- All homes must have working smoke alarms on all floors, whether the home is owner-occupied or rented.
- Test your alarms monthly, and change the batteries twice a year. If your smoke alarm is chirping, this means the battery is low. Do not silence this – change the batteries immediately!
- Replace your alarms within the time frame recommended by the manufacturers, typically within 10 years.
- Keep your smoke alarms clean. Dust can accumulate and prevent your alarms from working properly.
- If you have a visual or hearing impairment, look into different alarm types. There are strobe light alarms, bed shakers or wrist vibrators that can be connected to your alarms. These can be found online or where alarms are sold.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms sound different! Ensure everyone in the house knows what each sounds like and how to respond.
- Practice your fire escape plan with your smoke alarm on. The sound can be unsettling and can cause confusion, especially for those with disabilities or sensory issues.
Fire Prevention
Fire safety starts with you. Being educated and aware of risks is key to fire prevention. Learn what steps you can take to prevent fires.
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Have a home escape plan
It’s important to establish a home escape plan and practice it regularly with your household. Every family and home is unique. It’s important to ensure your plan works for all family members, including children, older adults, or those with disabilities.
There are several things to keep in mind when preparing your plan:
- Include all family members when developing the plan.
- If your family changes, change your plan.
- Determine two ways out of every room.
- Check doors for heat before opening. If the door feels normal, proceed with caution.
- Stay low as heat and smoke rise.
- Keep entries, exits, halls and stairs clear and free of clutter for safe passage.
- If you require a walker, cane, glasses, or any other assistive devices, ensure those are by your bed for quick access.
- Have a dedicated meet up area for all family members outside.
- If you live in an apartment, use the stairs and not the elevator to exit.
- Call 911 when you are safely outside. In a fire seconds count, don’t waste time trying to make a call indoors.
- If you cannot escape safely, keep your door shut, place a towel or blanket at the bottom of the door and stand near the window for fire service to reach you.
- If you are in an apartment, call 911 even if firefighters are on site and tell them your apartment number. Wave a sheet or towel from the window to help firefighters locate you.
Get started using this Fire Escape Plan Template. To learn more about creating a fire escape plan, contact one of our Fire Prevention Officers.
Farm fires
A farm fire is devastating. It can result in a loss of life and income. Farms have additional fire hazards, so it’s important to exercise caution.
- Have working, accessible fire extinguishers.
- Ensure your address is clear and visible from the road.
- Install smoke alarms to provide early warning of fire.
- Ensure hay and straw are properly dried before storing it in the barn.
- Do not refuel engines inside a building, or while the engine is running or hot.
- Situate manure piles at least 10 m away from barns to reduce the chance of combustion.
- Check equipment, including space heaters regularly.
- Do not run space heaters for extended periods or leave them unattended.
Worried about a fire at a vacant farm property? Learn about the Farm 911 program and how their signs assist our first responders in locating people on vacant agricultural land.
