Fire department provides essential guidelines for holiday safety
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue shares essential safety tips to help residents safeguard their families and homes during the winter and holiday season.
Residents are advised to use only CSA-approved light sets and avoid circuit overloads. Lights should be checked for damage, installed with clips instead of staples, and always turned off when not at home or before bedtime.
Ensure all home heating devices, such as furnaces and gas fireplaces, are in proper working order, and keep space heaters a meter away from flammable materials.
Opt for battery-operated flameless candles. If using traditional candles, they should never be left unattended.
Cooking fires remain the leading cause of home fires and injuries. Continue supervising while cooking and never leave it unattended.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause fatal illness when building up unnoticed.
Maintaining a working smoke alarm on every level of a home is crucial. Educate family members on its sound as smoke alarms can save lives.
When choosing a Christmas tree, select one with firmly attached needles. Make a fresh cut at the base, keep it watered, and position it a meter away from heat sources. Ensure artificial trees are fire retardant.
Families should have an emergency escape plan including exit routes in case of a fire. Practice at least two ways out of every room, if feasible.
For more information, visit www.coquitlam.ca/SeasonalSafety.
Media inquiries can be directed to Bryan Eberle, Assistant Chief Fire Prevention at FireRescue@coquitlam.ca or 604-927-6400.
The City of Coquitlam appreciates the name’s origin from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm, meaning ‘Red Fish Up the River,’ recognizing the traditional lands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm and Coast Salish Peoples.