A recent Christmas tree fire in a Toronto low-rise has put the spotlight on the importance of fire safety and educating tenants around holiday-related fire hazards. According to the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), the holiday season is statistically the deadliest for residential fires with one-third of Christmas tree fires occurring in January.

“Each year, we see a rise in the number of fatal fires and fire deaths starting in November and continuing into January, making this the deadliest time of year for fires in Ontario,” said John McBeth, Ontario Fire Marshal and Acting Chair of the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council in a press release.

The OFM launched a campaign through December to educate the public about common fire hazards associated with the festive season, from ensuring trees are properly watered to keeping space heaters a safe distance from curtains. Common causes of Christmas tree fires include: electrical problems; trees positioned too close to candles and fireplaces; damaged string lights; and un-watered trees that are left up too long into the new year.

Meanwhile, poor building conditions are also known to be leading causes of fire and injury in low-rise multi-unit residential housing. According to the City of Toronto, factors  include: renovations done without the required permits and approvals; inadequate exits for Basement, 2nd, and 3rd Floors; lack of an interconnected smoke alarm or fire alarm system throughout the building; interior finishes not done to Code, increasing speed of flame spread; and lack of proper electrical upgrades to accommodate increased electrical loads.