Celebrate the holiday season safely, and get the New Year off to a good start!

During the holiday season, the use of fireplaces, candles and Christmas garlands increases considerably the risks of fire. The Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) wishes to remind you a few elementary safety rules.

Christmas decorations should not be an open invitation to fire!

Inside public buildings: softwood tree species are forbidden

In all public gathering places - hotels, schools, reception halls, hospital institutions and relief institutions - it is forbidden to use softwood tree species or their branches for decorative purposes. These species include pine, fir, spruce, cedar, etc. It is also forbidden to use decorative streamers or banners made of any flammable material, crepe paper for example, except if they have a sufficient degree of flame resistance.

At home, decorate safely!

• Make sure that your decorations and chaser lights bear a certification seal.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions with regard to the interior or exterior use of the equipment.
• Do not overload the power system.
• If you decorate a natural Christmas tree, be twice as cautious!
• Never let a tree lit unattended.

In private dwellings: never omit keeping your Christmas tree hydrated, and keep a watch on your decorations!

If you decorate a natural Christmas tree, you must take certain precautionary measures:

• Chose a freshly cut tree. If the needles fall off easily, look for another one.
• Cut the base of the trunk tapered, then place the tree in a recipient full of water.
• Do not let your tree lit and unattended. In other words, turn off the chaser lights when you go to bed and before you go out.
• Avoid overloading the power system.
• Another advice that shouldn’t be ignored: never buy and decorate your tree several weeks in advance. Not only by the time the holidays come in full swing, will the tree have seen better days, but it will also become a serious potential fire hazard! If you opt for an artificial tree made of metallic material, do not decorate it with any electrical light sets!

Heating systems: beware of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning!

The RBQ recommends having your direct-fired heating system verified by a qualified contractor.

Whatever the type of fuel used (wood, pellets, anthracite [stone coal], fuel oil, natural gas or propane), a good over-fire draft and a full combustion venting is necessary for your heating system to operate correctly.

Beware of CO!

Carbon monoxide (CO), which can be given off by a heating system, is an odourless gas that is potentially deadly!

The installation of a carbon monoxide detector is recommended to detect the presence of this gas. An investment of only a few dollars… that can save lives!

Chimney sweeping

A chimney should be cleaned at least yearly. Have you done it this year?

Elimination of ashes

When you remove the ashes from a fireplace or a solid fuel-fired equipment, store these outside of the house, away from all combustible surface (walls made of vinyl or wood, wooden patio, garden house, etc.).

When you entertain to dinner…

The use of a fondue warmer: never fill up a burner that is still hot or even warm! Never add liquid fuel in the burner if it has just been used, even if there isn’t any flame visible. If you cannot wait for it to get completely cold, have some additional burners handy to use instead. Your guests will be thankful of your foresight!

Candles: under close watch!

If you use candles, see to it that they are placed firmly inside recipients large enough to contain the spills. Do not forget to blow the candles out when the party is over!

Be cautious with the centerpieces where candles are placed alongside other flammable items such as party hats, branches, ribbons, etc.