Put fire safety first during the holidays

Oshawa Fire Services is reminding residents to take proper fire safety precautions and stay fire safe this holiday season with the annual 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety campaign.

From December 12 to 23, fire departments across Ontario will share daily holiday fire safety tips supported by personal frontline testimonials. Holiday fire safety videos will be shared by @OshawaFire on X, while radio advertisements featuring local educators and fire personnel from Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes will air on KX96 New Country FM, 94.9 The Rock, 107.7 FM, and 1580 AM CKDO.  

12 Days of Holiday Safety Tips:

• December 12: Holiday lights
• December 13: Tree watering 
• December 14: Candles and decorations
• December 15: Smoke alarms
• December 16: Carbon Monoxide alarms 
• December 17: Extension cords
• December 18: Kids in the kitchen
• December 19: Home fire escape plans
• December 20: Cooking
• December 21: Heating sources
• December 22: Smoking
• December 23: Lithium-Ion batteries

The 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety campaign was created in partnership with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC), the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC), the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officer's Association (OMFPOA), the Ontario Association of Fire Educators (OAFE) and fire departments throughout the province.

Quick Facts:

• Ontario Fire Marshal data indicates the months from November to January experience the highest number of residential fire deaths. 
• Cooking remains the top cause of residential fires while careless smoking remains the top cause of fatal fires.
• Last holiday season (November 2024 – January 2025) saw 24 residential fatal fires in Ontario resulting in 26 fire deaths.
• Smoke alarms should be tested monthly, batteries replaced annually, and the alarms themselves replaced after 10 years of service. Install carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas and starting January 1, 2026 Ontario Fire Code changes will require you to also install them on every storey of your home. Learn more at ontario.ca/CarbonMonoxide.

Learn more about fire prevention and fire safety at oshawa.ca/fire.