Fire department urges safety over holidays

Vernon Fire Rescue Services wants people to be safe over the holidays and in the winter months.

With the additional decorations up and people settling in to a routine of having fires or the heat turned up, the fire department encourages people to make sure they are avoiding potential hazards, and has a number of tips for people to follow.

Christmas Tree and Holiday Decor Safety

• Real trees should be fresh with green needles and watered daily
• Keep the tree at least one metre away from all heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, heat vents and candles
• Make sure the tree does not block an exit
• Replace lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections
• Do not decorate trees with candles
• Use flame resistant or flame retardant decorations
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed