At the beginning of the holiday season, a good first step is to dig out those holiday decoration boxes and take stock of what you have.

Let's talk about lights. Take inventory of your existing light strings and other electric decorations:

• Are they for indoor or outdoor use? Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors.
• Are the cords worn or broken? Are there loose bulb connections? Recycle them. ProductCare Recycling will likely take your damaged lights. Find a recycling location here.
• How many strings can be connected together? Check manufacturer’s instructions.

Ready to hang those lights and arrange those candles? Be safe when decorating:

• Know your limits when installing lights. Be sure to have the appropriate gear, like ladders and good footwear, to install lights both outdoors and indoors.
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords don’t get damaged.
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors.
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn. Better yet, choose flameless candles. Many battery-operated LED candles can look just like the real thing.

Leaving the house or going to bed?

• Blow out all candles. Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Turn off or unplug all indoor and outdoor lights.

Learn more: BC's Office of the Fire Commissioner reminded to prevent fires involving holiday decorations

If a Christmas tree is a part of your plans and permitted where you live (renters should always check with their landlords), we have a few tips to help keep it a joy to be around, and not a dangerous fire hazard.

Picking a tree

Fresh trees

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that bend rather than break, and that do not fall off when touched.
• Choose a tree with a stump that's sticky with resin.

Artificial trees

Be sure to select an artificial tree made of flame-resistant or flame-retardant material.

Placing the tree

Fresh trees

• Select a tree stand with a broad base, good balance, and lots of space for water.
• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2" from the base of the trunk.
• Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

All trees

• Whether your tree is real or artificial, make sure it is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents, or lights.
• Make sure your tree is not blocking an exit.

Lighting the tree

All trees

• Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands that are safe to connect.
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Disposing of the tree

Be sure to dispose of fresh trees after Christmas. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard that should not be left in the home, in the garage, or outside the home. An easy way to dispose of your tree is through the Christmas Tree Chipping for Charity event. Stay tuned for this year's details!

For many people, December means more time cooking and baking at home. Cooking fires are the leading cause of house fires. Your best defence? Stay present and alert while cooking.

• Reduce the risk of cooking fires by being alert. You may not be fully alert if you are tired, drowsy, or impaired by alcohol, cannabis, other drugs, or certain medications.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
• Keep things that can catch fire—potholders, oven mitts, paper or plastic bags, curtains—away from your stove top.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and can catch fire if it comes in contact with a gas flame or electric burner.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 1 metre around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

Other food tips: 

• Open microwaved food slowly, away from the face. Hot steam from a container of microwaved food or the food itself can cause burns.
• Never heat a baby bottle in a microwave oven because it heats liquids unevenly. Heat baby bottles in warm water.

Got a burn? Treat it right away, putting it in cool water. Cool the burn for three to five minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth. If the burn is bigger than your fist, or if you have any questions, get medical help right away.

What if, despite your best efforts, you do end up with a small grease or oven cooking fire?

• Stove top: Smother flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner.
• Oven: Turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
• Remember: Never pour water or use a fire extinguisher on a cooking pan grease fire. Use another pot, a baking pan, or lots of baking soda to smother the flames instead.

If you have any doubt, get out!

• When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 911 from outside your home.