Home Fire Escape Planning

Develop a home fire escape plan today...it could save your life tonight! 

Install working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas of your home. It's the law!

• Develop a home fire escape plan. Know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Sit down with everyone in your household and discuss how each person will get out of the home in a fire. 
• Practice your escape plan with everyone in your home. Make sure everyone can get out quickly. 
• Make sure everyone knows two ways out of each room, if possible. If the door of a room is blocked by smoke or fire, discuss an alternate escape route such as a window. Make sure all windows open easily. 
• Help those who need it! Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults, people with disabilities or anyone else who may need assistance. 
• Get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit. Most fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation. 
• Choose a meeting place outside, a safe distance from your home. A tree, street light or a neighbour's home are all good choices. In case of a fire, everyone should go directly to this meeting place to be accounted for.
• Get out, stay out. Never re-enter a burning building. Once you have safely escaped, call the fire department from outside your home using a cell phone or from a neighbour's home. 

 For more information on how to plan your home fire escape plan, click below.

Tips Developing a Home Fire Escape Plan

BBQ Safety

Take these steps when starting a BBQ:

• Open the hood.
• Turn on the gas release valve on the tank.
• Turn on the grill controls or heat settings.
• Take a step back.
• Push the igniter button.
• If there is no igniter button, insert a long match or BBQ lighter through the side burner hole first, then turn on the heat control knob. 
• If the burner does not ignite right away, turn the gas off and wait five minutes, keep the hood open, before repeating the procedure.

The leading cause of dryer fires in the home is the lack of dryer maintenance. 

When installing a dryer:

• Have your dryer installed and serviced by a qualified technician.
• If you install your own dryer, follow the manufacturer's instructions before installing the dryer vent.

Ensure to always:

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the safe use of the dryer.
• Inspect and clean the lint screen after each load of laundry. The build-up of lint can lead to a fire. Regularly remove lint from ducts and exhaust vents. 
• Regularly inspect the outdoor vent to ensure it is unobstructed.
• Turn the dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.
• Keep the area around the dryer clear of items that can burn. 

The Ontario Fire Code makes homeowners responsible for keeping their fireplaces safe and in good repair. Follow these tips to ensure fireplace safety:

• Use a fireplace screen
• Store combustible materials far away from the fireplace
• Visually inspect and clean regularly

Ensure appliance is CSA and/or ULC compliant

 Barn fires can be devastating for farmers due to loss of livestock, equipment and building structures. 

Maintain and Safely Store Electrical Equipment

Many ban fires can start as electrical fires. Make sure that all electrical equipment and wiring is inspected regularly to prevent fires. Have an electrician inspect any electrical appliances installed in the barn annual. This includes:

• Water heaters
• Heat tracing
• Insect-control devices
• Portable heating units. 

Electrical wiring should always be enclosed in metal or PVC conduit. Disconnect and store all radios, clippers, extension cords and other portable appliances when they are not in use. 

Barn Fire Prevention Tips:

• Be prepared and train your family and staff on how to respond during a fire.
• Make sure the fire department can find you. Your 9-1-1 must be visible at the entrance to your farm. 
• Make sure you have working fire extinguishers available.
• Monitor heat conditions using infrared technologies.
• Keep feed, hay, straw and flammable liquids away from the main barn. 
• Cover light bulbs to protect them from dust, moisture and breakage. 
• Store oily rags in closed metal containers, away from heat.
• Keep heat lamps an space heaters at a safe distance.