The focus of this year’s winter holiday fire safety campaign is to ensure everyone takes the time to address the hazards that cause fires during the holidays.

“Festive celebrations, flickering lights and winter greens are hallmarks of the holiday season, but they also present fire risks that can quickly turn this joyful time of year into a devastating one,” said Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen, minister responsible for the Office of the Fire Commissioner. “The Office of the Fire Commissioner and the Manitoba Fire Service work to educate the public about potential fire risks during the holidays – let’s ‘Put a Freeze on Winter Holiday Fires’ to help everyone safely enjoy the season.”

This year’s theme, Put a Freeze on Winter Holiday Fires, encourages people to reduce the risk from heating, holiday decorations, and candles, which all contribute to an increased risk of fire during the winter months. The Office of the Fire Commissioner is also reminding families and individuals to help reduce risk from cooking and other hazards, including carbon monoxide and electrical fires.

“It only takes a few minutes to be fire safe,” said Brad Yochim, president, Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs. “For example, when you walk through your home, make sure the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms work, keep lit candles away from decorations and make sure they are blown out before going to bed.”

This season, pay attention to these safety tips that will help keep everyone safe during the holidays:

  • be careful with holiday decorations and choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant
  • keep children and pets away from lit candles
  • keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn
  • blow out candles before going to bed
  • be aware that some electrical lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both
  • replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections
  • read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect
  • test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
  • stay in the kitchen when cooking on a stovetop
  • ask smokers to smoke outside and remind them to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them
  • provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers and wet cigarette butts with water before discarding
  • tell guests about the home fire escape plan