The winter holiday season is a time for celebration with friends and family. Cooking, decorations, Christmas trees, lights and candles are all apart of the season but there are risks associated with each of them. Lions Bay Fire Rescue would like to ensure that you and your family have a safe and joyous holiday by providing you with some seasonal safety tips.

Keep these safety tips in mind when entertaining:

• Unattended cooking is a leading cause of fire in North America. Be attentive to your guests, but also keep an eye on what is happening in the kitchen.
• Be sure to provide smokers with large clean ashtrays, and at the end of the evening be sure to completely douse the butts with water before discarding.
• Candles create a wonderful atmosphere but should be used with caution. Don’t leave candles burning unattended, and make sure they are not near any decorations or other combustible materials.

Many of our homes will have a decorated Christmas tree. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use tree lights.  Any string of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb connections should not be used.
• Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and place them well away from tree branches.
• Try to keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water daily. Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles.
• Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.
• When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet (one meter) away from any heat source and try to position it near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances. Do not place the tree where it may block exits.
• Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house.

The holidays are a great time of the year to take a look at the safety equipment in your home. Check to make sure your smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors are in place and have charged batteries. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher that is charged, inspected, and your family knows how to use it. Finally make sure your family is familiar in what to do in an emergency.