City of Kelowna's safety agencies remind residents to stay on top of safety this holiday season

As the holiday season fast approaches, the City of Kelowna's safety agencies are offering residents tips to keep their winter merry and safe for all.

The tips, which are provided by the Bylaw Services, Kelowna Fire Department, Kelowna RCMP, and crime prevention teams, help residents reduce the risk of injury, fire, and take an active role in crime prevention.

“The holidays are a time for celebrations, bringing families and our community together,” said the Kelowna Fire Department's Fire and Life Safety Educator Rick Euper. "However it’s also a time we see an increase of Kelowna fire dispatch calls related to vehicle accidents, kitchen or electrical house fires and snow-related injuries.”

The holiday safety tips are shown below:

1. Be merry and bright, but not on fire: keep candles out of reach of kids, pets, and off of trees.
2. Keep your eyes on the prize: supervise the turkey and never leave the kitchen unattended. Cooking is a leading cause of fires during the holidays.
3. Sparkle not spark: instead of candles, use LED candles and bulbs for décor to be FireSmart.
4. Test your smoke alarms and change the batteries in less time than it takes to wrap a gift.
5. Stay on the nice list: when parking, avoid blocking residential and commercial driveways.
6. Snow’s out, shovels out: clear snow from sidewalks, walkways and driveways on your property so passersby have a safe path.
7. Don’t let your car throw snowballs: brush snow off the roof, windows, windshield and lights.
8. Navigate the shopping hustle and bustle with a watchful eye on your payment cards, wallet and purse.
9. Do your Holidays take flight? Keep vacation plans vague on social media so your empty home doesn’t become an easy target.
10. Gift yourself an emergency kit for your vehicle including a blanket, road flares, flashlight, small fire extinguisher, first aid kit, non-perishable food and bottled water.
11. Get home safely for the holidays, never drink and drive. Plan for a safe ride by giving your keys to your host, taking transit or calling a cab.
12. Grinch-proof your car to prevent theft and fraud: lock doors and don’t leave valuables inside. A minute is all it takes for a crime of opportunity to take place.

Throughout December, RCMP volunteers will once again be out patrolling parking lots to deter theft activity by being extra eyes and ears in high-volume shopping areas throughout Kelowna.