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🕯️ Candle Safety: Burn Bright, Burn Safe

Candles can add warmth and ambiance to any space—but if used improperly, they can also pose a serious fire risk. Many candle-related fires are caused by human error or poor design. Here’s how to enjoy candles safely in your home.

✅ Safe Candle Use at Home

Follow these tips to reduce the risk of fire and injury:

  • Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the label.
  • Trim the wick to 5–7 mm (¼ inch) before lighting, and again every 2–3 hours to prevent high flames.
  • Be extra cautious with multi-wick candles, which can burn hotter and faster.
  • Use sturdy, heat-resistant candleholders that won’t tip over. Avoid wood, plastic, or thin glass holders that can catch fire or shatter.
  • Never drop objects like matches or debris into the wax.
  • Keep candles away from anything flammable—curtains, bedding, paper, and furniture.
  • Extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to sleep.
  • Avoid candles with lead-core wicks, which can release harmful toxins.
  • Don’t use decorative oil lamps with liquid fuel if you have young children in the home.

👶 Keep Candles Away from Children & Pets

  • Always place candles out of reach of children and pets.
  • Teach children that candles are not toys and should never be touched, eaten, or played with.
  • Never leave a child or pet alone in a room with a burning candle.

 

🎄🎃 Holiday Fire Safety Guide

Celebrate Safely All Season Long

The holidays are a time for joy, family, and celebration—but they also bring increased fire risks. Whether you're decorating a Christmas tree or lighting up Halloween night, these tips will help keep your home and loved ones safe.

🎄 Christmas Tree Safety

Choosing a Tree:

  • For artificial trees, look for a label that says “Fire Resistant.”
  • For live trees, choose one that’s green and fresh—needles should be hard to pull off and not brittle.
  • A fresh tree will have a sticky trunk base and won’t shed many needles when tapped.

Setting Up Your Tree:

  • Place your tree away from heat sources like fireplaces and radiators.
  • Keep it out of foot traffic and clear of doorways.
  • Water your tree daily to prevent it from drying out.

Tree Disposal:

  • Do not leave trees on sidewalks or boulevards.
  • Options include:
    • Taking it to the Church Road Transfer Station
    • Watching for community chipping events (check local news)
    • Hiring a disposal service
    • Storing it for the City’s spring wood chipping program

🎃 Halloween Safety

Costumes:

  • Choose flame-resistant or flame-retardant costumes, wigs, and accessories.
  • Avoid long, trailing fabric that could catch fire.
  • Teach children to stay away from open flames and practice STOP, DROP, and ROLL.

If Clothes Catch Fire:

  1. STOP immediately
  2. DROP to the ground and cover your face
  3. ROLL over and over to smother the flames

Candles:

  • Use flashlights or battery-operated candles instead of real flames.
  • Never leave candles unattended or burn them for more than 4 hours.
  • Trim wicks and use long matches to light them safely.
  • Keep all candles, matches, and lighters out of reach of children.

Decorations:

  • Keep flammable decorations like crepe paper, cornstalks, and dried flowers away from heat sources.
  • Ensure all exits are clear of decorations.

🧯 General Holiday Fire Safety Tips

  • Water fresh trees daily or keep the base submerged.
  • Inspect lights before decorating—replace damaged sets.
  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
  • Have a fire escape plan and practice it with your family.
  • Use extension cords safely—don’t overload outlets or power bars.
  • Keep space heaters at least 1 metre from anything flammable.
  • Blow out candles when leaving a room or going to bed.
  • Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
  • Stay in the kitchen while cooking.
  • Encourage smokers to smoke outside.
  • If serving alcohol, ensure guests drink responsibly to avoid accidents.

Last updated: June 20, 2025

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