Waterloo Fire reminding us to stay safe during the holiday season

Waterloo Fire is reminding everyone to stay safe this holiday season, especially if you happen to be hosting a party or event at home.

John Percy is Public Education Officer for Waterloo Fire, he says the leading cause of fires during the season continues to be unattended cooking.

Percy says anyone cooking should always be mindful of pots on burners, and never leave the kitchen with anything on the stove.

One of the most common incidents Waterloo Fire sees is kitchen fires, and says if a pot does happen to catch fire, there is one thing you don’t want to do.

“If the pot ever catches on fire the best way to put it out is take an oven mitt, and slide the lid over it. That will take away the oxygen and put the fire out. What you don’t want to do is don’t take that pot and put it in the sink and put water in it, because you will have an instant explosion.”

Aside from fires in the kitchen, Percy adds there also continues to be a large amount of fires stemming from smoking.

“Smoking is one of the leading causes as well. If people are under alcohol consumption, or even if they have medication in them, that could affect their judgement when it comes to cooking in the kitchen or reaction time to fires”

Percy also gives a special warning to anyone with a real Christmas tree this season.

He says Christmas trees can easily go up in flames if not properly cared for.

“You need to keep these Christmas trees away from a heat source, the vents, the furnace, a fire place. They do dry up really quickly, so its important to remember to water them. If there is an ignition source of some sort like a candle nearby, they can catch fire, and they go up really quickly.”