Ontario's Holiday Fire Safety Campaign Begins - Media Release 25-110

For Immediate Release
Minden, ON
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
3:00 PM
Release #25-110

SUBJECT: Ontario’s Holiday Fire Safety Campaign Begins 

Ontario’s Fire Service Offers Fire Safety Guidance During the Holiday Season.

The Minden Hills Fire Department is launching the annual 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety campaign to remind Ontarians to take proper fire safety precautions and stay fire safe this holiday season.

From December 12 to 23, 2025 Fire Departments across Ontario will promote a different fire safety theme each day, with tips on what you can do to keep the holidays fire safe. Holiday fire safety tips can be found by following and subscribing to @ONFireMarshall on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Township of Minden Hills on Facebook, X and Instagram.

“This time of year is bittersweet for the fire service as we continue to see an increased number of fatal fires during the months around the holidays,” said Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg. “Prevention is the best way to stay fire safe and by making fire safety a priority, you can avoid unnecessary disaster.”

The Minden Hills Fire Department is encouraging families to follow the 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety across social networks and to pay attention to the tips and advice that can keep your family safe this season.

Schedule of Topics:

• December 12: Holiday Lights
• December 13: Tree Watering
• December 14: Candles and Decorations
• December 15: Smoke Alarms
• December 16: Carbon Monoxide Alarms
• December 17: Extension Cords
• December 18: Kids in the Kitchen
• December 19: Home Fire Escape Plans
• December 20: Cooking
• December 21: Heating Sources
• December 22: Smoking
• December 23: Lithium-Ion Batteries
  

Fire department personnel across Ontario have provided personal testimonials for each daily theme, grounding the safety advice in real-life, frontline experience.

The 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety campaign was developed in partnership with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC), the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC), the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officer's Association (OMFPOA), the Ontario Association of Fire Educators (OAFE) and Fire Departments across the province.

Quick Facts:

• OFM data indicate the months from November to January experience the highest number of residential fire deaths.
• Cooking remains the top cause of residential fires while careless smoking remains the top cause of fatal fires.
• Last holiday season (November 2024 – January 2025) saw 24 residential fatal fires resulting in 26 fire deaths.
• Smoke alarms should be tested monthly, batteries replaced annually, and the alarms themselves replaced after 10 years of service.

-END-

Township of Minden Hills Fire Department
12418 Hwy. 35, Minden
Don Kruger, Fire Chief
705-286-1260, Email