With the winter holidays almost upon us, the Office of the Fire Commissioner and Emergency Management BC are offering some fire safety advice to help ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season for all British Columbians.

Decorating

• Keep combustibles, such as trees, wrapping paper and decorations away from heat sources.
• Ensure your live tree stays fresh by watering it often, and dispose of it safely when it is dry.
• Choose flame-retardant or non-combustible decorations, and only use lights that have been tested and labelled by a certified testing laboratory. Consider energy-efficient LED lighting, which produces less heat and poses less of a fire risk.
• Always turn all incandescent decorative lights off before leaving home or going to sleep. Certified timers can be used to pre-set ‘on’ and ‘off’ times.
• Ensure electrical outlets are not overloaded.

Cooking safety

• Stovetop fires can start in a flash. Always stay in the kitchen while food is cooking, and keep anything flammable at a safe distance from the stove.
• If you are celebrating the holidays with little ones, designate a kid-free zone around the stove and food preparation areas.

Candle safety

• Always place candle holders on a stable surface, and never leave lit candles unattended.
• Use non-combustible containers for tea lights and votive candles. Battery-operated candles are an excellent alternative.
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles.

Smoke alarms and fire escape planning

• Ensure that working smoke alarms are present 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 designate at least two ways out of your home. Remember to share your emergency plan with your guests as well.
• Make sure holiday decorations do not block any exits.

Learn More:

Holiday Fire Safety website: https://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 household can get prepared, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/preparedbc

• Household preparedness guide: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/preparedbc/preparedbc_household_preparedness_guide_web_final_2015.pdf
• Household emergency plan: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/preparedbc/preparedbc_household_emergency_plan.pdf
• How to build an emergency kit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/preparedbc/build-an-emergency-kit
• More detailed preparedness and safety information on:
  • Severe weather: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/preparedbc/know-the-risks/severe-weather
  • Power outages: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/preparedbc/know-the-risks/power-outages
  • Floods: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/preparedbc/know-the-risks/floods
  • Landslides: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/preparedbc/know-the-risks/landslides

For tips on how to stay safe, follow Emergency Management BC on Twitter: @EmergencyInfoBC (twitter.com)
and PreparedBC: @PreparedBC (twitter.com)

National Fire Protection Association Project Holiday: http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/seasonal-fires/winter-holiday-safety

Electrical Safety Foundation International: 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: http://www.drivebc.ca
and remember to “Shift into Winter.” For more details: https://shiftintowinter.ca/drive-for-the-conditions/

Contact the Office of the Fire Commissioner: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/fire-safety

Christmas tree burn test: dry vs. hydrated: http://youtu.be/fbwkZe133o8