“Decorating our homes, baking special treats and wrapping gifts are all wonderful traditions in the days leading up to the Christmas holidays, but these activities also increase the risk of fire in the home,” said Mr. Rossiter. “Improperly maintained or displayed lights can ignite and lead to a devastating fire. Cooking is the number one cause of home fires, and wrapping paper can be a dangerous combustible if it is stored or used too close to heating appliances.”

Mr. Rossiter said it is very important to ensure all smoke detectors in the home are in good working order at all times. Never remove batteries from a smoke alarm. The Fire Marshal offers the following tips to help Islanders have a safe holiday:

Electric lights:

• Never overload extension cords.

• Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings and replace damaged items before plugging lights in.

• Make sure lights have the ULC or CSA stamp of approval.

• Indoor lights should only be used indoors; outdoor lights should only be used outdoors.

• Always turn off all light strings and decorations and unplug tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

• Use only non-combustible, flame retardant or flame resistant materials to decorate your home or tree. Never use candles on trees.

• Consider using battery-powered candles, especially if using candles in a decorative setting.

Cooking:

• Never leave cooking unattended. This is the leading cause of kitchen fires.

• Keep a lid nearby to smother a pan fire.

• If distracted by another activity or a phone call while cooking, turn off the stove before leaving the kitchen.

Christmas trees in the home:

• Check for the freshness of a live tree by pulling the needles and looking for faded colour. Dry trees are a serious fire hazard.

• Just before bringing the tree into your home, make a fresh cut on the base of the trunk. Keep your tree well watered at all times. Continually check for signs of dryness, and take the tree down if it starts drying out.

• Ensure an artificial tree is fire-retardant. Check the label.

• Aluminum and metal trees conduct electricity. Do not decorate with lights or electrical products, unless the lights are pre-installed by the manufacturer and are CSA approved.

• Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove. They can spark and ignite nearby items.

Wrapping paper:

• Wrapping paper is highly combustible and should be kept away from heat sources such as candles, lamps, fireplaces and wood burning stoves.

• Never throw wrapping paper in a fireplace. Paper burns rapidly and can generate sparks or ignite creosote in the chimney.

“The holidays are a time for celebration with family and friends but we must be diligent to keep our homes and our families safe,” said Mr. Rossiter. “I hope Islanders will make fire safety a key consideration in all holiday plans.”

The Fire Marshal’s Office, a section of the Department of Environment, Energy and Justice, is committed to promoting fire safety for people and property throughout the upcoming holiday season and year round. For more information, call 368-4893, visit www.peipublicsafety.ca or follow @peipublicsafety on Twitter or Facebook.