Sarnia Fire and Rescue Services has started its annual two week campaign to promote safety.
Public Education Officer Mike Otis said they want to keep families out of harm's way over the holidays.
"The 12 Days of Fire and CO Safety is a collaboration we do with the Fire Marshal's Public Safety Council each year," said Otis. "It's 12 different tips, over 12 days, leading up to Christmas, all to do with fire and CO [carbon monoxide] safety. Potentially life saving tips."
Otis said statistics show that Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the busiest times of year for fires.
"Cooking fires is the number one cause of house fires any time of year, but it is even worse over the holidays. People are distracted, they have a lot of people over, there's a lot more cooking, maybe some alcohol."
Otis said the number of fire-related injuries and fatalities also increases.
"It's law in Ontario to have a CO alarm on any level where there's a sleeping area and in any home with a fuel burning appliance. We [also] recommend battery powered candles, as a safety alternative to real candles and if you do use real candles, keep them away from pets and children and anywhere that they can be knocked down easily."
Otis said real Christmas trees become a fire hazard if they're not watered daily and chimney fires are another concern over the winter months.
"It is important to have your chimneys inspected before your first fire each year."
Otis said space heater fires are also common over the colder months.
"Always keep space heaters one metre or three feet away from any combustibles and turn them off when you're not in the room."
And although your Christmas lights are likely already up, Otis said it's important to check them each year for damaged wires.
"We want to make sure that you use the proper light for the proper job. So, indoor lights indoors, outdoor lights outdoors, never overuse extension cords, never running extension cords under rugs... things like that."
103.9 FM / 1070 AM CHOK has partnered with Sarnia Fire for the awareness campaign and will give away prize packages from December 12 to 23.
