Fire Safety

Battery-powered LED candles or lanterns are a safer alternative to traditional candles. They provide light without the risk of an open flame and can be used as a safer lighting option during a power outage.

For traditional candles, keep these tips in mind: 

• Always place candles in sturdy, non-flammable holders on a stable surface.

• Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn, such as curtains, furniture, or decorations.

• Never leave candles unattended or within reach of children or pets.

• Extinguish candles before going to bed or leaving the room.

Learn more about Candle Safety Tips on the Health Canada website.

Home health care systems like medical devices may use electricity to function correctly. Therefore, it’s essential to have a backup power plan to ensure continuous operation during a power outage.

Being prepared and having a plan for backup power during power outages is crucial for maintaining the functionality of home healthcare systems. Stay informed, communicate with your health care provider, and always prioritize safety.

• Consider investing in a battery-powered uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or a generator specifically designed for medical devices to provide emergency power during an outage.
• Keep spare batteries or mobile chargers for medical devices fully charged and easily accessible.
• Develop an emergency plan with a contingency for power outages.
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers, including your health care provider, medical equipment supplier, and local utility company, readily available.
• If using oxygen or other medical gases, ensure you have sufficient supplies to last during an outage and know how to use and store them safely.

During a scheduled power outage, consider contacting your fire alarm and security monitoring companies to inform them. Your proactive communication can help ensure the smooth functioning of your fire alarm and security systems during and after the power outage and contribute to the safety and security of your building and its occupants.

By notifying your fire alarm and security monitoring companies in advance, they can be prepared to provide troubleshooting support remotely, if possible, dispatch necessary service calls to address any issues, adjust staffing levels and coordinate with local authorities.

Sump pumps prevent basement flooding, especially during heavy rains or power outages. Having a backup power source, monitoring water levels, and keeping your sump pump well-maintained can help reduce the risk of water damage to your home.

• Develop an emergency plan in case of a sump pump failure during a power outage. Include buckets, mops, towels, and a wet/dry vacuum to manage any water intrusion.
• Keep an eye on the water level in the sump pump pit during a power outage. If the water level rises too high, consider using a manual pump or other means to remove excess water to prevent basement flooding.

More fires begin in the kitchen than in any other room in the home. In fact, residential cooking is one of the leading causes of fire-related deaths. The majority of kitchen fires start with cooking equipment, primarily stoves and microwave ovens.

Remember to:

• Keep pot handles turned toward the back of the stove. A small child could pull on a handle and be burned or scalded by its contents.
• Avoid loose clothing while cooking. Loose clothing can brush heating elements and easily catch fire.
• Never leave food cooking unattended on the stove.
• Never store frequently used items above the stove where you may be burned reaching to get them.
• Remove pans of cooking fat or oils from the stove when not in use. It's easy to turn on the wrong burner accidentally.
• Keep your stove and oven clean because built-up grease and food particles can easily ignite. Keep combustibles (i.e. curtains, dish towels, plastic or wood utensils, newspapers, grocery bags) away from the stove, oven and all appliances.
• Unplug kettles, frying pans and other appliances when not in use.

Smother grease or pan fires

• Turn off the stove. Smother flames with a pot lid or larger pan, if possible. Protect your hand with an oven mitt or wrapped dishtowel.
• Use an approved portable fire extinguisher only if you are familiar with its safe operation.
• Never throw water or use flour on a grease fire.
• In case of an oven fire, close the oven door and turn off the oven. Never touch or attempt to carry a flaming pot. The contents may spill, spread or burn you.
• If the fire is not brought under control immediately, get you and your family out and call 911.

What if I accidentally make contact with a flame or hot surface?

• If your clothing catches fire, stop where you are, drop to the ground, and roll back and forth to put the fire out.
• Immediately cool a burn with cool running water under a tap for five to 10 minutes and seek medical attention.

How safe is my microwave oven?

• Microwave ovens are safe appliances, but if you accidentally place a twist-tie or other piece of metal inside an oven, "arcing" may occur and pose a danger.
• In case of fire, unplug the appliance and do not open the microwave door until the flames are out.

What other steps can I take to prevent kitchen fires?

