Kitchener Fire prepares for the holiday season with the 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety

The holiday season is here and during this busy time of year we open our homes to entertain family and friends, decorate the tree with lights, bake festive treats, and keep warm by the fire. These and other hallmarks of the season can also bring with them increased fire dangers if not handled correctly. Taking the right steps to prevent fires is also an important part of our holiday preparations.

Today the Kitchener Fire Department is kicking off 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety with daily tips for staying safe this holiday season as you count down the days until Christmas. Take a moment each day to think about fire safety, examine your space, and ensure you are prepared for a safe and healthy holiday season!

• Day 1: Inspect all lights and cords before decorating.

• Day 2: Water fresh trees daily and keep them away from heat sources.

• Day 3: Avoid using real candles if you can and try the safe flameless ones.

• Day 4: Test and replace the batteries in smoke alarms.

• Day 5: Test and replace the batteries in carbon monoxide alarms.

• Day 6: Use extension cords wisely and avoid overloading circuits.

• Day 7: Keep an eye on the kids when holiday baking in the kitchen.

• Day 8: Create or practice your home fire escape plan, know two ways out.

• Day 9: Never leave the oven or stove unattended, especially when cooking with oil.

• Day 10: Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that could burn.

• Day 11: Careless smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires.

• Day 12: Always monitor lithium batteries when charging.

A safe holiday season is a happy holiday season!

To learn more about how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from fire, visit www.kitchener.ca/PublicEducation.