FESTIVE LIGHTS

Winter Solstice, the shortest day, falls on December 21st this year. During these dark days and festive nights, we feel the urge to bring other sources of light into our darkened homes. Although the lights add warmth and beauty to our surroundings, here are some suggestions for keeping your home safe this holiday season:

• Use only lights marked with an accredited certification agency such as CSA, cUL or cETL. Check the alerts page of the Government of Canada for the latest recalls.
• Check extension cords to make sure it is rated for the appropriate use; indoor extension cords should not be used outdoors.
• Be sure to turn off holiday lights before leaving your home or going to bed.
• Inspect all light strings and extension cords discarding any with frayed or exposed wiring.
• Check all your bulbs before putting them up and replace them with ones recommended by the manufacturer.
• Avoid overloading circuits by plugging too many devices into one outlet.
• If possible, use battery-operated candles instead of traditional open flame candles.
• Always keep burning candles away from inflammable items and within sight, making sure to extinguish all candles before leaving a room.

For more tips on holiday safety, visit the Government of Canada page, https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/home-safety/tips-holiday-safety.html