• Make stove controls easy to read from a distance - perhaps mark "off" with a bright red dot.
• Examine the stove and oven, toasters, coffee makers, and other cooking devices for signs of cracking, fraying or wear on cords and plugs.
• Look for signs of overheating.
• Check for recognized testing laboratory labels to show that the unit has been well designed.
• Keep matches out of reach of children. Explain the dangers to your children.

Fire extinguishment and evacuation

• A dry chemical fire extinguisher belongs in the kitchen. Mount it on the wall near an exit and not too close to the stove.
• Know when and how to operate your extinguisher; read the label carefully for directions.
• Remember, your first priority is to evacuate and call 911. When purchasing electrical appliances and fixtures, look for the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) seal of approval.
• When purchasing fire extinguishers and smoke alarms, look for the Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC) label.
• In case of fire or an emergency, call 911.

Read more cooking safety tips.

To minimize the risk of fire and injury, we do not recommend family fireworks or informal neighbourhood displays.

If you still choose to have family fireworks or an informal neighbourhood display, consumer fireworks must only be discharged in accordance with By-law 2015-047.

Apply for a fireworks permit

• View our fireworks safety poster (PDF)

Safety tips

• Appoint a responsible person to be in charge. Only adults who are aware of the hazards and essential safety precautions should handle and discharge fireworks.
• Carefully read and follow the label directions on fireworks packaging.
• Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks.
• Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.
• Keep onlookers a safe distance away, upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.
• Light only one firework at a time, and only when they are on the ground. Never try to light a firework in your hand or re-light dud fireworks. For dud fireworks, it is best to wait 30 minutes and soak them in a bucket of water. Dispose of them in a metal container.
• Discharge fireworks only if wind conditions do not create a safety hazard.
• Keep sparklers away from children. Sparklers burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing, cause blindness and result in severe burns. As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, it should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury.
• If someone is burned, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes and seek medical attention, if necessary.

You need to know the emergency and evacuation plans for your office or workplace. Fire can break out anywhere, including where you work. Each year numerous fires in the workplace cause injury and property loss.

If a fire started in your office or in the building where you work, would you know what to do? Do you know your workplace evacuation procedures in the event of an alarm? What can you do to prevent fires in your workplace?

Knowing the answers to these questions and following a few simple fire safety procedures can help save lives.

Employees should know:

• The location of two exits closest to their work area.
• The location of the nearest fire alarm pull station and how to use it.
• To call 911.
• Their responsibilities in a fire, which are outlined in the fire safety plan and fire emergency procedures.

Employers are responsible for:

• Preparing and implementing the Fire Safety Plan.
• Informing employees of the Fire Safety Plan.
• Posting fire emergency procedures on each floor.
• Conducting regular fire drills with all employees.

If you discover a fire:

• Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station on the fire floor.
• Leave the area immediately, closing all doors behind you.
• Take keys with you.
• Go to the nearest exit and leave the building. Close all doors behind you.
• If you encounter smoke, consider taking an alternate stairwell or exit. Heat and smoke rise, leaving cleaner air near the floor. Crawl low under the smoke.
• Call 911 regardless of the size of the fire. Never assume someone else has called.
• Give the correct address, the location of the fire and your name.

Fire extinguishers:

• Most workplaces contain portable fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers can only put out small, contained fires, such as a fire in a wastebasket. The extinguisher in your workplace may or may not be suitable for dealing with grease or electrical fires.
• If you have not been trained in the proper use of portable extinguishers, do not attempt to fight a fire using them.

Never fight a fire:

• If the fire is large or spreading.
• If your escape route may be blocked by the spread of fire.
• If you are not trained in the correct use of the extinguisher or are unsure of the type of fire.

If you do fight a fire:

• Call 911 first.
• Ensure everyone has evacuated or is leaving the area or building.
• Only fight a small fire.

Fire prevention tips for a safer workplace

Smoking

• Smoke only in areas allowed.
• Use large, non-tip ashtrays. Do not empty contents into wastebaskets.
• Check for smouldering cigarettes on furniture and in wastebaskets.

