Holiday Safety
This information is furnished to you to keep your home and family safe during this
holiday season.
Christmas Trees
Get a tree that is freshly cut. It will stay green longer and be less of a fire
hazard.
Always test for freshness before buying. A tree with high moisture content is safer.
Very few needles should fall when the butt of the tree is tapped on the ground;
needles should bend, not break; and the stump should be sticky with resin.
Before setting up the tree, saw 2-inches diagonally off the butt.
Use a tree stand that has widespread legs for better balance and a large water reservoir
in which to immerse the tree butt. If necessary, use guy wires to steady the tree.
Maintain the water supply in the reservoir.
Do not set your tree up near a heat source such as a radiator, television, fireplace,
heating duct or sunny window. It should not block doors or windows.
After the holidays, remove the tree to the outdoors as soon as possible.
Use Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certified light strings/sets.
Use the proper light strings for the environment. Indoor light strings/sets should
not be used outdoors because they lack weatherproof connections. Some outdoor light
strings/sets burn too hot indoors.
Inspect light strings before use. Check for cracked bulbs and for frayed, broken
or exposed wires, and discard if faulty.
Do not use electric light strings on metallic trees. A faulty system could energize
the tree and shock or electrocute anyone coming into contact. Illuminate metallic
trees with colored floodlights placed at a safe distance from the tree and out of
reach of everyone.
Turn off all tree and display lights before retiring for the night or before leaving
the house.
Choose decorations that are flame-retardant, noncombustible and non-conductive.
If there are young children or pets in your home, avoid decorations that are very
small.
Avoid using angel hair (glass wool) together with spray-on snowflakes. This combination
is highly combustible.
Do not use metallic ornaments on the tree. If they make contact with defective wiring
they could become a shock hazard.
Never use lighted candles on the tree.
Have gas and kerosene space heaters inspected annually to ensure proper operation.
Fireplaces
Never burn gift wrappings, boxes, cartons, and other types of packing in the fireplace.
They burn too rapidly, generate far too much heat, and can easily tumble out of
the firebox.
Don't hang Christmas stockings from the mantel when the fireplace is in use.
Always use a screen in front of the fireplace to protect against flying sparks.
Never use gasoline or any other flammable liquids to start a fire.
Use only seasoned and dried wood.
Never let the fire smolder. Think of smoke as wasted energy.
Clean the ashes regularly. Place the ashes in a metal container and store outside
away from flammable materials.
Don't use Christmas trees for firewood.
Electrical Outlets
There is often a tendency to overload wall outlets during the holiday season. This
is an unsafe practice and should be avoided even for a short duration.
Inspect all cords before using. Look for loose connections or frayed or exposed
wire. Discard any defective cords.
Use cords which are CSA certified. Consult your supplier and read the labels and
manufacturer's instructions to ensure proper use.
Insert plugs fully into outlets. Poor contact may cause overheating or produce shock.
To avoid possible overheating, do not coil or bunch an extension cord which is in
use and do not run it under carpets or rugs.
Baking In The Kitchen
Grease and fat fires are a leading cause of home fires, so be extra careful when
doing this kind of cooking.
Here's what to do if grease in a pot or pan catches fire:
- Smother the flames by covering the pan with a lid
- Turn off the heat immediately
- Use baking soda (flour can be explosive) on shallow grease fires
- Never turn on the overhead fan, as this could spread the fire
- Never throw water on a grease fire
Fire Safety Gift Ideas
Give the gift of safety.
- Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) approved home smoke alarm
- CSA certified carbon monoxide detector
- UL approved ABC fire extinguisher
- Candle snuffer
- CSA certified thermostatically controlled deep fryer
adapted from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
www.cpsc.gov