When properly installed and maintained, smoke alarms can be the difference between life and death. It's the law to have working smoke alarms installed on every storey of your home and next to all sleeping areas. Make sure your smoke alarms are working by:

• Testing your smoke alarms at least once a month
• Changing batteries as needed, at least twice a year
• Replacing smoke alarms that are over 10 years old

September 28 each year is Test Your Smoke Alarm Day. Be prepared to be Saved by the Beep!

There's no time to waste during a fire. Everyone in your home needs to know what to do and where to go when the smoke alarms sound. Take a few minutes with everyone in your home to make a fire escape plan using the steps below or this escape plan template.

Draw a floor plan

Draw a floor plan of your home that includes all doors and windows. Show two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure to account for special needs, such as who will assist the very young, older adults, people with disabilities or pets.

Set a meeting place outside

Choose a meeting place outside of your home, such as a tree, pole or mailbox. The meeting place should be a safe distance from your home. This is where everyone in your home will plan to meet during an emergency.

Practice the escape plan

Practice the escape plan with all members of your household. Practice during the day and at night at least twice per year. Try different escape routes each time and teach children to escape on their own, in case you're unable to help them. Make sure to account for special needs, such as who will assist the very young, older adults, people with disabilities or pets.

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Under the Ontario Fire Code, most building owners are required to maintain a Fire Safety Plan. These plans ensure you have the necessary systems and procedures in place to keep your building and its occupants safe.

Your Fire Safety Plan must:

• Be reviewed and updated at least once every 12 months
• Include accurate building and contact information
• Outline emergency procedures for occupants and supervisory staff
• Identify people requiring assistance and specify support measures

Download our Fire Safety Plan Template to get started. This fillable template includes all the sections and forms you need to meet the Ontario Fire Code requirements.

For questions or help, please contact Innisfil Fire & Rescue Services at innisfilfire@innisfil.ca.

Every year, fires and fire-related deaths result when someone has been drinking and then either tries to cook or mishandles a cigarette. Even when alcohol isn't involved, smoking while tired or distracted can result in disaster. Here are some tips to increase safety:

• Whether it's a party or just a regular day, keep a close eye on any drinkers in your home and make sure all cigarettes are properly extinguished and the stove is off before going to bed.
• Encourage smokers to smoke outside.
• Provide appropriate ashtrays (large and deep and not easily knocked over). Never extinguish a cigarette in a plant pot, which often contains flammables such as peat moss and shredded wood.
• Empty ashtrays into a metal container (not the garbage can) and put it outside.
• If people have been smoking in your home or vehicle, check for cigarettes that may have fallen between the cushions or on the floor. Remember—cigarettes can smoulder among upholstery cushions for hours before igniting.
• Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas. If occupants smoke in the bedrooms, install smoke alarms inside the bedrooms as well. NEVER smoke in bed!
• Test smoke alarms every month and replace the batteries at least once per year. 

Leaving your children in the care of a babysitter is a serious responsibility for any parent. Following these guidelines will help to ensure the experience is a safe and worry-free one for you, the babysitter and your children.

Before the babysitter arrives:

• Go over your home fire escape plan with your children, making sure that they know the escape routes and the location of the outside meeting place.
• Test the smoke alarms to make sure they are working. Smoke alarms will detect fire in its early stages and could give the babysitter and children time to escape.
• Speak to a neighbour who will be home for the evening. If there is an emergency, the babysitter can contact this neighbour to get help immediately.
• Post emergency numbers right beside the phone. Include your neighbours' name and telephone number and the telephone number where you can be reached.

When the babysitter arrives:

• Show the babysitter around the home, pointing out the children's bedrooms and the exits from those rooms.
• Provide the babysitter with the address of your residence (i.e. street name, house number and/or unit number). Identify the major intersection closest to the residence.
• Review the home fire escape plan with the babysitter, indicating the location of the meeting place and the neighbour's house. Tell the babysitter that if there is smoke or fire, get the children out of the house as quickly as possible and call the fire department from the neighbour's house.
• Show the babysitter the emergency numbers by the phone and give him or her a separate Emergency Information Sheet to keep in their pocket. They may have to leave the house quickly and run to the neighbour's. This sheet should include the telephone number where the parents can be reached.
• If the babysitter will be cooking or heating food, demonstrate the use of all appliances they will be required to use. 
• Never allow babysitters to smoke while on the job.
• Make sure that any matches and lighters in the home are kept out of the reach and sight of the children at all times.
• Give the babysitter information about the children's routines and special needs, including allergies, medical conditions and medication. 

Few things can match the fun and enjoyment of a barbecue with family and friends. Practice sensible, safe barbecuing and your get-togethers will be a sizzling success.

