Prevent fires at home

Keep your home safe by checking smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, practising your fire escape plan and using cooking equipment safely.

On this page:

  1. Smoke alarms
  2. Carbon monoxide alarms
  3. Make and practise a home escape plan
  4. Cooking and barbeque safety
  5. Fire prevention week
  6. Contact a fire prevention officer

 

Fire prevention fast facts

  • install working smoke alarms on every floor and outside all sleeping areas
  • install carbon monoxide alarms on every sleeping level
  • test alarms once a month using the test button
  • replace batteries yearly and alarms every 10 years
  • practise a home escape plan — you may have less than 2 minutes to get out safely
  • never leave cooking unattended

 

Smoke alarms

The Ontario Fire Code requires a working smoke alarm on every floor of a home and outside all sleeping areas. 

For maximum protection, install smoke alarms in every bedroom.

Smoke alarm safety tips:

  • follow manufacturer’s placement instructions
  • test alarms monthly
  • replace batteries once a year or whenever you hear a low-battery chirp
  • replace alarms at least every 10 years – follow manufacturer instructions

Carbon monoxide alarms

It is the law to have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm if your home or garage has fuel-fires appliances such as a furnace, water heater, stove or fireplace. 

Install CO alarms on every sleeping level of your home.

If your CO alarm sounds:

  • evacuate your home immediately
  • call 911 from outside
  • do not go back inside until firefighters say it is safe

Carbon Monoxide alarm safety tips:

  • have appliances inspected annually
  • keep outside vents clear
  • never use fuel-burning appliances indoors
  • test alarms monthly
  • replace batteries every year – or when you hear a low-battery chirp
  • replace alarms at least every 10 years – follow manufacturer’s instructions

Learn more on the COsafety website.

Make and practise your home escape plan

A fire can spread in under two minutes. Make sure everyone knows what to do when the alarm sounds.

Create your escape plan:

  • draw a simple floor plan of your home
  • identify two exits from every room, if possible
  • assign someone to help children, older adults and people with disabilities
  • stay low under smoke and head to the nearest safe exit
  • choose a meeting place outside that’s a safe distance from your home
  • get out and stay out – never re-enter a burning building

Cooking and BBQ safety

Leaving cooking unattended is the leading cause of home fires.

Kitchen safety:

  • stay in the kitchen when cooking
  • keep dishcloths, paper towels and pot holders away from heat
  • turn pot handles inward
  • keep children away from cooking areas
  • avoid loose-fitting clothing – if clothing catches fire, stop, drop and roll
  • enjoy drinks after cooking, not while cooking

Barbeque safety:

  • open the lid before lighting
  • keep BBQ away from anything that can burn
  • never use BBQs in a garage
  • store propane cylinders upright in well-ventilated areas
  • check hoses and fittings for cracks or bends
  • recertify propane cylinders every 10 years

Fire Prevention Week

Join Fire Prevention Week every October. There's a with a new theme each year to help families spot fire hazards, listen for alarms and escape safely.

Contact a fire prevention officer

For fire safety questions such as smoke or carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, fire extinguishers or open burning, contact a public education officer: