Protect Your Family this Holiday Season by Fireproofing your Home.
‘Tis the season to be festive with candles aglow, trees brimming with blinking lights and hearths alive with open fire. A perfect time to refresh your family with responsible fire safety tips.
Did you know the top five causes of fires in December are from heating equipment, unattended cooking, electrical distribution equipment, cigarettes, and appliances? Did you also know that last December, there were 64 injuries and 14 fatalities related to fires in the province?
The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management offers simple tips to enjoy a fire-safe holiday season:
• Install and test smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas of your home. Don’t forget about carbon monoxide alarms if you have a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage.
• Blow out candles before leaving the house.
• Make sure everyone knows two ways out of your home. Develop and practise a home escape plan with family and holiday guests.
• Ensure woodstoves/fireplaces/chimneys are maintained and in good working order.
• Keep Christmas trees away from ignition sources.
• Stay in the kitchen while cooking — especially if using oil or high temperatures.
• Designate a meeting place outside your home, such as a tree or a lamp post, where everyone can be accounted for.
• In case of fire, call the fire department from outside the home, from a cell phone or neighbour’s home.
Enjoy this time of year with all the trimmings, but please keep in mind these safety tips to ensure you and your family have a SAFE holiday season. Do a favor to your family and friends and pass this on
For tips on how to build a budget, maintain good personal finances and manage debt, please visit our finance blog at www.occa.ca/blog. A new article is posted each week!.
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