With the family home for the holidays and the house filled with heat and electrical wires to power the Christmas lights, Port Coquitlam firefighters are urging the public to be cautious of dangers.
December to February is the busiest stretch for smoke-eaters as residents turn on portable heaters to get cozy inside and decorate their homes with flammable wares like wrapping paper.
Here are a few tips from the PoCo department for residents to stay safe this festive season:
Space heaters
- choose heaters with a CSA or ULC approved seal
- keep the heater at least one metre (three feet) away from anything that could catch fire or burn
- turn off and unplug the space heater when you leave the room or go to bed
Holiday decorations
- place your tree at least a metre away from a heat source
- use flame-resistant or flame-retardant decorations
- unplug lights when not in use or overnight
Holiday cooking
- don’t leave your stove unattended and monitor nearby children
- keep an eye cooking on the food, especially if you are frying
- never put water on a grease or oil fire; cover the pot or pan with a lid or baking sheet and turn off the heat
- if there’s a fire in the oven, close the oven door and turn off the heat
As well, make sure working smoke alarms are installed on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area.
For more information on holiday safety, you can visit the Port Coquitlam Fire Department online or call 604-927-5466.
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