Fireproof your holidays with these essential safety tips

There’s no better place to celebrate the holiday season than Mississauga! Despite having many places to visit and see, many families spend quality time at their residence. During the next few weeks, more people will be spending time hosting dinners, exchanging gifts or simply spending more time with loved ones. Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services (MFES) has recommendations to keep you safe.

Keep the kitchen cool

Potlucks and dinners are very common during this time of year. When heating or cooking a meal, stay in the kitchen and follow these tips:

• Avoid distractions while you cook and never operate your stove if you are too tired or under the influence – if this is the case, consider ordering takeout and supporting a local restaurant.
• Monitor small appliances such as toasters, pressure cookers, slow cookers and air fryers. Remember, an air fryer’s external parts can get hot, and when left on too long, they can cause overheating.
• With anything electrical, it’s always a good idea to read the appliance manual, which includes important safety tips, cleaning instructions and potential hazards that may cause a fire.

Stay away from heat sources

You might get tempted to light a candle, turn on a portable heater for a few hours, or boil water for a hot drink. Pay attention to all heat sources and keep children, vulnerable people and pets away from those items.

• Remember to keep anything that can burn or catch on fire at least three feet away from heat sources such as a fireplace, stove, heater or furnace.
• If you have concerns about your heating equipment, contact a qualified professional to work according to local codes and manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure heating equipment and chimneys inspected and cleaned yearly by a professional is also a good idea.

Decorate and design safely

Most people would say that holiday décor is one of their favourite aspects about the winter season! Ensure that you:

• Carefully check all the cords and plugs to ensure they are not frayed or damaged. If using extension cords, ensure they aren’t overloaded or placed under rugs, which can damage the cord and cause a fire.
• If you’re using a real tree for decor, ensure it’s fresh and keep the base of the trunk watered. Keep your tree away from the fireplace, exits, heater or candles.

Keep your guests safe

This holiday season, remember what matters the most: everyone’s safety including our most vulnerable loved ones.

Before you get caught up in the chaos of back-to-back events or parties, test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Replace alarms if they are more than 10 years old. Remember that you need working smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. A carbon monoxide alarm is also a must have. Lastly, remind guests about your home escape plan, including where your family meeting place is located.

Learn more about fire prevention from Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services on the city’s website.

Tags

• Fire and Emergency Services
• Public Safety