Seasonal fire prevention

Holiday fire prevention tips

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  Holiday decorating

  Follow a few simple tips to ensure a happy and fire safe holiday season. 

  • Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
  • Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, not both.
  • Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturers instructions for number of light strands to connect. 
  • Use clips, not nails to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
  • Keep decorations clear from windows and doors.
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  Holiday entertaining

  A few reminders to keep you and your guests’ fire safe during the holidays:

  • Test all your smoke and CO alarms to keep yourself and your guests safe.
  • Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
  • Keep matches and lighters out of reach from children.
  • Stay in the kitchen when cooking.
  • Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind them to properly dispose of their smoking materials in a deep sturdy ashtray, douse with sand or water, and do not dispose of in potted plants or mulch.
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  Holiday cooking

  Cooking is a main cause of fire in Vancouver.

  Simple tips to keep your home safe this holiday season:

  • "Cook with caution” Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
  • If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels. or curtains — away from your stovetop.
  • Never use water on a grease fire. If you have a small (grease) cooking fire, on the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
  • If you have any doubt…just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
  • Call 9-1-1 from outside the home.
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  Tree safety

  As you deck the halls this holiday season, be fire smart. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly. 

  • 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. 
  • Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents, or lights. 
  • Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit. 
  • Add water to the tree stand daily. 
  • Use lights that are lighted by a qualified testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use. 
  • Replace any string lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturers instructions for number of light strands to connect. 
  • Always turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.