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Fire safety tips for the holiday season

January 3, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The holidays are a time for joy, family, and celebration, but they are also the peak season for home fires.

The Town of New Tecumseth and the Fire Marshal’s office are providing 12 fire safety tips to help keep you and your home and family safe during the holiday season.

Holiday lights

Use outdoor-rated LED lights and hang them with nail-free clips. Don’t use lights with damaged cords. Just throw them out.

Tree watering

Falling needles and a dried-out tree are a real fire hazard. Water your tree daily and keep heat sources away from the tree, including furnace vents and non-LED lights.

Candles and decorations

Holiday decorations and open flames are a serious fire hazard. Used battery-powered candles. Keep candles away from pets and children, and always extinguish candles when you leave the room.

Smoke Alarms

Most fatal fires occur during the holidays. When seconds matter, a working smoke alarm is your first warning of trouble. Make sure your smoke alarms work and test them monthly.

Carbon monoxide alarms

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless, and deadly gas, often called the silent killer. A CO alarm can alert you to a potential CO emergency.

Extension cords

Extension cords should only be used with certified devices as a temporary solution. Don’t overload a circuit and never run cords under a rug.

Kids in the kitchen

If you are baking with children during the holiday season, make sure to never leave them unattended.

Home fire escape plans

Create a home fire escape plan and ensure there are two ways out of every room.

Cooking

Seventeen per cent of fires in Ontario are cooking-related. Most kitchen fires are caused by leaving a stove unattended. Never leave the kitchen while using a stove.

Heating sources

Practice fire safety when using space heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces. Keep at least one metre distance between your heat source and combustibles.

Smoking

Cigarettes are Ontario’s number one cause of fatal fires. Have all smoking done outside using deep, sturdy ashtrays. Never flick your butt. A lit butt might be the difference between a holiday to remember and a holiday you’ll never forget.

Lithium-ion batteries

There’s a good chance that gifts exchanged this season have lithium-ion batteries, which may pose a fire risk. Don’t overcharge batteries, use mismatched chargers, homemade batteries, or aftermarket replacements.

By following these simple fire safety tips, you can enjoy the holidays and avoid disaster.

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