The Wrights enjoyed a sumptuous family holiday dinner and kicked off a raucous board game in the den after the meal. An hour later, screeching smoke detectors punctured the celebratory atmosphere. A candle had fallen. The walnut dining table was burning briskly, sending black smoke rolling across the ceiling.
“The Wrights put out the fire in under a minute with a fire extinguisher,” says John Stoker, President, Paul Davis Restoration, Central Nova Scotia, NS. “But smoke spread throughout the home’s first floor. The dining table was a loss, as was the ceiling in that room. Both were replaced. Soot removal and odour treatments rehabbed the other affected areas. It certainly could have been worse but it was bad enough.”
As the Wrights found out, fires are a significant threat during the holiday season. Experts report that three common activities pose the biggest hazards. Follow a few important do’s and don’ts to reduce risks:
Christmas trees and decorations
DO:
- Choose LED lights, which stay cool and conserve energy.
- Keep live trees well-watered. If choosing an artificial tree, select a model certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL-certified).
- Unplug holiday lights when leaving the room.
DON’T:
- Overload extension cords.
- Connect too many light strings together. Follow manufacturers’ directions to avoid overheating lighting.
- Place live trees close to flammable materials.
Candles
DO:
- Keep candles at least 30 centimeters away from flammable materials. Three out of five candle fires ignite when a flammable material is too close to the flame.
- Keep loose clothing away from candle flames.
- Choose battery-operated, flameless candles. Many newer options look and smell like the real thing.
DON’T:
- Leave a burning candle unattended. Put it out even if you leave the room briefly. And don’t fall asleep with a candle lit.
- Let candles burn all the way down.
- Burn candles if oxygen is in use by someone in the home.
Cooking:
DO:
- Move flammable items away from cooking areas and hot surfaces.
- Keep a fire extinguisher easily accessible in the kitchen. Ensure the model is current and maintained regularly.
- Keep cooking appliances clean and in good repair.
DON’T:
- Leave cooking items unattended. Avoid distractions during cooking.
- Overheat fat or grease, which can burst into flame suddenly.
- Allow children or pets in the cooking area.
Paul Davis endorses one more “DO” that boosts fire safety year-round: functional smoke alarms, preferably hard-wired with battery back-up. “Walk around your home right now and test all the alarms,” Stoker says. “It only takes a few minutes to verify that these vital devices are ready to save your home and perhaps your life.”
