Last week we were talking about Red Cross Holiday Traditions and we received a great story about a tradition-gone-wrong from Red Crosser Joan Savoie in Ontario.
Joan’s family gathers together every year on Christmas Eve to relax and exchange gifts. Since they will all be having plenty of turkey the next day, their Christmas Eve tradition involves sharing a big fondue.
Just like every other year, they sat together to eat their fondue and enjoyed some good conversation and laughter when they noticed the fondue pot was getting a bit cold and needed more fuel. They added more fuel and continued to share stories. A little while later they noticed a different kind of glow at the end of the table – the whole fondue pot was on fire! The little fire quickly turned into an inferno as the oil lit up and the fire got bigger and bigger. Luckily Joan and her step-daughter’s instincts kicked in and they ran to the kitchen and grabbed some baking soda. When that didn’t work, her step-daughter grabbed another large pot and managed to smother the flame. Fortunately the only thing ruined was her new tablecloth.
Joan’s family has added a new part to their Christmas tradition: a fire extinguisher close by during their meal!
For some tips on how to protect your home from fire visit redcross.ca.
