London Fire
Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home Smoke Alarms • Carbon Monoxide • Exit Drills • Fire Stations |
With the holiday season comes festive lights and candles. Also, there are parties and get-togethers where people sometimes drink and smoke. That means heightened risk for fires and reason to be extra cautious. Also, because it's home heating season there are other hazards in the house to be aware of.
Costumes and decorations should be flame retardant. If you allow smoking in the house, provide smokers with large, deep, non-tip ashtrays. Keep a close eye on anybody who is drinking and smoking. Empty ashtrays often, wetting their contents before dumping them out. Keep matches and lighters out of the hands of children. After the party is over, check cushions and other furniture for smoldering butts.
Make sure any lights that you use have CSA or similar approval. Lights with cracked or frayed cords should be discarded. Unplug all decorative lights before leaving home or going to bed. Use small, pencil thin lights, which don't get hot like larger ones do. Don't use lights on a metal tree. In the case of candles, use non-tip holders. The safest tend to be those in jars where the flame is below the point where the lid fits on. Keep candles away from flammables, such as Christmas presents and decorations. Never leave candles unattended!
If you prefer a real tree, make sure it is fresh when you put it up. Install the tree securely to a stand that won't tip over. Keep the tree away from fireplaces, heat sources and exits. Ensure that the tree has a constant supply of water. If the tree dries out, it can be an extreme fire hazard. Remove it and store it away from the house until it can be disposed of. Artificial trees should be made of fire retardant materials.
Have your heating system and chimney inspected each year, at the start of heating season. Carry out any required servicing. If you use space heaters, remember they should be at least one metre (3 feet) from anything that can burn. Fireplace fires should be kept small. Use a screen to prevent sparks from getting out. Never burn trash or paper in the fireplace. Put ashes in a metal container. Do not store them indoors.
