Make The Champlain's Holiday Wishes come True!

Champlain Township, December 12, 2024 - Champlain Director of Fire and Emergency Services Ghislain Pigeon has a holiday wish and he needs your help to make it come true.

“I’m wishing for a fire-free holiday season this year,” said Pigeon. “But I need you to make this come true!”

While fire can happen anywhere, at anytime, it most often strikes when we let our guard down - when we’re distracted by the hustle and bustle of the holidays, by our cellphones, by the kids or by the doorbell. All it takes is for a pot to be left on the stove, or a candle left burning unattended, and a family’s holiday celebrations can turn to tragedy.

“Never leave a cooking pot unattended on the stove,” continued Ghislain Pigeon, “and consider using battery-operated or electric flameless candles.”

Smoking is another 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,” continued Chief Pigeon. “Ashes should be emptied in a metal container – not the garbage can – and put outside.”

The Champlain Fire & Emergency Department also reminds you to maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home. Install smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. CO alarms are required outside all bedrooms. Test your smoke and CO alarms every month and install new batteries if needed.

Enjoy a fire safe holiday season by following these tips

• Use outdoor-rated LED lights and hand with nail-free clips this year.
• Water your tree daily, keep heat sources away from the tree including furnace vents and non-LED lights. 
• Use battery-powered candles, keep candles away from pets and children, put candles in sturdy containers and always blow out when you leave the room.
• Extension cords should only be used with certified devices as a temporary solution. If you need more power, call a licensed electrician for more outlets, don’t overload a circuit, and never run cords under a rug.
• Keep an eye on your bakers and remember to never leave the oven unattended.
• 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.
• Keep at least one metre (3 feet) distance between your heat source and combustibles, like paper and fabrics.
• Stay fire safe and don’t overcharge, use mismatched chargers, homemade batteries, or aftermarket replacements.