Season opener

At the start of the barbecue season, do this three-step safety check of your BBQ:

1. Clean: Use a pipe cleaner or wire to make sure the burner ports are free of rust, debris, spider webs or other debris.
2. Check: Examine the hose leading from the tank to the burners. Replace if cracked or damaged.
3. Test: Find leaks by applying a 50/50 solution of water and dish soap to propane cylinder connections and hoses. If bubbles appear, tighten the connection and/or replace the damaged parts and retest.

When you take your propane tank to be refilled, transport it safely by placing it in a secure, upright position with the safety valve on top. It is preferable to transport it on the floor of the passenger compartment. Make sure the windows of the vehicle are open. Propane cylinders must be inspected and requalified or replaced every 10 years!

Time to get cooking

Always be careful when igniting a barbecue. Take these steps in the right order:

1. Open the hood.
2. Open the valve at the cylinder.
3. Turn on the barbecue controls and light the burner using the igniter button. If there is no igniter, insert the flame from a long match or barbecue lighter through the side burner hole. Light the match before you turn on the gas at the grill controls.

Safety tips

Even a perfectly functioning barbecue needs to be handled with care.

Do:

• Keep loose clothing away from a hot barbecue
• Keep children and pets at a safe distance
• When finished, turn the gas valve off first, then turn off the burner controls, so that no gas is left in the connecting hose
• Allow the barbecue to cool completely before closing the cover

Don't:

• Leave the barbecue unattended when in use
• Barbecue in an enclosed space, such as a garage or tent
• Allow grease to build up on the burners or at the base of the barbecue as this could cause a grease fire
• Throw water on a grease fire—this will only spread the flame
• Position your barbecue too close to wooden fences or walls. Make sure the area behind your barbecue is free of combustible material, since this is where hot gases escape.

Candles are responsible for hundreds of fires in Canada every year. To minimize the risk of fire when burning candles in the home, take the following advice.

• Buy good quality candles that are smoke and drip-free. Cheap candles are more likely to contain harmful materials.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Avoid candles with multiple wicks that are close together.
• Avoid candles with decorations that are attached or embedded.
• Liquid paraffin candle fuel can be toxic. Keep it stored safely away from children and pets.

Choose the right holders

• Use sturdy holders that will not tip over.
• Avoid wood and plastic candle holders, as they can catch fire.
• Glass hurricanes are a good idea, but choose quality holders intended for the type and size of candle you are using. Improperly used glass holders can overheat and break.

Prepare wisely

• Before lighting the candle, trim the wick to a height of 5 mm. Trim wicks every 2 hours.
• Put candles on a sturdy surface away from combustible materials and out of the reach of pets and children.
• Teach children to be careful around candles.

Don't take chances

• Do not leave candles burning when no one is in the room.
• Blow out all candles before you go to sleep. When you go out, blow out! 

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless and odourless gas. It's known as the “silent killer” because you can't see it, taste it or smell it. You must have a working CO alarm in your home if you have:

• Oil, propane or gas-burning appliances, a furnace, or water heater
• A wood or gas fireplace
• An attached garage

CO alarms must be installed next to all sleeping areas and on every floor of the home. CO poisoning can be avoided with preventative CO measures and testing your alarms regularly.

Where does CO come from?

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of the combustion of fossil fuels. Most fuel-burning appliances, if properly installed and maintained, produce little CO. The by-products of combustion are usually safely vented to the outside. However, if anything disrupts the venting process (such as a bird's nest in the chimney) or results in a shortage of oxygen to the burner, CO production can quickly rise to dangerous levels. CO produced by gasoline engines or barbecues in a poorly ventilated space, such as a shed or garage, can enter a home through connecting walls or doorways.

How can I eliminate sources of CO in my home?

The best way to eliminate the possibility of CO poisoning is to ensure CO never has an opportunity to enter your home. Review this list to minimize the risk of CO in your home:

• Have a qualified technician inspect fuel-burning appliances, chimneys and vents yearly to ensure they are in good working order.
• If you have a powerful kitchen exhaust fan or downdraft cooktop, have a qualified technician check that its operation does not pull fumes back down the chimney.
• Never start a vehicle in a closed garage. Open the garage doors first and pull the car out onto the driveway. Close the garage door to prevent exhaust fumes from being drawn into the house.
• Don't use a remote starter when your car is in the garage, even if the garage doors are open.
• Never operate propane, natural gas, or a charcoal barbecue indoors or in an attached garage.
• Never run a lawnmower, snowblower, or any gasoline-powered tool inside a garage or house.
• Regularly clean the clothes dryer ductwork and outside vent cover for blockages such as lint, snow, or overgrown outdoor plants.

In an emergency situation, every second counts. Blocked, concealed or difficult-to-access fire hydrants can slow emergency fire response. Hydrants covered in snow can be difficult to locate and uncovering them can waste valuable time.

You can help reduce the risk by keeping nearby fire hydrants accessible and clear of ice and snow. Hydrants should have a clearing of one metre (three feet) around all sides and there should be a clear path from the street to ensure firefighters can easily access the hydrants. 

