By Charles Lefebvre

Firefighters reminding residents to be fire safe this holiday season

Dec 22, 2017 | 2:24 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Medicine Hat Fire Service is reminding the public to be mindful of increased fire risks during winter, especially with Christmas weekend on the horizon.

Firefighters say the risk of house fire increases during the winter months due to several factors.

“There’s some different hazards at this time of the year,” said Curtis Sjodin, a fire prevention officer with the Medicine Hat Fire Service. “Just with overloading of electrical wires, there’s Christmas trees, their decorations, there’s lots of people who travel to town, a lot of people in your house with big meals happening. There’s definitely some hazards that make it more dangerous.”

Sjodin says a lot of house fires firefighters respond to start in the kitchen, and says with the Christmas season upon us, it’s imperative to keep an eye on what you’re cooking.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

“If you’re cooking a big feast for family in town, make sure to stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking anything,” he said. “If you do have to leave, set a timer, so you don’t forget about it.”

The tree is also something firefighters say homeowners need to be aware of.

“If you have a real Christmas tree…make you you water it every day,” said Sjolie. “We don’t want the needles to dry out. That can be a hazard.

Sjolie adds one in three Christmas tree fires are electrical in nature.

“A lot of times with lights, they’ll overload an electrical outlet right behind the Christmas tree,” he said. “You definitely don’t want to do that.”

Sjolie says the Medicine Hat Fire Service can be called at 403-529-8282 if people have questions about home safety.