Keeping Sundre family homes and businesses safe during the Christmas season is all about knowing what to watch for and what to do when emergencies strike, says Sundre fire chief Marty Butts. With lots of extraordinary activities in and around the home at this time of year, including such things preparing large family meals, installing and decorating Christmas trees and lights, and enjoying fireplaces or firepits, the dangers are something everyone needs to watch out for, he said.
“One of the big things we want people to be aware of this year is the danger of candles,” said Butts. “Whether you have kids in the home or not, you need to be very careful to make sure the candle are out before you go to bed or leave the house. Don't just let the candles burn out, but put them out and make sure you don't forget to put them all out. Lots of people use candles at this time of year so make sure you are taking the precautions.”
The department is also reminding people about the importance of getting their fireplace chimneys cleaned at least once a year to prevent fires.
“We have been luck so far this year since we haven't responded to any chimney fires,” he said. “That something we've been talking about a lot lately, telling people to make sure they keep those chimneys clear. The build up can lead to chimney fires.
“Usually at this time of year, with the cold snaps, people are burning hot fires to keep warm and that's when we get problems with chimney fires.”
Butts says people also need to make sure their smoke alarms and CO2 alarms have good batteries inside.
“Everybody should be checking the batteries in their CO2 monitors. Have two monitors, one that alarms and one that has the reading on it. If you have one with the reading to confirm then you have two sources and that will give a good indication that you need to be checking things.”
As a safety precaution, anyone considering putting up a large Christmas lights display on their homes or properties should probably consult with an electrician to make sure the outlets can handle the load, he said.
In its 2011 safety campaign, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, which promotes fire safety in homes through awareness campaigns, is calling on parents and other caregivers to make sure family home safety is a top priority this Christmas season.
COOKING SAFETY -
AEMA officials says cooking is the number one cause of home fires in Alberta, with cooking oil and fat fires accounting for a large proportion of these fires.
As such, officials says residents need to extra careful whenever cooking. The best way to fry foods is to use an electric-temperature-controlled skillet or a deep-fat fryer.
In the unlikely event that a fire does start in cooking oil or fat here are some quick action tips:
• Turn off the heat immediately.
• Smother the flames by covering the pan with a lid.
• Use baking soda (flour can be explosive) on shallow grease fires.
• Never turn on the overhead fan, as this could spread the fire.
• Never throw water on a grease fire, as an explosive fire-ball could fill the kitchen.
A stovetop fire can start in a flash, so never leave stovetop cooking unattended, and always keep all combustibles away from the stove. This includes tea towels, wooden or plastic spoons and paper towels.
FIREPLACE SAFETY -
While they are great for heating homes and providing lots of holiday atmosphere, fireplaces can also pose hazards. Here are some tips for fireplace safety:
• Never burn gift wrapping, boxes, cartons, or other types of packaging in the fireplace. They burn too rapidly and generate far too much heat.
• Don't hang Christmas stockings from the mantel when the fireplace is in use.
• Always use a screen in front of the fireplace to protect against flying sparks.
• Never use gasoline or any other flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Use only small quantities of seasoned and dried wood.
• Never leave the fire unattended or let it smolder.
• Remove ashes regularly.
• Place the ashes in a metal container and store outside away from flammable materials.
• Don't use Christmas trees for firewood.
CANDLE SAFETY -
Like fireplaces, candles can also pose potential hazards, particularly if youngsters are around. Here are some tips:
• Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Place candles away from absolutely anything that could catch fire.
• Use tea lights or votive candles in non-combustible containers as they are generally safer than tapers.
• Burn candles only under the supervision of a responsible adult.
• Place candles where they will not be knocked down and put them in to sturdy holders on a stable surface, well away from drafts, curtains, children and pets.
• Snuff out all candles before leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Never put lit candles on to a tree.
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS -
While they are used throughout the year in every day life, electrical outlets are getting more than the usual amount of use during the holiday season. And since electrical fires can were just as dangerous as those started by candles or fireplaces, following safety tips is a must.
“There is often a tendency to overload wall outlets during the holiday season and it is a fire hazard. Overloading electrical outlets is unsafe and should be avoided even for short durations,” said EMA officials, who offer the following tips:
• Inspect all cords before using; make sure they are CSA certified. Read the labels and manufacturer's instructions to ensure proper use.
• Look for loose connections or frayed or exposed wire. Discard any defective cords.
• Insert plugs fully into outlets. Poor contact may cause overheating or shock.
• Do not coil or bunch an extension cord which is in use and do not run it under carpets or rugs.
• Never use indoor extension cords outside.
• Keep outdoor electrical connectors above ground and out of puddles and snow.
• Be careful when placing cords behind or beneath furniture; pinched cords can cause them to fray and even short out.
CHRISTAMS TREES -
“Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases,” say officials.
• Get a freshly cut tree. It will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard. Try to pick a tree with a strong green colour and a noticeable fragrance.
• Always test for freshness before buying. A tree with high moisture content is safer. Very few needles should fall when the butt of the tree is tapped on the ground; needles should bend, not break; and the trunk should be sticky to the touch with resin.
• Cut the bottom of the tree two to four centimeters diagonally to help absorb water.
• Place the tree in a stand that will hold two to three litres of water and top it up daily. Check the water level daily to ensure the tree is always immersed in water. If the water level drops below the trunk, the stem may reseal itself, requiring a fresh cut.
• To clean the tree stand and improve the tree's water intake, use one capful of bleach to a cup of water.
• Use a tree stand that has widespread legs for better balance.
• Shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires.
• Place your tree away from heat sources such as a fireplace, television, a sunny window or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks.
• The tree should not block doors or windows.
• Never use candles on the tree.
• A live tree can be used for a period of two weeks. After that, even the freshest tree can start to dry out.
• When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.
• Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove.
• Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame.
• Consider an artificial tree (they are much safer and cleaner). If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.
- with files from Alberta Emergency Management Agency
