Holiday Fire Safety Tips

• Use outdoor-rated LED lights and hang with nail-free clips to prevent wire damage.
• Check every strand for frayed wires, broken bulbs, or loose connections before use. Discard damaged sets immediately.
• Consider switching to all LED lights to avoid over heating and reduce energy use.
• Only use certified lights and timers (look for CSA, ULC, or ETL marks).
• Never leave lights on overnight or when you’re away from home, to avoid overheating.

• Buy a fresh tree and always keep the base of the trunk in water.
• Use a sturdy tree stand that holds enough water for daily hydration.
• Lit candles should never be placed on or near the Christmas tree.
• Falling needles = a dried-out tree and potential fire.
• Water your tree daily to prevent it from becoming a fire hazard.
• Keep heat sources away from the tree including furnace vents, radiators, space heaters, and non-LED lights.

• Use flameless candles. 
• Keep candles away from pets and children. 
• Put candles in sturdy containers.
• Always blow out when you leave the room.

• Most fatal fires occur during the winter months from November to January.
• When seconds matter, a working smoke alarm is the gift of time in the event of a fire.
• An alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas, tested monthly, and batteries replaced annually, (if the alarm chirps- you’ve waited to long) is the best gift you’ll give your family this season.

• Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odourless, and deadly gas.
• Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms without the fever.
• Get an annual inspection of all fuel-burning appliances in your home and ensure chimneys and vents are not blocked.
• Only a CO alarm can alert you to a potential CO emergency with four beeps and is the best way to protect your family from The Silent Killer.
• Install outside of all bedrooms, and starting January 1, 2026, the Ontario Fire Code will be updated with new rules for carbon monoxide alarms. Learn more at Ontario.ca/CarbonMonoxide.

• Extension cords should be used only as a temporary connection.
• If permanent wiring is required, have additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician.
• Extension cords should not be linked together—instead, use an extension cord that is long enough to do the job.
• Don’t overload a circuit, and never run cords under rugs or across doorways where they can be damaged or cause tripping.
• Inspect cords for damage before use and discard frayed or cracked cords.

• Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires.
• It’s easy to get distracted or called away from the kitchen with children around so always turn the stove off when you leave the room.
• Have a properly fitted lid ready to slide over your pot or pan in case of fire.
• Never leave cooking unattended - stand by the pan and watch what you heat.
• Keep children and pets away from the stove.
• Make sure electrical cords are not dangling from countertops, where they could be pulled by small children.
• Cool a burn by running cool water over the wound for three to five minutes. If the burn is severe, seek medical attention.

• Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire family.
• In case a fire starts, everyone must know two ways out of every room, if possible.
• Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone else that may need assistance.
• Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree or a lamp post, where everyone can be accounted for.
• If caught in smoke, get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit.
• Call 9-1-1 only once you’ve exited the home.
• Once out, stay out. Never re-enter a burning building. 
• Review and update your plan annually.

• Go slow in the kitchen and avoid being a statistic.
• The leading cause of home fires in Ontario is cooking-related, mostly caused when the stove is left unattended.
• Stand by your pan when cooking – never leave your cooking unattended.
• Keep a properly fitted lid nearby to slide over top in event of fire.
• Be mindful when cooking and never leave the kitchen while using a stove. 
• Use a timer to remind yourself when food is cooking.

• Keep at least one metre (three feet) distance between your heat source and combustibles, like paper, furniture and fabrics.
• Have all chimneys cleaned and inspected every year.
• Have your heating system inspected annually by a qualified service technician.
• Install a CO alarm to alert you to the presence of deadly carbon monoxide gas.
• Protect your home from sparks and use a fire screen around the fireplace. Allow the ashes from your woodstove or fireplace to cool before emptying them into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep the container outside. 
• Watch for smoke coming into a room with a fireplace as this could indicate a blockage in the chimney or a faulty damper control mechanism.

• Careless smoking is Ontario’s number one cause of fatal fires.
• Have all smoking done outside using deep, sturdy ashtrays.
• Never flick your butt – a lit butt might be the difference between a holiday to remember and a holiday you’ll never forget.

• There’s a good chance gifts exchanged this season have lithium-ion batteries, which may pose a fire risk.

Buy Safely

• Choose Certified Products: Only purchase batteries, devices, and chargers that are certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (e.g., CSA, ULC, or ETL). Look for the certification mark.
• Avoid Counterfeit/Off-Brand Items: Counterfeit, generic, or off-brand chargers and batteries may not meet safety standards and pose a higher risk of fire. Use the original equipment or manufacturer-approved replacements. 

Charge Safely

• Use Correct Chargers: Always use the charger that came with the device, or one that is a certified, compatible replacement from the original manufacturer or a trusted source. Don't mix and match
• Monitor and Unplug: Do not overcharge—unplug the device or remove the battery once it is fully charged. Avoid leaving devices plugged in overnight or unattended for long periods.
• Charge on a Safe Surface: Charge on a hard, flat, stable surface away from anything that can easily catch fire (like clothing, bedding, or paper). Never charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch, as soft surfaces can trap heat.
• Maintain Room Temperature: Charge devices and batteries at room temperature. Avoid extreme heat or cold.

Handle and Store Safely

• Inspect for Damage: Stop using a battery immediately if you notice signs of damage or malfunction. These signs include
  • Swelling, bulging, or change in shape.
  • Excessive heat.
  • Unusual odors (smells strange)
  • Popping or hissing sounds.
  • Leaking or change in color.
• Handle with Care: Do not crush, puncture, disassemble, or modify batteries. Keep them away from metal objects that could cause a short circuit.
• Store Properly: Store spare batteries at room temperature and away from flammable materials, direct sunlight, and out of the reach of children. For long-term storage, a charge level around 50% is generally recommended.

Recycle Safely

• Do Not Trash: Never put lithium-ion batteries or battery-powered devices in household garbage or regular recycling bins. They can start fires during collection or at waste facilities.
• Use Designated Locations: Take them to a designated battery recycling centre or household hazardous waste facility for proper disposal.