Fireworks displays in your own backyard can be fun, but can also pose serious risks if proper precautions aren't taken.

Innisfil Fire & Rescue Services suggests attending public fireworks displays hosted by a responsible organization if possible. If you still choose to have family fireworks or an informal neighbourhood display, please follow these guidelines.

Be aware of your responsibility

By choosing to set off fireworks on your own property, you are taking responsibility for any harm that should occur to people or property as a result. You may want to let your neighbours know and ensure that there will be no undue hardship as a result. Every year, numerous complaints are received because of fireworks being set off late at night or too close to other properties, and this can damage relationships between neighbours.

If your yard is small and you cannot guarantee debris will fall only on your own property, do not use fireworks.

Set them off safely

• Only ADULTS should handle fireworks—appoint ONE person to be in charge who knows the hazards and safety precautions.
• Carefully read and follow the directions on the packaging.
• Always keep a hose or pail of water close by.
• Set off fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.
• Light only one firework at a time.
• Never try to light a firework (or hold a lit firework) in your hand.
• Never re-light “dud” fireworks. Wait 30 minutes, then soak them in a bucket of water.
• Never give sparklers to small children. Sparklers burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing, cause blindness and result in severe burns.
• Sparkler wires remain hot for several minutes after burnout, so soak them in water immediately to avoid injury.
• If someone gets burned, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes and seek medical attention if necessary.
• Watch the fireworks as they fall to the ground, and mark their locations so that you don't miss anything. If they fall into a neighbour's yard or on their roof, you are responsible for letting them know and retrieving them if necessary.

Dispose of them wisely

• Immediately after your firework show, comb the area for any pieces that may have scattered in the explosion.
• Use work gloves to pick up any materials that may be hot.
• Soak all materials in a pail of water overnight (NOT in a lake or other natural body of water).
• Pull out wicks and fuses from unspent fireworks.
• Wrap the wet materials in plastic to keep them wet as long as possible and place them in your regular trash.

Before kids hit the streets this Halloween, check over costumes, decor and trick-or-treating plans for fire safety!

• Consider a battery-operated or other artificial flame in your jack-o'-lantern.
• If you do choose a flame-lit pumpkin, use a small candle like a tea-light in a protective holder, and keep it well away from landings, stairs and doorsteps where costumes can brush against the flame.
• Keep a light on on your porch if you are giving out candy, and ensure stairs and walkways can be clearly seen and have no trip hazards.
• Indoors, protect your home and family by placing any candles or candlelit jack-o'-lanterns on sturdy tables, away from curtains and other flammable objects. Never leave them unattended. Always keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
• Check your candlelit jack-o'-lanterns regularly to ensure the flame remains low and isn't burning the pumpkin or nearby materials.

Not all adults follow our advice to keep lit pumpkins in a safe location, so prepare your kids:

• Warn your family to steer clear of any lit-up decor, whether it appears to have an open flame or not.
• Avoid costumes with long hems, baggy pants, long flowy sleeves or other parts that drag and could come into contact with flame or create a trip hazard. Make sure that face coverings don't limit vision, and check that kids can see where they put their feet.
• Don't send children out alone, but always with an adult or in a group. Make sure that children know how to call 9-1-1 if they experience an emergency.

Teach children what to do should their clothing catch fire:

1. STOP immediately
2. DROP to the ground and cover face
3. ROLL over and over to extinguish the flames

Unsafe cooking is a leading cause of fires in the home in Ontario. Cooking fires rank first in the number of injuries and second in the number of fire fatalities. Most kitchen fires are preventable.

To prevent a kitchen fire in your home, here are some safety tips:

• Remain in the kitchen when you are cooking.
• Remember to turn off the oven and stove burners when you are finished cooking.
• Keep electrical cooking appliances unplugged when not in use (e.g. toaster, kettle).
• Keep a proper-fitting pot lid near the stove when cooking, and have a portable fire extinguisher close by.
• Do not wear long sleeves or loose clothing while cooking. Long sleeves and loose-fitting clothing could catch fire if they come into contact with oven or stove top burners.
• Individuals who have long hair should tie it back.
• Be alert when cooking. Avoid cooking when you are tired and when you are under the influence of alcohol or medications.
• Keep combustibles away from the stove such as dish towels, paper towels and other paper products (e.g. recipe books, cardboard food boxes).
• Turn pot handles in. Pot handles that stick out away from the stove can be easily bumped or grabbed by a small child. To prevent burns and stove-top fires, turn pot handles toward the back of the stove when cooking.
• Whenever possible, use the rear burners.
• Ensure cooking surfaces are kept clean. Clean up spills and grease on cooking surfaces promptly.

Electrical safety

• Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many appliances.
• Carefully examine electrical cords and discard any that are frayed, cracked or damaged.
• To prevent personal injury, ensure that electrical cords that are in use are kept out of the reach of children.