Fire safety for your home

Cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires. Staying alert is your best defence.

• Stay in the kitchen when using the stove or oven
• Turn off the stove if you need to leave (even for a short time)
• Check food regularly when baking, cooking, or roasting, and use a timer as a reminder
• Keep flammable items like towels, packaging, and curtains away from stovetops
• Avoid using the oven or stove top if you’re sleepy or under the influence

Know the warning signs

• If a small stovetop fire starts, smother the flames with a lid and turn off the burner.
• If a fire starts inside an oven, keep the oven doors closed and turn off the heat.
• If an element gets hotter than the setting for an extended period, stop using it and contact a professional.

Electricity powers your home, but it needs to be used safely to avoid fire risks.

• Hire a licensed electrician for any electrical work
• Use qualified inspectors when buying or renovating a home
• Plug heat-producing or major appliances directly into a wall receptacle outlet
• Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to reduce the risk of shock in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and basements
• Keep cords out of high-traffic areas and avoid running them under carpets
• Regularly inspect and replace any frayed or damaged cords.

Know the warning signs

• If lights flicker or dim unexpectedly, it may be a signal of an electrical issue
• If circuit breakers trip or fuses blow often, have your electrical system checked by a qualified electrician
• If outlets feel warm, look discoloured, or spark, contact a qualified electrician 

Staying warm is essential, but heating equipment must be used with care.

• Keep flammables at least three feet or one metre away from heating equipment
• Maintain a three-foot or one metre “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters
• Don’t use your oven to heat your home
• Hire a qualified professional to install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, or central heating equipment
• Use a qualified professional to inspect and clean solid fuel or oil heating equipment and chimneys annually
• Turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed
• Use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer for fuel-burning appliances
• Use a sturdy fireplace screen to stop sparks from flying into the room

Know the warning signs

• If vents or openings on heating equipment are blocked, clear them to prevent overheating or fire risks.
• If lint or debris builds up in heating-related systems (like dryer vents), clean them to reduce the risk of fire.
• If there are ashes, dispose of them safely in a metal container away from your home.

With more rechargeable devices entering the home, there is a greater risk of lithium-ion battery fires. Lithium-ion batteries power everyday items from phones to e-bikes. If damaged or used improperly, they can overheat and cause fires. Learn how to buy, charge, and recycle these batteries safely.

• Choose UL, ETL, or CSA-approved devices
• Charge devices on a hard, flat surface and not on beds or couches
• Unplug your device when fully charged
• Use chargers that came with your device
• Recycle your used rechargeable batteries at a safe battery recycling site

Know the warning signs

• If a battery becomes hot, swollen, or smells unusual, stop using it immediately and move the device away from anything flammable and call emergency services if needed.
• If you’re using a charger that didn’t come with the device, switch to an approved one from the manufacturer that works with your device.
• If a battery is exposed to extreme heat, cold, or direct sunlight, move it to a cool, dry place to help prevent overheating.

Simple habits and the right tools can help reduce the risk of fire and keep you prepared

Everyday habits

• Keep lighters and matches away from children
• Use sturdy candle holders and blow out candles before leaving a room or going to bed
• Keep candles away from children and pets
• If you smoke, never smoke in bed and keep an eye out for flying ash

Safety tools

• Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, and test them monthly
• Keep fire extinguishers and fire blankets in safe, easy-to-reach locations

How to use a fire extinguisher (PASS):

• Pull the pin
• Aim at the base of the fire
• Squeeze the trigger
• Sweep side to side