How to stay safe during the holiday season

As fun festivities begin, the Canadian government, SickKids and fire departments in the Waterloo Region are reminding families of the higher safety risks during the holiday season.

Fire risks

The Guelph Fire Department’s Prevention Chief had a few tips.

Chief Tony Sabatini shared with CTV News that if natural Christmas trees remain unwatered they can dry out and become flammable. The federal government suggests on their website that natural Christmas trees should be watered daily and kept away from doorways and busy areas.

Sabatini said calls for trees catching fire typically come between Christmas and New Years, when the trees become older and dried out.

"People forget to water them and then when they have the decorations on them, especially with electricity, the lights themselves can actually cause the tree to go up in flames,” said Sabatini.

He also explained that smoke alarms are the most important things to check ahead of the holidays, as the lack of them has caused the most deaths. Sabatini said that testing the batteries of the smoke alarms and ensuring the batteries are working is very important.

Sabatini urges homeowners to have a fire escape plan ready and be prepared before an emergency happens.

Finally, he said everyone should be careful with some of the presents under the tree.

“Receiving gifts with lithium ion batteries can be exciting, so always monitor the batteries when charging,” said Sabatini.

The Kitchener Fire Department also reminded the public about holiday dangers. They just wrapped up a social media campaign called 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety, which highlighted potential fire risks to look out for during this time of year.

Their posts reminded everyone to inspect Christmas lights, water natural Christmas trees and keep them away from heating units.

The federal government suggests those buying lights should buy from accredited certification agencies, such as CSA cUL or cETL.

The fire department also warns the public to test and replace batteries in both smoke and carbon dioxide detectors, use flameless candles, use extension cords and don’t overload electrical units, keep an eye on children while operating kitchen appliances, never leave the stove or oven unattended, keep space heaters at least three feet away from flammable items, avoid careless smoking and ensure you have a fire escape plan in place.

Keeping children safe

In the hustle and bustle of large holiday gatherings, children sometimes have the biggest risks. SickKids shared a few tips on their website, on how to keep young ones safe while they have fun.

Keeping kids supervised during the holidays is important. SickKids recommends designating a person from the party to be in charge of them or to hire a babysitter for the evening.

They also shared that holly and mistletoe should be kept away from children since they’re poisonous and can cause skin irritation and upset stomach.

Cleaning as you go is recommended to keep unsafe items such as toothpicks, beer cans and cigarette butts away from children, off the floor and in the garbage.

SickKids recommended keeping sharp and breakable decorations high and away from kids. Keeping fragile ornaments nearest to the top of the tree is safer.

Tripping hazards such as wires and extension cords should be tucked away to prevent any trips or falls.

Parents are suggested to inspect toys before giving them to kids. Make sure they’re in good condition with no small parts or strings that a young child could swallow or choke on. Read labels to make sure the toy is for the appropriate age group..

Travelling safely

SickKids warns that spending more time on the road during the holidays may lead to extra frustration and fatigue when driving. They suggest giving yourself extra time when heading to holiday events and avoiding any rush.

They also suggest any holiday fliers with children to ensure the appropriate car seat or booster is packed for younger children.