Fire Safety Awareness Is a Gift that Keeps on Giving

Fire Marshal Robert Cormier is urging Nova Scotians to put fire safety awareness at the top of their holiday to-do list.

"The Christmas season increases the number of hazards, both at home and in the workplace," Mr. Cormier said. "I can think of no better gift for a family than one of total safety consciousness. That includes ensuring smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are in working order, or the purchase of these items. "

He noted that the many distractions during the rush to Christmas and the relaxed mood during the holidays can lead to tragedy. Statistics indicate that the incidents of house fires rise with the increase in alcohol consumption.

"Without applying common sense and the rules of safety, the very objects that brighten the holiday season can quickly bring a pall of gloom to the community and the province," said Mr. Cormier.

The fire marshal offers the following tips and precautions when decorating your home this holiday season:

• consider a fire-resistant artificial tree
• artificial trees that have aluminum or steel frames conduct electricity and should not be decorated with strings of lights and should be illuminated with floodlights
• a real tree should not lose green needles when you tap it on the ground
• cut 2.5 centimetres (one inch) off the trunk, at a 45-degree angle to help absorb water
• leave the tree outside until ready to decorate
• the stand should hold at least four litres (one gallon) of water
• a two-metre (six-foot) tree will use four litres of water every two days
• mix a commercial preservative with the water and check the water level every day
• do not locate your tree near an exit
• secure the tree with wire to keep it from tipping
• keep tree away from floor heaters, fire places, or other heat sources (a fireplace should be equipped with an approved screen}
• a natural tree will dry out after 10 or 15 days inside and should be removed from the building as soon as possible after Christmas
• dispose of the tree properly and never burn in the fireplace
• only use C.S.A. approved interior lights with no more than three strands linked together
• use miniature lights, which have cool-burning bulbs
• never use candles, even on artificial trees
• do not use indoor lights outdoors
• only use approved staples to hold lights to walls or window frames
• examine light strings each year and discard worn ones
• extension cords should be in good condition and should not be run under rugs or through doorways where they could be walked on and the insulation broken or worn
• recycle gift wrap and do not burn in woodstoves or fireplaces because the sudden heat can cause chimney fires
• keep an approved portable fire extinguisher handy

"Practising fire safety is a must, 365 days a year," Mr. Cormier said. "We want to remind people to be careful not to let their guard down during the festive season."