The holidays can be a beautiful time of year, with the soft glow of twinkling lights near a roaring fire while the smell from fresh baking fills the room.

But the combination of holiday decor and traditions can have devastating results. Langford Fire Chief Chris Aubrey offered some advice for West Shore resident to help prevent holiday disasters from occurring.

B次元官网网址淐ooking is the number one cause of house fires,B次元官网网址� Aubrey said, regardless what time of year it is. But since the holidays can be hectic, with lots of baking or cooking, itB次元官网网址檚 easy to become distracted while somethingB次元官网网址檚 on the stove or in the oven. While Aubrey said he didnB次元官网网址檛 want to discourage anyone from these great holiday traditions, he noted B次元官网网址渨e want to make sure people are safe while doing that.B次元官网网址�

Although he said they are seeing fewer fires directly related to Christmas, there is always that risk associated with decorations as well as cooking.

B次元官网网址淣ever leave a candle unattended B次元官网网址� I canB次元官网网址檛 tell you how many times IB次元官网网址檝e been to a fire where someone lit a candle and walked away and came back to the entire room on fire,B次元官网网址� Aubrey said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e beautiful and often come with beautiful scents that make your house smell nice but we do have to treat them with respect.B次元官网网址�

If you are burning candles, he suggested avoiding long, tapered varieties and instead opt for something with a thick, sturdy base. He added itB次元官网网址檚 also important to make sure candles are contained in a non-combustible container, that way as they burn down they continue to be protected by the container.

The holidays are also a great time to speak with your kids about fire safety and candles.

And while Aubrey joked firefighters are fortunate that the majority of residents are no longer using candles on live Christmas tree, there are still some concerns that come along with bringing a tree inside your home.

B次元官网网址淵ou just have to make sure theyB次元官网网址檙e well watered,B次元官网网址� he explained. While it may originally be a safe distance from a heat source such as a fireplace, B次元官网网址渁s the tree dries out the threshold gets less and less B次元官网网址� [and] now itB次元官网网址檚 too close.B次元官网网址�

Besides making sure trees are a safe distance from heat, itB次元官网网址檚 also important to check the wiring of all lights B次元官网网址� including your outdoor strands. If any wires are frayed, split or shorting out, Aubrey noted they need to be disposed of.

He added itB次元官网网址檚 also important to B次元官网网址渓imit the use of powerbars and extension cords so theyB次元官网网址檙e not overloading your house.B次元官网网址�

If you have guests or family members staying with you during the season, make sure they know all of the emergency exits and where any fire extinguishers and alarms are placed.

Caring for the outside of your home can be just as important in the event of a disaster. Make sure all driveways and walkways are clear of leaves, debris, ice or snow. This provides easy access to your home for you and anyone visiting, including first responders.

If you need to be on a ladder or your roof in the coming weeks, Aubrey suggested waiting for a clear day thatB次元官网网址檚 not icy to tackle outside jobs such as clearing gutters and hanging Christmas lights. He added you can utilize a break in the weather now when itB次元官网网址檚 safer to hang lights but donB次元官网网址檛 have to turn them on until later in the season. B次元官网网址淛ust take precautions when putting the lights up,B次元官网网址� he said, adding itB次元官网网址檚 also important to make sure someone is home and holding the ladder.

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editor@goldstreamgazette.com