High-level summary - The Oakville Fire Department delivered a holiday safety briefing during the council meeting, focusing on safe decorating practices for the season. The discussion emphasized inspecting lights, avoiding overloads, proper indoor/outdoor use, and general fire safety. No formal motions, file numbers, or public input were recorded in this excerpt, and councillor names were not listed.

Five most important topics discussed 1) Holiday Light Safety - Firefighter Mark Visser stressed inspecting holiday lights for hazards and avoiding overloads. He said, "Never overload outlets or extension cords. They can overheat and start a fire." Public comments or questions: none recorded. - Implication for residents: regular checks of cords and connections to prevent fires; use proper outlets.

2) Indoor vs. Outdoor Light Usage - Visser highlighted following manufacturer guidance on whether lights are indoor or outdoor rated. He noted, "Some lights are for indoor use only and others for outdoor use. Make sure you know what you are buying." Public comments or questions: none recorded. - Implication for residents: verify rated use before purchase to ensure safety and compliance.

3) Electrical Safety and Overloading Prevention - The discussion included warnings about overloading outlets and extension cords, with emphasis on replacement of worn or damaged lights. He stated, "Inspect your lights for frayed wires or broken bulbs. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections." Public comments or questions: none recorded. - Implication for residents: avoid daisy-chaining multiple power strips and replace damaged strings promptly.

4) Proper Installation Techniques - Residents were encouraged to use clips rather than nails to hang lights to prevent cord damage. Visser noted, "Use clips rather than nails to hang lights to prevent damaging the cords." Public comments or questions: none recorded. - Implication for residents: safer installation reduces risk of cord wear and fire hazards.

5) General Fire Safety During the Holidays - The Oakville Fire Department reminded residents to keep decorations away from windows and doors and to turn off lights when not at home or asleep. Visser concluded, "From all of us here at Oakville Fire, stay safe and have a great holiday season." Public comments or questions: none recorded. - Implication for residents: maintain clear exit paths and ensure lights are off when unattended.

File numbers discussed - None mentioned.

Opportunities for public input - No explicit opportunities for public consultation or input were mentioned in this excerpt.

Motions, decisions, or deferrals - No motions were discussed or decided upon in this section of the transcript.

Follow-up actions or next steps - The Oakville Fire Department encouraged residents to follow the safety tips provided to ensure a safe holiday season. No additional follow-up actions were specified.

Councillors present - Not specified in the provided transcript.