Transportation and Transit
Each year, preventable fires during the holiday season injure British Columbians and cause thousands of dollars in property damage.
Because many fires are preventable, the Office of the Fire Commissioner and Emergency Management BC offer some basic fire safety tips so that British Columbians can enjoy a fire-safe holiday season.
Candle safety and holiday decorating
- Use non-combustible containers for tea lights and votive candles. Battery-operated candles are an excellent alternative.
- Ensure that all candles are extinguished before going to bed or if they will be left unattended.
- Keep combustibles, such as trees, wrapping paper and decorations, away from heat sources.
- Ensure your real tree stays fresh by watering it often. Consider a fire-resistant artificial tree as an alternative.
- Ensure candle holders are placed on a stable surface and never leave lit candles unattended.
- Only use lights which have been tested and labelled by a certified testing laboratory.
- Always turn incandescent decorative lights for real trees off before leaving home or going to sleep. Certified timers can be used to preset ‘on’ and ‘off’ times.
- Ensure electrical outlets are not overloaded with various devices.
- When using gas fireplaces with young children present, consider providing a barrier to prevent physical contact as the glass front can reach over 300 degrees Celsius and takes 45 minutes to cool off.
- Be sure that cooking is never left unattended.
Smoke alarms and fire escape planning
- Ensure that working smoke alarms are provided on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area.
- Test and clean smoke alarms regularly and change batteries at least twice a year.
- Develop a fire escape plan, practise it regularly and have at least two ways out of your home.
Learn More:
Holiday Fire Safety website:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/fire-safety/public-education/holiday-fire-safety
EMBC works year-round with local governments to prepare for emergencies. For more information on how you and your family can get prepared, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC
How to build an emergency kit: http://ow.ly/XsJC307cqLI
Household preparedness guide: http://ow.ly/7FqY307cqXV
Household emergency plan: http://ow.ly/TSqL307cr4o
More detailed preparedness and safety information on:
Floods: http://ow.ly/5E2T307crEv
Power Outages: http://ow.ly/5GoW307crNW
Landslides: http://ow.ly/CJZH307cs1a
Severe Weather: http://ow.ly/bJ99307cs9w
For tips on how to stay safe, follow Emergency Management BC on Twitter: @EmergencyInfoBC (twitter.com) and PreparedBC: @PreparedBC (twitter.com)
NFPA Project Holiday: http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/wildfire-and-seasonal-fires/winter-holiday-safety
Electrical Safety Foundation: http://www.esfi.org/resource/in-the-right-light-decorate-your-home-safely-during-the-holidays-567
Before you head out on the roads this winter, visit Drive BC at: www.drivebc.ca and remember to “Shift into Winter.” For more details: http://ow.ly/SOCon
Contact the Office of the Fire Commissioner: http://ow.ly/iEwY3075Izk
Christmas tree burn test: Dry vs. hydrated: http://youtu.be/fbwkZe133o8
