Winter Holiday Fire Safety

Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.

Candles

• Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid using candles where people go to sleep.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.
• Use candle holders that are sturdy, and won’t tip over easily. Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
• Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
• Don’t burn a candle all the way down. Put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
• Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.
• Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle. Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children’s reach, in a locked cabinet.
• Consider using flameless candles.

Christmas trees

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut two inches from the base of the trunk. Add water to the tree stand daily.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Do not block exits with the tree.
• Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections and always follow manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
• Get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home, garage, or outside placed against the home. Visit the Halton Region website for tree collection information.
• Bring outdoor lights inside after the holidays.

Decorations

• Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
• Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections and always follow manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

Entertaining

• Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles. Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking.
• Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials away from children.
• Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.
• Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

Lithium-ion batteries

This year, Oakville Fire is encouraging residents to ensure safety when using devices and decor powered by lithium-ion batteries. This could include electronic toys, smart phones, laptops, eBikes, eMobility devices and others. 

Follow these safety tips:

• Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch 
• Charge on a hard surface, with sufficient airflow around the device 
• Never charge on or near flammable items  
• Unplug devices when fully charged
• Check device cords for wear and tear, and replace if they are damaged 
• Use only the charging cord that came with the device
• Purchase and use devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory

For more details, visit the Government of Canada's Lithium-ion batteries page, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs’ webpage about Lithium-ion battery concerns and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council’s Charged for Life page.