With the holiday season upon us, we are entering one of the most festive times of the year. However, it is also one of the deadliest times of the year for fires.
With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, your risk of having a fire increases dramatically. Fire statistics from across the province of Ontario show that every year a disproportionate amount, almost one-third, of all fire deaths occur during the holiday months of November, December and January.
Between November 1, 2008 and January 31, 2009, there were 82 residential fires in Windsor with a total dollar loss of almost $1.5 million.
Windsor Fire & Rescue Services is extremely concerned about the rise in fires over the winter months and encourages people to celebrate safely this holiday season by following some simple precautions.
• Keep an eye on your cooking – unattended cooking continues to be the leading cause of home fires in Windsor
• Keep candles in a sturdy holder away from children, pets and anything that can burn – blow them out before leaving the room
• Decorate safely – keep decorations away from all heat sources; candles, fireplace, heaters
• Alcohol and fire are a dangerous mix – keep a close eye on anyone attempting to cook or smoke while under the influence of alcohol
• Encourage smokers to smoke outside – use a large, deep ashtray and wet ashes before disposing of them
• Check all sets of lights before putting them up – discard any sets that are damaged or old
• Buy a fresh tree and keep the base of the trunk in water at all times – never place lit candles on or near the Christmas tree
• Ensure you have working smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas – test them monthly
• Ensure everyone knows how to get outside quickly and safely in the event of a fire emergency – don’t block these emergency passageways
For additional information on how to enjoy a safe & happy holiday season, visit Windsor Fire & Rescue Service’s Prevention & Education section of their website at http://www.windsorfire.com/.
And let's stay safe this holiday season!
by Deborah Jones
Publisher
Biz X Magazine
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