more than 3 strands linked together.
4. Use miniature lights which have cool-burning bulbs.
5. Examine light strings before installing them and discard any worn ones.
6. Turn off the Christmas lights when you go to bed or when leaving your home.
7. Cut the stump approximately 21/2 – 3” from the bottom on a diagonal angle before putting in the stand.
8. Check the tree daily and add water as necessary.

Fire Chief Brent Marshall would also like to add, “Don’t let a fire tragedy spoil your holiday season. Protect your home and family with working smoke alarms on every level of your home. Remember, smoke alarms save lives”.

Support Our Sponsors