The Department of Justice and Public Safety is kicking off a holiday fire safety campaign to provide tips on how to help you protect yourself and your family this holiday season. Once a week during the month of December, the department will issue a Public Advisory to ensure residents keep fire safety top-of-mind as you celebrate the holidays.

As you begin to ‘Deck the Halls,’ remember that while the lights of the holiday season bring a festive and warm atmosphere to trees, boats and homes, you should take these steps to help manage lights safely:

• Purchase the appropriate lights and accessories for the job. Only use lights and extension cords designated for indoor or outdoor use in their proper setting, and ensure extension cords have a rating that meet your needs.
• Never use lit candles to decorate your tree;
• Purchase the proper clips and hangers for your lights. Avoid using nails, screws and staples;
• Inspect light strings and extension cords before use. If there is any sign of damage to the cords or light sockets, they should not be used;
• Never overload electrical outlets;
• Avoid stringing different light types together. For example, do not plug a string of new LED lights into an older, incandescent one; and
• Never pinch extension cords by running them through doorways or windows.

Follow @JPS_GovNL on Twitter for more holiday safety tips.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety wishes all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador a safe and happy holiday season.

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