The Christmas season is a magical time of year. This is when we decorate our homes, sit by a cozy fire and sip hot chocolate (or hot toddies), bake our families favourite holiday treats and create a winter wonderland for all to see.
Before you start preparing your home for this special time of year, take a look at some safety tips to keep in the back of your mind, so everyone in your home is happy and out of harms way. 

1. Always use non-flammable decorations, both indoors and outdoors. You can check for a fire-resistant label on artificial trees. 
2. Check holiday light strands for damaged or broken wires and plugs. Enjoy indoor lights only while someone is at home, and turn them off before going to bed.
3. Keep live Christmas trees in a water-filled stand and check daily for dehydration. Dried-out trees are extremely dangerous and should be discarded immediately.
4. Candles add lovely ambience to your holiday home. Place them in stable holders and keep them away from flammable items, drafts, pets and children.
5. Children should not have access to or be allowed to use matches, lighters or candles.
6. Keep space heaters away from bedding, curtains, paper—anything flammable. Never leave a space heater unattended while in use.
7. Busy with holiday cooking and baking? Kitchen fires are the leading cause of house fires. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher within easy reach and know how to use it.
8. Be mindful of poisonous holiday plants. Certain plants can be hazardous to your family or pets. Poinsettias, holly, mistletoe and real Christmas trees are a few plants/tree's that can be toxic to your pets.
9. Check your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
10. Do not put too many things on extension cords : Make sure you don't overextend electrical outlets, or they could short out.