Maple Ridge, B.C., December 19, 2025 – The City of Maple Ridge is reminding residents that while filled with festive fun, family gatherings, delicious meals, and sparkling decorations, the holidays are also a time when the risk of home fires increases.
Through its annual Holiday Fire Safety Campaign, Maple Ridge Fire and Rescue Services is offering residents a few simple precautions to help ensure the season is remembered for all the right reasons.
“Everyone looks forward to the holidays as a time to relax, celebrate, and spend time with loved ones,” said Fire Chief Dave Samson. “Unfortunately, it’s also one of the busiest times of year for fire departments. Most holiday fires are preventable.” Residents are encouraged to give the gift of a safe and savvy holiday with just a few fire safety tips, after all, “tis the season!”
Space Heaters
The weather outside is frightful, but a space heater is so delightful.
- Use only CSA or ULC approved heaters that are in good working condition. Look for the logo imprinted on it.
- Keep heaters at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from anything that can burn, including furniture, curtains, papers, and pets.
- Always turn off and unplug your heater when unattended. An added bonus: you’ll save on the electricity bill!
Trees and Decorations
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, …are you looking a bit crispy?
- Using a real tree? Choose one that’s not dropping needles and be sure to keep it watered to prevent it from drying out and becoming holiday kindling.
- Keep your tree (real or otherwise) away from heat sources like fireplaces, heaters, radiators or heat vents, to help it stay green rather than crispy.
- Decorate with fire resistant or fire-retardant decorations.
Lights and Candles
All is calm, all is bright. Let’s keep it that way.
- Use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors.
- Avoid hanging lights with staples, which can damage cords. Use approved clips instead.
- Do not overload electrical outlets and inspect cords for fraying or exposed wires.
- Never leave candles unattended, especially around children and pets. Blow them out before leaving the room.
Kitchen Safety
Bring us a figgy pudding! Wait, is that a flambé or is the turkey on fire?
- Stay in the kitchen while cooking, especially when using the stovetop.
- Keep flammable items like towels, oven mitts, and wooden utensils away from heat sources.
- If a grease fire occurs, do not use water. Cover the pan with a lid or cookie sheet and turn off the heat.
- For an oven fire, turn off the oven and keep the door closed.
- Ensure you have a working fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.
- If you are deep frying a turkey, set up the fryer outside, well away from the house on a flat, fire-proof surface.
- Prevent dangerous hot-oil boil-overs by ensuring your turkey is fully thawed and dry and use a large pot with lots of room for the turkey and the frying oil.
Fireworks
Ring in the New Year safely and responsibly.
The sale of fireworks and firecrackers is prohibited in Maple Ridge. A permit is required for setting off all fireworks and firecrackers. Fireworks pose serious risk and safety hazards to the community, pets and wildlife. Violators face fines of $500 to $1000 and will be required to surrender their fireworks. To apply for a special event fireworks permit, contact the City's Bylaws Department at bylaws@mapleridge.ca or 604-467-7305.
- The sale of fireworks is prohibited in Maple Ridge.
- Fireworks are not allowed to be used or set off in Maple Ridge without a valid permit.
- Be kind to our furry friends. The loud noise and bright explosions from fireworks are very traumatizing to pets and wildlife.
For more fire safety tips, visit MapleRidge.ca/HolidayFireSafety, or contact the Maple Ridge Fire Department at fire@mapleridge.ca or 604-463-5880.
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Media Contact
Pardeep Purewal, Senior Manager Corporate Communications and Public Engagement
T 604 466 4319 C 778 955 4249
E media@mapleridge.ca