The holidays are a time to decorate, get together, and celebrate the advent of a new year. They’re also a time to practice good fire safety. Candles, Christmas trees, even the holiday dinner, are all potential fire hazards so it’s a good time of year to share some fire safety tips with your tenants.

Holiday fire safety – tips for safe celebrating

The incidences of residential fires increase significantly over the holidays, according to Canada Safety Council, which says decorations such as Christmas trees are a common culprit.

Fresh Christmas trees should always have plenty of water so they don’t dry out and become a combustion risk. They should be kept away from any potential ignition source like a fireplace or heaters.

Artificial trees are generally fire resistant, but always check the manufacturer label to be sure. And hang fire-proof ornaments – real candles might look pretty but they’re not worth the risk. 

Whether they’re stringing lights around the tree, or decorating outdoor areas, your tenants should always check the cords and bulbs to make sure they’re not frayed or damaged. If they’re using extension cords to keep everything lit, they should be tucked out of the way so they’re not a tripping hazard and, again, free from damage.

Additional dos and don’ts for the festive season

• Keep kids and pets away from lit candles and other open flames
• Never leave lit candles unattended and keep them in a sturdy container, on a stable surface
• Store matches and lighters out of reach in a high cabinet
• Don’t leave cooking unattended. If you’re in the kitchen, monitor what’s on the stove and in the oven
• Ask smokers to smoke outside, and keep all their smoking materials with them

Make an escape plan

If the worst happens, you need to know your tenants can exit the building calmly and safely so it’s worth going through a home fire escape plan with them. This should cover preparations like making sure windows and doors can be quickly opened and unlocked, as well as what to do in the event of a fire:

• Evacuate immediately
• If there’s smoke, stay low, crawling if necessary
• Assist young children or seniors if they’re in the building
• Stay outside, keep a safe distance, and call 911 from a cell phone or a neighbour’s phone 

Year-round fire safety

Of course, safety isn’t just for the holidays. Making sure you’re property is free from hazards is one of your legal responsibilities as a landlord. 

The Ontario Fire Code requires all Toronto landlords to install smoke alarms in the hallway of dwelling units where sleeping areas are served by a hallway, or between the sleeping area and the remainder of the unit when not served by a hallway. Smoke alarms must be permanently connected to an electrical circuit with no disconnect switch, or be battery-operated.

Landlords in the GTA are also responsible for installing one carbon monoxide alarm per sleeping unit in all buildings with residential occupancy and a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace, or a storage garage. 

Both the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be tested regularly to make sure they’re still in good working order. According to the Fire Code, they need to be tested annually and/or after a change in tenancy, but it’s also a good idea to test them just before the festive season to give you and your tenants complete peace of mind throughout the holidays.

If you or your tenants have any questions about fire safety, visit the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs or Canada Safety Council for more tips and resources.