Christmas is just around the corner. We have started feeling the Christmas spirit. Everywhere in Vancouver is getting decorated; roads, trees, workplaces, residential houses etc. Unfortunately, some of our Christmas decorations create fire hazards. It is essential to take the necessary precautions to avoid fire for one of the most joyful time of the year.

Smoke alarms and fire alarm inspection would be a great idea to ensure functionality of your smoke alarm and fire alarm before start decorating for Christmas.

Christmas Trees

Christmas tree fires are not common; however, if it happens, it will cause a severe fire.  The following tips should be considered in order to have a safer holiday.

• Ensuring freshness of the tree before buying it. Check the needles physically. They should be green and not falling off when touched.
• Place your tree at least 3 feet away from heaters.
• Cut the bottom of the tree about a couple of inches before placing in a tree stand. Make sure it is placed securely and the stand is filled with water.
• Check the water level daily and add water if needed.
• DO NOT USE lit candles on a tree for any decoration purpose.
• Keep in mind that natural trees have a higher risk of fire than artificial trees.
• If using lighting on a tree, ensure they are turned off before going to bed or leaving home.
• After Christmas, do not leave your tree at home. Dry trees are fire hazards.

The city of Vancouver has a recycling program for Christmas trees. Jan 5 and Jan 6, 2019, you can drop your tree between 10 am to 4 pm to the following locations.

• Parking lot of Kerrisdale Comunity Ice Rink at 5670 E. Blvd, Vancouver, BC.
• Parking lot of Kitsilano Beach
• Parking lot of Sunset Beach
• Parking lot of Trout Lake Community Center at 3360 Victoria Drive, Vancouver.

You could also dispose your tree at Vancouver landfill for free until January 31, 2019.

If you do not have a vehicle to take it to the above disposal areas, the City of Vancouver will collect your tree from your house on January 12 and January 13, 2019. Make sure you set out your tree before 7 am on Jan 12, 2019. Do not leave any decorations on the tree. Place the tree by your green bin. Do not place your tree against your house, lay it on the ground. For more information on disposal of Christmas Trees check the links at the bottom of the article.

Holiday Lights

• Always inspect your lights before re-using them. Make sure there are no broken parts and wires are in good condition.
• Do not overload the electrical circuit.
• Turn the lights off before leaving the house or going to bed.

Outdoor Decoration

• Do not use indoor-rated lights for outdoor.
• Do not daisy-chain extension cords. Get a long enough extension cord for your decoration. Extension cords should be outdoor-rated.
• Avoid overloading your extension cord. Check wattage rating of the extension cord.

Otis Fire Protection provides fire alarm and smoke alarm inspection and installation in Vancouver, Richmond, Abbotsford, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Delta, Aldergrove Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Langley, New Westminster, Mission, and Chilliwack. Contact us for more detail.

Otis Fire Protection provides inspection, testing, maintenance and installation of fire alarm systems, smoke alarms, emergency lighting systems, fire sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, special suppression systems, fire pumps, restaurant suppression systems, fire hydrants, backflow preventers and fire safety plans. We service Metro Vancouver area; Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Delta, Richmond, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, New Westminster, Tsawwassen, Port Moody, Aldergrove, Langley, White Rock, Squamish, Maple Ridge, Abbotsford, Mission, and Chilliwack. Otis Fire provides services in many aspects of fire protection. Please contact Otis Fire online, by email at [email protected] or call us at 604-394-2022 for more information.

Disposal program for Vancouver and Surrey.

• https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/christmas-tree-disposal.aspx

• https://surreyreuses.com/?content=recyclopedia.view&recyclopedia_id=2812