Christmas is the time to be merry and bright, with lights on Christmas trees and houses, decorations, and lots of holiday baking and cooking. However, in the run-up to the season the Canada Safety Council is warning people of some of the increased fire dangers at Christmas, and giving some tips on staying safe.
“Home fires are a silent threat that can devastate lives in an instant,” says Gareth Jones, president and CEO of the Canada Safety Council. “Practising fire safety mindfully, with an eye toward prevention over reaction, we can all do our part in keeping our homes and loved ones safe.”
It is a well-established trend that home fires are more frequent during the winter months. The U.S.-based National Fire Protection Association indicates that every year in the States, most fires occur between Dec. 15 and Dec. 31, while the Red Cross says that in Canada fires are most likely to occur between December and March.
This heightened exposure to fire hazards during colder months unsurprisingly leads to more fatalities. According to Statistics Canada, between 2011 and 2020 the four highest average incidents of accidental fire-related fatalities by month occurred in January (210), March (195), February (180), and December (165). Additionally, residential properties accounted for 92 per cent of all unintentional fire-related fatalities in that same time period.
Here are a few areas that are major culprits when it comes to fires in the home during the Christmas season, and some tips on how to stay safe during the holiday season and beyond.
Christmas trees: Whether you choose a real tree or an artificial one, Christmas trees can pose a significant fire hazard. Real trees can dry out, making them highly flammable. Artificial trees, particularly those with built-in wiring, can also present electrical fire risks.
Whatever type of tree you have, keep it away from heat sources, including radiators, baseboard heaters, space heaters, and fireplaces. Ensure that real trees are kept watered on a regular basis, and check artificial trees for any damage to wiring or insulation.
Decorative lights: Strings of brightly-coloured lights are lovely, but light strings and sets can overheat, causing electrical fires, especially if they are used improperly or if the lights are old and damaged.
Inspect light strings for damage, and look for frayed cords, exposed wires, or broken sockets. If a light string is damaged, dispose of it responsibly and invest in a new one. Don’t overload outlets or extension cords with too many lights: in many homes, a single circuit can be used for a whole room. Unplug lights — indoor and outdoor — when you are leaving the house for an extended period of time or when you go to bed, or have them on a timer.
Candles: They can look pretty, and contribute to a festive atmosphere, but candles can be a major fire hazard if they are left unattended or placed too close to flammable objects.
Never leave candles unattended, and make sure they are kept well out of the reach of children and pets. Place candles on stable, non-flammable surfaces that are away from curtains, decorations, and paper products. Consider using battery-operated LED candles, which carry a lower fire risk, as an alternative to regular candles.
Cooking and baking: Preparing holiday meals often includes an increased use of stovetops, ovens, and other kitchen appliances, all of which can lead to kitchen fires if they are not carefully managed.
Never leave cooking or baking unattended, and use timers as reminders to check your dishes when they’re done. Keep flammable items, like dish towels and oven mitts, away from heat sources, and ensure that your cooking area is well-ventilated. Turn the handles of pots and pans away from the front of the stovetop, to prevent them accidentally getting knocked over, and keep pets and small children out of the kitchen while you’re cooking.
Fire prevention: When it comes to minimizing the risks of fire, it’s wise to be prepared. Make sure you have at least one working smoke detector on each floor of your house (ideally, one smoke detector should be placed in the hallway near the kitchen). Have a fire extinguisher on hand, but know which types of fires it can (and can’t) be used on.
