This holiday season, the Kelowna Fire Department (KFD) is sharing safety tips to ensure your festivities are full of sparkle not spark.
“It’s important to keep safety top-of-mind despite the hustle and bustle of the season,” said Paul Johnson, Fire Prevention Officer, Kelowna Fire Department. “Each year, we respond to a number of holiday-related fires, most of which are preventable. Simple reminders can make a big difference in ensuring the holidays remain safe for all.”
Johnson says a fire can easily start with a dry Christmas tree, after someone walks away from a pot on the stovetop, or when a turkey in the oven is left unattended. He recommends keeping holiday gatherings safe with the following tips:
In addition to holiday entertaining safety tips, KFD shares these Christmas tree safety tips:
Johnson also reminds the public about the use of fireworks in the city.
“We have noticed an increase in the use of fireworks during New Year's celebrations over the last few years. We would like to remind the public that using fireworks in the city is prohibited unless you are certified through Natural Resources Canada as a fireworks operator and have a valid fireworks permit from the fire department.”
For more information on fire safety for the holidays, visit kelowna.ca/fire. For cooking safety, the fire department recommends the public view our “fire safety in the kitchen” video which is posted on the City of Kelowna Fire Department website.