Oshawa Fire Services reminds residents to put fire safety first this holiday season
Oshawa Fire Services, along with other Fire and Emergency Services in Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes, have partnered with Enbridge Gas to promote 12 Days of Holiday Safety on local radio stations.
From December 9 to 11, radio advertisements featuring representatives from Enbridge Gas will promote the holiday safety campaign and provide carbon monoxide safety tips on KX96 New Country FM, 94.9 theRock, 107.7FM and 1580AM CKDO. The team of public educators and other fire personnel from the local fire services in Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes will continue to share helpful safety tips that will air on the same stations from December 12 to 23.
The campaign focuses on carbon monoxide safety tips and holiday fire prevention reminders. This partnership with Enbridge Gas provides important safety information during a time of year where there’s typically an increase in fire-related emergencies.
Oshawa Fire Services encourages community members to take the radio messages to heart, as they include vital tips and information that could save the lives of loved ones, including:
Christmas Tree Safety Tips
- Real Christmas trees should be kept fresh and full of water. When large amounts of needles fall, it’s time to get rid of the tree.
Keep trees away from all heat sources. - Make sure your tree doesn’t block any doorways.
- Never place lit candles on or near the Christmas tree.
Festive Lights
- Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings and replace any damaged lights or frayed wires prior to plugging the lights in.
- Remember not to overload extension cords.
- Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving the house or going to bed.
Candles
- Keep candles in sturdy holders on level surfaces.
- Always be sure to extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
- Keep candles, matches and lighters out of reach of children.
- Consider battery-operated candles as a safer alternative.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.
- For added protection, install a smoke alarm in each bedroom.
- Test your smoke alarms monthly.
- Carbon monoxide alarms are required by law to be installed outside any sleeping areas.
- Replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when they are 10 years old.
Holiday Cooking Safety
- Clear the stove area of items that might catch fire easily.
- Try to use the back burners as much as possible; when using front burners, remember to turn the pot handles inward.
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- Avoid cooking while consuming alcohol or drugs.
- Have a fire extinguisher nearby.
Home Sweet Home
- Develop and practise a home fire escape plan with everyone in your home.
- Ensure all members of your household know two ways out of every room.
- Keep space heaters 1 metre away from combustible objects or anything that can burn.
- Smoke outside.
For more information on Oshawa Fire Services, visit oshawa.ca/fire or follow @OshawaFire on Twitter.
For City of Oshawa updates, visit Oshawa.ca/NewsCentre to follow us on social media, subscribe to news and alerts, and have your say on Connect Oshawa.