Wiring

• Check and replace any electrical cords that have cracked insulation or broken connectors.
• Avoid octopus wiring.
• Do not run extension cords across doorways or under rugs.
• Avoid plugging more than one extension cord into an outlet.
• Use only CSA-approved power bars.

Appliances

• Use only CSA-approved appliances.
• Leave enough space for the circulation of air around heaters and other equipment such as computer terminals and copy machines.
• Keep all appliances a safe distance from combustible materials.
• Always turn off or unplug appliances at the end of each day.

Arson

Arson is one of the leading causes of fire in the workplace. To prevent or minimize the risk of fire due to arson, remember:

• To be aware of your building security procedures.
• Report any vandalism and notify security or police of suspicious behaviour and visitors.
• Lock doors after working hours.
• Ensure areas around your building are free of combustibles and are well lit.
• Keep all halls, lobbies and areas used by the public clear of obstructions.

In case of fire or an emergency, call 911.

• Propane-fired outdoor gas fire pit
• TSSA Warnings

A leading cause of dryer fires in homes is the lack of dryer maintenance.

• View our safety tip sheet (PDF)

• Train Corridor Safety Poster (PDF)
• Rail safety tips from Canadian rail partners (PDF)

Children are more likely than adults to be injured in a fire. Teach your children the importance of fire safety at an early age.

For kid-friendly activities, videos and more visit, Sparky.org.

Matches and Lighters

Don't let your children play with fire. Kids are often fascinated by fire, but they do not understand the danger of playing with matches and lighters. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.

Tell your children if they find matches or lighters:

• Not to touch them.
• To call an adult/grown-up right away.

Teach your children that:

• Matches and lighters are not toys and are very dangerous.
• Fire can hurt them and destroy things.
• Once a fire starts, it isn't easy to control.
• Matches and lighters should only be used by adults.

Plan to get out alive

When children see smoke or fire, they often respond by hiding, for example, in a closet or under a bed. Tell your children that they cannot hide from fire, but they must escape immediately by following a few simple rules:

• Prepare and practise a home fire escape plan with your children.
• Plan two ways to get out of every room.
• Practise fire drills at least twice a year with your children.
• In an apartment fire, your children need to know which stairways will get them out of the building.
• Tell your children never to take an elevator during a fire.
• Decide on a planned meeting area outside the home as part of your fire escape plan.
• Tell your children never to go back into a burning building.

Stop, drop and roll

Practise the Stop, Drop and Roll movements with your children. This could save their lives if their clothes ever catch on fire. Have your children pretend that their clothes are on fire. Then tell them to:

• Stop - Get them to stop where they are, and stop what they are doing. Do not run!
• Drop - Get them to drop to the floor as quickly as possible.
• Roll - Have them cover their face with their hands, then roll over and over until the flames are out.

Get out, stay out and stay alive.

Teach your children the emergency phone number, 911.

Call 911 from a neighbour's phone.

Crawl low under smoke

Teach your children:

• Smoke is dangerous.
• Smoke rises, so cleaner, cooler air is near the floor.
• To get down on their hands and knees and crawl low under the smoke to the nearest exit.

Smoke alarms

Make sure children know what a smoke alarm is. Children must know:

• Smoke alarms warn them if a fire starts.
• To get out of the house immediately when they hear the sound of the smoke alarm.
• Show your child how important smoke alarms are by testing all your smoke alarms every month and changing their batteries at least once a year.

In case of fire or an emergency, call 911.

Without regular maintenance, exhaust fans can become a serious fire hazard. Protect your home and the people in it by giving your bathroom and laundry exhaust fans some regular maintenance:

• Dust buildup can cause an exhaust fan to overheat. Make sure to dust and vacuum your exhaust fan at least once a month.
• Don't let your fan run for more than 20 minutes, as continuous operation can cause the motor to overheat. Consider installing a timer switch to prevent your fan from running for too long.
• Strange smells, smoke, or unusually loud noises can indicate a problem. If you notice any of these, be sure to get it inspected and repaired by a certified technician.
• Exhaust fans lose efficiency over time. Replace your fan every 10 years to ensure it’s running safely.

• Electrical product safety
• Firepot Safety Tips (PDF)
• Smoking Safety Tips