Kawartha Lakes – Fire Chief, Mark Pankhurst has a holiday wish and he needs resident’s help to make it come true.
“I’m wishing for a fire-free holiday season this year,” stated Chief Pankhurst. “But I need you to make this come true!”
According to Pankhurst, fire can happen anywhere at any time but it most commonly occurs when individuals let their guard down or get distracted while a pot is left on the stove or a candle is left burning, unattended.
The fire chief is urging residents to never leave a cooking pot unattended on the stove and to consider using battery-operated or electric flameless candles.
According to fire officials, smoking is also a leading cause of fires during the holiday season.
“Make sure smokers extinguish cigarettes in large deep ashtrays, not in plant pots which may contain peat moss or shredded bark that can easily ignite,” said Pankhurst. “Ashes should be emptied in a metal container, not the garbage can and put outside at least three metres (10 feet) from combustibles and buildings.”
The Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service also reminds everyone to maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in the home. Homeowners should install smoke alarms on every storey of their home and outside of all sleeping areas. CO alarms are also required outside all bedrooms if you have a woodstove, attached garage, or fuel burning appliances.
Officials recommend testing your smoke and CO alarms every month by pressing the test button while installing new batteries or replacing alarms when needed.
Enjoy a fire safe holiday season by following these tips from the Fire Department:
- Always stay in the kitchen when something is cooking on the stove;
- Place lit candles away from anything that can burn and out of the reach of children and pets where they can’t be knocked over. Remember to snuff out candles before leaving the room or going to bed. Consider using battery-operated or electric flameless candles;
- Drink responsibly. Attempting to cook or smoke while under the influence of alcohol is too often a contributing factor in fatal fires;
- Make sure the base of real Christmas tree is immersed in water at all times, to prevent them from getting too dry;
- Check all sets of decorative lights before putting them up and discard any sets that are damaged;
- Develop and practice a home fire escape plan so that everyone in your home knows what to do if the smoke or CO alarms sound.
