Staying safe during the holidays

November 13, 2015 · 0 Comments

During the holiday season the fireplace in a home is not only a source of warmth but also a centrepiece for gatherings with family and friends. Like any home appliance it should be safe, properly maintained, and good for the environment inside and out. Ensure the area around the fireplace is free of debris. Debris like holiday wrapping paper can cause a fire if they are too close to the fireplace.
“We often see more home fires during the winter months due to heating equipment and appliances,” said Shelburne Fire Chief Brad Lemaich. “People need to pay close attention to potential fire hazards such as fireplaces, furnaces, chimneys and vents, and space heaters.”
There are some simple things people can do to stay fire safe during the colder months:
• Have all fuel-burning appliances inspected annually by a registered fuel contractor. Go to COSafety.ca to find a contractor near you.
• Keep chimneys and intake/exhaust vents for furnaces and heating appliances free of debris, ice and snow accumulations to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) build-up from inefficient combustion.
• Burn dry, well-seasoned wood in fireplaces and woodstoves to reduce the risk of excessive creosote build-up in chimneys.
• Allow ashes from your fireplace or woodstove to cool before emptying them into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep the container outside.
• Keep space heaters at least one metre (3 feet) away from anything that can burn, including curtains, upholstery and clothing.
• Replace worn or damaged electrical wires and connections on vehicles and extension cords and use the proper gauge extension cord for vehicle block heaters.
• Consider using approved timers for vehicle block heaters rather than leaving heaters on all night.
• Ensure that vehicles are not left running inside any garage or building.
• Ensure there is a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas of your home.
• Install CO alarms to alert you to the presence of this deadly gas.
Cooking often accompanies the holiday season as families prepare special meals to mark the occasion. Be sure never to leave your cooking unattended, as this is the leading cause of kitchen fires. Use a timer to act as a reminder that the oven is on.
Should fire catch, never turn on the overhead fan as it could spread the flames. Immediately call the fire department and leave your home if the fire can’t be put out quickly.
Ensure your home is safe from fire this holiday season by following these tips:
• If you are buying a real Christmas tree, be cautioned that dry trees are a fire hazard. Check that the tree is fresh by tapping it on the ground. If needles fall, it is an indicator that the tree is too dry.
• Trees, artificial or real should be kept away from heat sources including heat registers, fireplaces and floor heaters.
• When leaving your home, even for a short period of time, be sure to unplug lights.
The Shelburne and District Fire Department reminds everyone that the Ontario Fire Code requires smoke alarms to be installed on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide alarms are required outside all sleeping areas if the home has a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage.
For more information about smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, or fire safety, contact The Shelburne and District Fire Department at 519 925-5111.