Install CO alarms outside all sleeping areas if your home has an attached garage. Test CO alarms monthly and change the batteries once a year.

Get an annual inspection of fuel-burning appliances and vents by a registered contractor. Prevent CO poisoning and install CO alarms adjacent to all sleeping areas.

Get an annual inspection of fuel-burning appliances and vents by a registered contractor. It could save you from deadly CO poison.

Many homes in Ontario have an average of 4-6 fuel-burning appliances that produce CO. Find out where you need a CO alarm if you live in a condo/apartment building.

Landlords must ensure CO alarms are installed and maintained in rental properties. Tenants, remember to test your CO alarms every month by simply pressing the test button. It's against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with CO alarms in any way.

It's the law! Install carbon monoxide alarms. If you have fuel-burning appliances, install CO alarms adjacent to all sleeping areas.

Get an annual inspection of fuel-burning appliances and vents by a registered contractor. It could save you from deadly CO poison.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. Use outdoor-rated LED lights and hang with nail-free clips this year. Cut your loss and toss damaged strings – an electrical fire is a sure bet for a lousy holiday. Make the holidays even brighter with working smoke alarms!

TREE WATERING. Falling needles = a dried out tree and potential fire. Don't be a statistic: water your tree daily, keep heat sources away from the tree including furnace vents and non-LED lights. The best gifts under that tree are working smoke alarms in your home!

CANDLES & DECORATIONS. Holiday decorations and open flames are a fire hazard all too common this season. Use battery-powered candles, keep candles away from pets and children, put candles in sturdy containers and always blow out when you leave the room.

'Tis the season for fire safety! Most fatal fires occur during the holidays. When seconds matter, a working smoke alarm is the gift of time in the event of a fire. An alarm on every storey, tested monthly, and batteries replaced annually, is the best gift you'll give your family.

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odourless, and deadly gas that can cause flu-like symptoms. A CO alarm can alert you to a potential CO emergency with four beeps and is the best way to protect your family from The Silent Killer.

EXTENSION CORDS. Extension cords should only be used with certified devices as a temporary solution. If you need more power, call a licensed electrician for more outlets, don't overload a circuit, and never run cords under a rug.

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN. Holiday baking with children this holiday season? Keep an eye on your bakers and remember to never leave the oven unattended. Safety first, cookies second! Make your holidays cheerful and sound—test your smoke alarms year-round!

HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLANS. Give your family the gift of peace of mind with a home fire escape plan and have two ways out of every room to ensure your loved ones are prepared for the worst so you can focus on the best: festive cheer!

COOKING. Holidays are stressful. Go slow in the kitchen and avoid being a statistic. 17% of fires in Ontario are cooking-related, mostly caused when the stove is left unattended. Be mindful when cooking and never leave the kitchen while using a stove.

HEATING SOURCES. Practice fire safety this Winter Solstice with space heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces. Keep at least one metre (3 feet) distance between your heat source and combustibles, like paper and fabrics. Make the holidays happy with working smoke alarms!

SMOKING. Cigarettes are Ontario's number one cause of fatal fires. This season, have all smoking done outside using deep, sturdy ashtrays. Never flick your butt – a lit butt might be the difference between a holiday to remember and a holiday you'll never forget.

There's a good chance gifts exchanged this season have lithium-ion batteries which may pose a fire risk. Stay fire safe and don't overcharge, use mismatched chargers, homemade batteries, or aftermarket replacements. Make the holidays happy with working smoke alarms!

After over 20 years of dedicated service to Essex Fire and Rescue Services, Firefighter Shawn Holliday has announced his retirement. We would like to thank Shawn for his hard work, commitment, and dedication over the years. Please join us in congratulating Shawn!