Christmas tips from emergency services

It's the time of year when local emergency services want you to enjoy your holidays safely.

Emergency services from across the area provided the following safety information for our readers.

From Lloydminster Fire Department:

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Your safety is our top priority.

If you need emergency services, call 9-1-1 immediately. Our crews are on duty 24/7, 365 days a year, to serve the City of Lloydminster.

If you see emergency vehicles with lights or sirens activated in your mirror while driving, pull to the right and stop until they have safely passed.

Stay safe and enjoy a happy, fire-free holiday season!

Holiday Safety Tips from the Lloydminster Fire Department

Be Fire-Safe Around Vehicles:

• If you use an extension cord to plug in your vehicle, remember to unplug it when not needed to reduce fire risk.

Water Your Christmas Tree:

• A dry tree can catch fire in seconds, becoming a life-threatening blaze in under 30 seconds. Keep your tree hydrated to prevent this risk, especially with lights and decorations.

Check Your Smoke Alarms

• Ensure working smoke alarms are installed on every floor and outside each sleeping area.
• Close bedroom doors before sleeping—“Close Before You Doze!”
• Remember: Hear the beep where you sleep!

Practice Your Fire Escape Plan

• Plan and practice your family’s fire escape route. Everyone should know where to go in case of an emergency.
  
  

Stay with Your Cooking

• Never leave holiday cooking unattended. Set a timer and stand by your pan.
• Cooking fires are the leading cause of residential fires, with over 50% caused by unattended cooking.

Use Electricity Safely

• Don’t overload outlets or plug power bars into other power bars.
• Use CSA/ULC-certified power bars with surge protectors.
• Avoid purchasing electrical products from uncertified online retailers like Amazon or Temu. These are often not safety tested and may cause fires.
  

Handle Extension Cords Properly

• Extension cords are for temporary use only. Unplug them when not in use.
• Avoid coiling extension cords while plugged in, as this can cause heat buildup and fires.
  

Keep Combustibles Away from Heat Sources

• Keep children, pets, toys, and any flammable items at least 3 feet away from stoves, fireplaces, and space heaters.

Use Safe Space Heaters

• Only use ULC/CSA-approved space heaters that shut off automatically when tipped over.
• Do not leave space heaters plugged in continuously.
  
  

The Lloydminster RCMP had the following message for the Christmas season from Insp. Brian Nichol.

He also provided the following safety tips:

• Avoid leaving your vehicle running unattended, especially with the keys inside.
• Be mindful that vehicles started with a key fob can still be driven away even if the key is not present.
• Vehicles may continue running for a period of time even without the key fob.
• Utilize automatic remote starts where possible instead of leaving a key inside.
• Always lock your vehicle and ensure valuables are out of sight.

Chief Dean Peters from Legacy Fire Department had this to add:

"We have seen several instances of overheated block heater cords," said Peters. Visually inspect the block heater cord and plug in. Make sure they are no exposed wires, damage or overheating."

Auxiliary heaters, for pets or space heaters:

• Check electrical cords for exposed wires
• Check cord plug end for signs of damage or overheating

Block heaters and Auxiliary heaters tend to have a high current draw, which, when coupled with damaged cords, can create a potential for heat buildup and failure, causing fire.

Holiday Safety:

• Do not Overload or compound power bars for Christmas lights. Power bars are susceptible to failure at amperages that won't trip your breaker.
  Monitor your powerbar for heat buildup. If it is getting hot, replace it or remove some of the draws on it.

Road and Outdoor Safety

• Have a vehicle safety kit and a plan visit the government of Canada site  https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/sfttps/tp201012-en.aspx
  Dress for the weather and plan for changes
  
• All local emergency services from the city and the county wish readers a Merry Christmas and a safe 2025.

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