Holiday safety

A happy holiday is a safe one. Prevent injuries with these helpful reminders from Hydro One.

photo of a child wearing a red hat playing with a string of holiday lights

No matter how you celebrate, a happy holiday is a safe one. Yet many of the things we do to “deck the halls” and celebrate holiday traditions may pose safety risks in our homes. Here’s our list of three potential holiday safety hazards with helpful hints on how to avoid them. Happy holidays!

 
icon of a tree ornament
Unsafe tools

It’s fun to decorate with festive lights and holiday ornaments, but be sure to use the right tools for the job. Try to avoid metallic ornaments, which can conduct electricity, and look for seasonal decorations that are flame-resistant and certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). It isn’t safe to assume that indoor lights and extension cords can be used outside, or vice versa. And don’t underestimate the risk of burned-out bulbs, exposed electrical wires, broken sockets, damaged lights or loose connections.
 

What to do

 

icon of a wall outlet
Overloaded circuits

Don’t load up too many devices on a single outlet or power bar. Overloaded circuits are a major cause of residential fires and power outages. Watch for flickering or dimming lights, warm light switches or outlets, crackling or sizzling sounds emanating from electrical outlets, and any tingling or mild shocks from touching appliances or light switches – common signs of overloaded circuits. If the power cuts out in one area of your home, that’s a circuit breaker stepping in to protect you. If you trip a circuit breaker, recognize it as a warning sign, and take steps to lower your energy use in that area or install more circuits.
 

What to do

 

icon of a holiday candle
Fire risks

Fire departments know that preventable residential fires are more frequent during the holidays. Don’t forget that seasonal decorations, twinkling lights, candles and Christmas trees introduce fire hazards into your home. Dried-out Christmas trees and garlands are a common cause of fire, and the longer they adorn your home, the drier they get. Candles are another common cause. In fact, candles left unattended account for almost half of residential fires caused by decorations.
 

What to do

 





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