Holiday home safety: Reno expert shares tips for fire prevention, electrical safety

Grey Isle Design co-founder Ryan Thompson gives safety tips to prepare you for the holiday season.

As Canadians gear up for the holiday season, a home renovation expert is urging homeowners to take simple, but critical steps to keep their home safe.

From choosing the right fire extinguisher to avoiding electrical hazards, Ryan Thompson told CTV’s Your Morning Wednesday that many seasonal accidents can be prevented with planning.

Thompson, co-founder of Grey Isle Design, says the first line of defence in any home is a properly selected fire extinguisher.

“If you get the wrong type of fire extinguisher and you use it to put out a fire, you can actually worsen fire or create an explosion,” he said.

He explained that kitchen extinguishers, also known as “Class K,” extinguishers, are specifically meant to handle grease fires, while a standard ABC extinguisher covers other parts of the home.

A larger, heavy duty extinguisher is recommended for garages, where fuel and chemicals are stored.

Thompson said stores simplify the process by specifying on the label its designated area of use.

“It’s a good idea to have one in the kitchen, one in your living room, one upstairs, because you don’t want to be running downstairs to get a extinguisher, and then one in your garage,” he explained.

Homeowners should also check expiration dates, which are clearly marked on the canister, he added.

Holiday lights

When it comes to hanging holiday lights - a tradition that puts many people on ladders - Thompson stresses never working alone.

“It’s good to have somebody spotting your ladder, but then it’s also good to have somebody helping you with the lights, stringing them on the ground, as well, because you don’t want to be up there trying to balance,” Thompson said.

He also warned against overloading circuits, especially for those who “go hard for Christmas” with lights and displays.

According to Thompson, many modern lights are designed to plug into one another safely, but adding too many inflatables, light projectors or extension cords to one outlet can abuse breakers to trip, or even spark fires.

Extension cords

Extension cords are another common hazard.

“Don’t use indoor extension cords outside, because they’re not rated for outside,” he said. “They can’t handle the moisture, they can’t handle the change in temperature.

He advised homeowners to avoid “daisy chain cords,” - a wiring method where devices are connected in a series, with a power or signal flowing from one device to the next.

Instead, Thompson urged homeowners to use a single outdoor-rated cord long enough for the job.

Smart plugs, he adds, can make managing holiday displays easier and safer. Many models connect to smartphone apps, allowing homeowners to set timers without stepping outside or manually adjusting plug-in times.

Finally, Thompson reminds families to be cautious around fireplaces.

“You want to be careful not to be hanging too many things off of your fireplace and understand your combustible areas,” he said, referring to locations where flammable gases, vapors, ignitable fibres can create a risk of fire or explosion.

With a few thoughtful precautions, homeowners can enjoy a festive and safe holiday season.