12 Days of Holiday Safety

To enjoy a safe and worry-free holiday season, take a moment to ensure your home is prepared for potential emergencies. Here are some tips to follow:

• Ensure your home has a working carbon monoxide alarm and smoke alarm.
• Inspect your fire extinguishers. They should be checked monthly, and a certified technician should inspect it annually.
• Maintain your first-aid kit by checking that each item is stocked, has not deteriorated and is within its expiry date. Items should be replaced as soon as possible after they have been used.

A well-prepared fire escape plan is essential for keeping safe in case of an emergency. Read and follow these tips below:

• Everyone, including overnight guests, should be familiar with your home escape plan.
• Everyone should know what to do and where to go when the alarm goes off.
• Plan two ways out of every room in your home in case one route is blocked. Designate a spot outside where everyone will gather after evacuating your home.
• Plan ahead for who will help young children, older adults, or people with disabilities escape your home.

A household emergency kit should sustain you and your family for up to 72 hours in case of unexpected events like natural disasters, power outages, or other emergencies.

A well-stocked, accessible emergency kit can provide critical support and peace of mind when help might not be immediately available. Some items include: 

• Water: 2L per person, per day (including small bottles)
• Non-perishable food and manual can-opener
• Flashlight (crank or battery-powered)
• Battery-powered or crank radio
• First aid kit
• Extra house/car keys
• Cash (small bills)
• Emergency plan and contact list
• Medications, medical items, infant formula, pet supplies (as needed)
• Note: Replace food, water, and batteries once a year.

Holiday lighting can make beautiful displays, but there are hazards to be mindful of. Here are some tips to help you safely decorate with holiday lights this season:

• Before you put your holiday lights up, check to see if they are broken, frayed or damaged. Dispose of any damaged or frayed lights.
• Use lights that are CSA approved and follow the manufacturer’s guide.
• Use indoor lights inside — and outdoor lights outside.
• When hanging lights outside, use insulated staples or specially designed hooks. Do not puncture light strands.
• To avoid the risk of electrical shock, never use lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights.
• When you leave the house or go to bed, shut off all indoor holiday lights.

Electronic decorations are a popular choice; however, you sometimes may need to use electrical cords to reach a power source. When using extension cords and power strips, follow these safety guidelines to reduce the risk of fire and electrical hazards:

• Buy only CSA-approved extension cords and power strips for a temporary connection. If you require more outlets, hire a qualified electrician to install them.
• Before using it, check for damage. If there is any damage, the cord should be discarded.
• Never place a cord under a rug, wall, doorway, ceiling or floor.
• Extension cords and power strips should never be plugged into one another and should never be used for major appliances.
• Keep outdoor extension cords clear of snow and standing water.
• FACT: About one-third of Christmas tree fires at home result from electrical issues

Winter travel can be dangerous. Before you hit the road, make sure your winter vehicle emergency kit is packed and check the road conditions by using the Highway Hotline website or mobile app. Some items you should keep in your winter vehicle emergency kit include:

• Bottled water
• Non-perishable food or energy bars
• Flashlight (crank or battery-powered)
• First aid kit
• Snow shovel
• Cash (small bills)
• Ice scraper
• Booster cables
• Cat litter or sand
• Phone charger and batteries
• blanket or sleeping bag

Before hitting the road this winter, it’s essential to prioritize safety by planning ahead and adjusting your driving habits to the challenging conditions. Here are some general winter driving tips:

• Tell someone where you are going and your expected arrival time.
• Give yourself extra time to reach your destination or consider staying home if travel conditions are poor.
• Reduce your speed and avoid using cruise control or lane-keeping assistance.
• Never drive if you are tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Keep your phone fully charged do not use it to avoid distractions while driving. Instead, have a passenger make calls or pull over if you need to call 9-1-1.

When using candles during the holidays, follow safety guidelines to minimize fire hazards. This ensures a safe and festive environment for everyone.

• During the holidays, position candles at least 30 centimetres from decorations, high-traffic zones and areas accessible to children or pets.
• Never use a candle if medical oxygen is present.
• Ensure you put out any lit candles before leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Avoid using candles in the event of a power outage. Instead, use flashlights and battery-powered lights.
• Consider using a battery-powered flame-less candle
  to reduce the risk of a fire.
• FACT 1: Candle-related home fires peak in the month of December.
• FACT 2: Around one-third of candle-related house fires begin in bedrooms.

