Fire Safety for the Holiday Season and Year Round

The Office of the Fire Marshal is reminding Nova Scotians to stay fire-safe this holiday season and all year long.

“As you and your loved ones deck the halls over the holidays, be sure to keep fire safety in mind,” said Doug MacKenzie, Nova Scotia’s Fire Marshal. “Christmas trees, holiday lights, and burning candles all come with additional fire risks. Staying mindful of these risks will help ensure a happy and safe holiday season for all.”

During the holiday season, people should remember to:

• never place a Christmas tree near an exit or heat source
• turn off holiday lights when not in use
• only use non-combustible decorations
• give the gift of safety this year – a smoke alarm, fire extinguisher or carbon monoxide detector makes a great gift for a family member, friend or loved one.

When using heat-producing items, people should remember to:

• stay in the kitchen while cooking, especially if using oil or cooking at high temperatures
• use candles safely:
  • never leave a burning candle unattended
  • keep them in a sturdy holder and out of the reach of children
  • avoid using candles in rooms where people may fall asleep
• use battery-operated candles and lights as safe and convenient alternatives
• plug only one heat-producing appliance – such as a space heater – into an electrical outlet at a time
• keep anything that can burn at least one metre from any heat source such as a fireplace, wood stove, radiator or space heater
• not bring barbeques or camp stoves inside, preventing carbon monoxide poisoning.

Other safety measures to keep in mind throughout the year include:

• only using lights, electrical cords and power bars that are approved for use in Canada (items that have the CSA, ULC, ETL or other approved certification marks)
• checking lights, cords and power bars for frayed or cracked wires or broken light sockets
• never using outdoor lights or cords indoors nor indoor extension cords outside
• avoiding running extension cords through door jambs or under carpets
• storing cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keeping it outside at least three metres from homes and nearby buildings
• doing the following routine checks and maintenance:
  • testing smoke alarms to ensure they are functioning properly
  • testing carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month
  • having a qualified professional clean and inspect chimneys and vents every year.

Quick Facts:

• in Nova Scotia, half of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February
• December is the peak month for home candle fires
• the leading category of identified fire causes in 2023-24 was “misuse”; this category includes fires caused by cooking left unattended and improperly discarded ignition sources, such as cigarettes

Additional Resources:

National Fire Protection Association: https://www.nfpa.org/