Old man winter may be upon us, but if any of your holiday guests are smokers, you are encouraged to ask them to smoke outside.
Central York Fire Services says that smoking accounts for 30 per cent of all home fire deaths.
“Careless smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires,” says the department serving Newmarket and Aurora. “Encourage smokers to smoke outside and use large, deep ashtrays that can’t be knocked over. Make sure cigarette butts are property extinguished.”
As the holidays are in full swing, the local fire service reminds everyone to take extra precautions.
During the holidays, cooking fires account for 19 per cent of all home fires. Other common fire hazards this season include festive lights, Christmas trees and decorations and candles.
“People have to be aware of what they’re doing in their surroundings. I know it’s great for ambiance to have candles, but be aware if there are kids, pets or combustible materials near the candles, or you’re setting yourself up for an issue,” Fire Chief Ian Laing told NewmarketToday in a previous interview. “You take on extra risk around this time of year because more people are cooking, entertaining and lighting candles to bring the atmosphere in.”
Keep these practical tips in mind to enjoy a fire-safe holiday:
- Unplug festive lights before going to bed and limit the number of electrical cords you have plugged into power strips and multi-outlet converters.
- Christmas trees should be as fresh as possible and watered often. The base of the tree trunk should be immersed in water at all times.
- Try to avoid placing decorations or upholstered items close to fireplaces, wood-burning stoves or space heaters. Due to the high amount of heat generated by these appliances, decorations can easily catch fire if left unattended.
- Have a home escape plan ready and ensure your family and any visiting guests know where to exit and meet upon evacuation.
- In the event of an emergency, make sure you have a 72-hour emergency kit that includes water, non-perishable food items, flashlights and a first aid kit
- Keep matches and lighters out of the sight and reach of children.
- Use extension cords wisely.
- Go flameless. But if you do light candles, never leave them burning unattended, and always snuff them out before leaving the room or going to bed.
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are in proper working condition.