This season can be a joyful time, but it can also be stressful or tiring. Being fatigued can make you vulnerable to accidents. Here are some tips to help you stay alert, rested and stress-free during the holidays:

Set realistic expectations: It’s easy to feel pressure to have the “perfect” holiday but remember that things don’t have to go exactly as planned. Allow room for imperfections and prioritize what matters the most.

Make a spending plan: Holiday shopping can wear down both your budget and your energy. Don’t overwork yourself or add extra stress. Creating a spending plan can help you stay on budget, feel less pressure, and manage your time. Remember,
meaningful gifts don’t have to be expensive.

Rest and recharge: Amid holiday planning, don’t neglect your own needs. It is
important to rest and not exhaust yourself. In addition to having a full night’s sleep, here are ways that can help you take care and reduce stress:

• Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may leave you feeling refreshed.
• Get fresh air – go for a walk. Exercise can be a great energy and mood booster.
• Practice mindful breathing.
• Drive around the neighborhood to view the seasonal light displays.

Set healthy boundaries: It’s easy to take on too much during the holidays. Don’t be afraid to say “no” to events or activities if you feel overwhelmed or worn out. It’s also okay to decline invitations or leave early if it helps protect your physical and mental well-being.

Reach out for support: It’s completely normal if the holidays don’t feel cheerful for you. People experience all kinds of emotions this time of year. If the season makes existing mental health struggles feel heavier, consider reaching out to a friend, family member, or professional for support.

The leading cause of home fires and injuries, especially during the holidays, is cooking. Here are some kitchen safety tips to avoid accidents:

• Do not use the oven or stove-top when you are tired or under the influence of alcohol.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stove top (e.g. oven mitts, food packaging, or towels).
• Stay in the kitchen while cooking. Turn off the stove when you leave the room.
• In case of a grease fire, cover the pan with a lid to smother flames and turn off the heat. Never use water on a grease fire.
• For an oven fire, turn off heat, keep the door closed. If uncertain or unable to control a kitchen fire, exit the house, close the door, and call 9-1-1 from outside.
• FACT 1: The second and third highest days for home cooking fires throughout the year are December 24 and 25.
• FACT 2: Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires.

Wood fireplaces make the holidays special but be aware of safety hazards. Here are essential tips to keep in mind when using your fireplace this holiday season, ensuring warmth and comfort without compromising safety:

• Before you use your fireplace, inspect it carefully for damage. If damage is present, call a qualified professional.
• Clean the ashes regularly, once cool and in a metal container with a lid. Store outside, away from flammable materials.
• Use a metal or heat-tempered glass screen to prevent sparks from escaping.
• Only use seasoned and dry wood. Never use gasoline or any other flammable substance to start a fire.
• Keep flammable objects such as holiday decorations, stockings, cards, etc. at least one-metre from your fireplace while it is in use.
• Never leave your fire unattended.
• FACT 1: Glass doors and screens can stay hot for several hours.
• FACT 2: More than two in five decoration fires start because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.
• FACT 3: Keep pets and children away from fireplaces even after the fire has been extinguished.

With holiday festivities in full swing, take precautions to keep children and pets safe from fire hazards. To minimize this risk, follow these tips:

• Keep lit candles out of reach or consider using electric candles instead.
• Establish a one-metre “child-free” or “pet-free” zone around all hazards, such as lit candles, fireplaces and space heaters.
• Always supervise children and pets near open flames and electrical cords. Ensure pets do not chew through electrical cords.
• Store matches and lighters up high and preferably in a locked cabinet.

Lithium-ion batteries are popular in electronic devices because they store a large amount of energy in a small amount of space.

However, they can overheat easily, catch fire or explode if not used properly. Here are some tips to safely charge, use, and dispose of these batteries:

• Make sure to always monitor your devices when charging. Do not overcharge your devices; unplug once fully charged.
• Do not charge devices under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and only use the charging cord that came with the device.
• Batteries and devices should be kept at room temperature. Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent them from overheating.
• Stop using the battery or device if you notice an odour, change in colour, too much heat, change in shape, leaking or odd noises.
• When it’s time to dispose of your battery or device, do not place in the trash. Look for a battery recycling location or contact your community for disposal instructions.