‘Tis the Season’ to be FireSmart

Public Service Announcement

This holiday season, the Kelowna Fire Department (KFD) is sharing safety tips to ensure your festivities are full of sparkle not spark.  

“Don’t forget about safety during the flurry of activities that lead up to the holiday season” said Paul Johnson, Fire Prevention Officer, Kelowna Fire Department. “Many of the fires we deal with during the holidays are avoidable and we can reduce the risk of these fires by following some simple safety tips. These simple reminders can make a big difference in ensuring a safe holiday season.”

Johnson says a fire can easily start with a dry Christmas tree, after someone walks away from a pot on the stovetop, or when a turkey in the oven is left unattended. He recommends keeping holiday gatherings safe with the following tips:

• Ensure your smoke alarms are operational by testing them and replacing the batteries.    
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets – pets can knock over candles with a nudge or a wag of a tail.
• Keep a watchful eye on items on the stove and in the oven, and have a lid nearby to smother pan fires
• Request smokers go outside and provide them with a deep ashtray with water.
• Use non-candle or LED candles for décor items such as table centerpieces (if you must use real candles, never leave them unattended and ensure they are in a glass container where the top of the flame does not exceed the rim).

In addition to holiday entertaining safety tips, KFD shares these Christmas tree safety tips:

• Ideally, use an artificial tree which is non-combustible.
• If you choose a real tree, ensure the tree is fresh with green needles that do not fall off when touched. Cut two inches off the bottom off the base of the trunk before placing in the stand and water the tree daily.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Only use lights that have a “CAN” or “ULC” stamp which certifies they are approved for use in Canada.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections and never exceed manufacturer’s instruction for maximum number of strand connections.
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
• Get rid of dried out trees immediately as they are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage or placed outside against the home.

In recent years, KFD has noticed an increase in the use of fireworks during New Year's celebrations.

“The use of fireworks in the city is prohibited unless you are certified through Natural Resources Canada as a fireworks operator and have valid fireworks permit issued from the fire department,” says Paul Johnson, “The last thing police, bylaw or fire department officials want to do is issue tickets for fireworks violations on New Years Eve. We want everyone to have a safe festive season, we don’t want to be the New Years Grinch”.    

For more information and fire safety videos, including fire safety in the kitchen, visit kelowna.ca/fire.