GETAWAYS

MURPHY'S POINT PROVINCIAL PARK PHOTO: ONTARIO PARKS

Cabin Fever Reliever

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA BYRNE PAQUET

FOR THE DAY-TRIPPER:

PERTH

Perth is just an hour southwest of Ottawa but has a smalltown vibe that feels light-years away.

Jump-start your day with a cup of fair trade, organic java at Coutts Coffee Roastery and Café, housed in a 19th-century stone building beside the Tay Canal. Coffee not your thing? Tea, hot chocolate, and apple cider are available, too.

History buffs can learn about one of Canada’s last duels — and see the fateful pistols involved — at the Perth Museum. The 1840 building is a National Historic Site.

If the weather cooperates, skiers can explore some of the 26 kilometres of cross-country ski trails at nearby Murphy’s Point Provincial Park. Its winter dates this year are December 9, 2022 to March 12, 2023.

Finally, you could build your trip around a special event, such as Studio Theatre Perth’s production of Scrooge: The Musical from November 24 to December 4 or the arrival of the illuminated CP Holiday Train on November 28. Just because the weather has turned nippy doesn’t mean you have to wait until spring to take a road trip. A short getaway may be just the thing to keep winter cabin fever at bay. Nearby communities offer festive fun, including Christmas shopping, concerts, and parades. And once the temperatures drop and the snow flies, you can get out your cross-country skis!

FOR THE SHOPPER:

KINGSTON

Whether you’re shopping for gifts for others or a treat for yourself, Kingston is a great place for a little retail therapy — particularly if you like quirky independent shops, which you’ll find in abundance along the downtown streets.

Minotaur Games and Gifts is packed with amusements, from board games and origami paper to funny greeting cards, fridge magnets, and coffee mugs. Browse for fancy shortbreads, unusual sauces, and other packaged gourmet treats under the pressed tin ceilings at Cooke’s Fine Foods and Coffee, which dates back to 1865. Martello Alley sells works by local artists, while Cornerstone Canadian Art and Craft offers paintings, ceramics, textiles, stationery items, and more from across the country. The Roundstone and its sister shop, Fancy That, sell a range of women’s clothing and accessories.

BOBBIES PHOTO: SKANEATELES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FATHER CHRISTMAS PHOTO: SKANEATELES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

FOR THE CHRISTMAS FANATIC:

SYRACUSE TO SENECA FALLS

Start with a 300-kilometre drive to Destiny USA in Syracuse — New York state’s largest shopping centre — to gawk at the holiday displays and pick up some baubles. Then, head 34 kilometres southwest to the lakeside village of Skaneateles, which marks the holiday each year with a festival of Victorian-themed entertainment called Dickens Christmas (weekends, November 26 to December 18, plus November 25 and December 24).

Your third stop is the pièce-de-holiday-résistance. Seneca Falls, 35 kilometres west of Skaneateles, claims to have been the model for the town of Bedford Falls in the 1947 Jimmy Stewart movie It’s a Wonderful Life. Every year, the local It’s a Wonderful Life Museum celebrates the possible Hollywood connection with a festival (December 9 to 11) that brings fans and cast members together for a weekend of swing dancing, sing-a-longs, and other 1940s nostalgia. Looking for more ideas? Check out ottawaroadtrips.com or stop by a local bookshop and pick up Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide and Ottawa Road Trips: Your Weekend Getaway Guide.

HELP KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE DURING BUSY HOLIDAY GATHERINGS

The holiday season can be a busy one for many families, with more time than usual spent preparing and enjoying meals. While it’s tempting to just relax and enjoy the festivities, it’s equally important to pay attention to cooking safety to help ensure a kitchen fire doesn’t put a damper on your celebrations with family and friends.

According to the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, cooking is the number one cause of residential fires in Ontario. “There are a few key safety tips which are worth revisiting — and sharing with others — to help keep your home and family safe during the holidays and all year round,” explains Ashley Gocken, a First Alert brand expert, now part of Resideo Technologies, Inc.

The first step in helping protect your home and family from fire hazards is being prepared. Equip your home with fire extinguishing devices, place them in accessible locations and know how to use them should a fire break out. First Alert EZ Fire Spray is a great option for an at home fire extinguishing device. This solution provides consumers with a less intimidating option than traditional fire extinguishers, plus it is easy to use — just point and spray. Its lightweight and compact design makes it ideal for kitchens, and it offers four times* longer spray time than traditional fire extinguishers. Another key safety tip is to never leave the kitchen unattended while food is cooking. In addition, consider establishing a ‘kid-free zone’ of at least one metre around the stove and any areas where hot food or drinks are being prepared. It’s also wise to keep any combustible items such as cooking utensils, dishcloths, paper towels, cookbooks or pot holders a safe distance away from the stove. Whenever possible, opt to cook on back burners and keep the handles of pots and pans turned inward, away from the stove edge, to avoid having them accidentally get bumped. Lastly, keep all your appliances clean of grease and food debris that could potentially catch flame. Be sure to clean your oven before the holiday season, and at least every three to six months throughout the year.

Smoke alarms help provide early warning in the event of a fire. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends placing a smoke alarm on every level, including the basement, and in every bedroom. Placement of your smoke alarm is equally important. Make sure to place alarms at least 4.5 metres from cooking appliances.

To learn more about how to help keep your home and family safe this holiday season, or to find a First Alert EZ Fire Spray retailer near you,

visit firstalert.ca.