Fire Prevention and Inspections

Inspections

Fire prevention inspections are conducted for all written complaints received by the fire department relating to potential fire hazards, and for all requests for fire prevention inspections to assess fire safety.

To file a complaint or to request an inspection, please contact us.

Public education

Our fire prevention officer along with our firefighters will:

• Provide displays at community events
• Visit local school and child care centres
• Go door to door promoting smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Junior firefighter safety camp
• Provide fire station tours
• Implement program specific courses for clubs, cubs, guides

Contact us

Carbon monoxide alarms

Do I require a carbon monoxide alarm in my home?

Ontario law requires that you have a working carbon monoxide alarm in your home if it contains at least one fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or if you have an attached garage.

Where do I need to install carbon monoxide alarms?

Install a carbon monoxide alarm outside of each:

• Outside sleeping area on each level of your home
• in other locations as required by codes, standards, and by-laws
• Follow manufacturer's instructions for CO alarm placement.

What should I do if my carbon monoxide alarm sounds?

• Move outdoors or by an open window and account for everyone in your home.
• Call 911 from the fresh air location, and remain in the fresh air location until an emergency crew arrives.
• Your alarm may sound if the batteries are low or your alarm has reached its expiry date.
• Check your batteries! Batteries should be replaced at least once a year.

When should I test and replace my carbon monoxide alarms?

• Test carbon monoxide alarms monthly.
• Test the carbon monoxide alarm after installing a new battery.
• Test carbon monoxide alarms after returning home after an absence of more than a few days.
• Replace carbon monoxide alarms every 7-10 years or in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

How often do I need to change the batteries in my carbon monoxide alarm?

• Install a new battery once a year or whenever the low battery warning sounds.
• Know the difference between a low-battery warning and an emergency alarm by consulting the carbon monoxide alarm manufacturer's instructions.

Smoke alarms

Where do I need to install a smoke alarm in my home?

Ontario law requires that working smoke alarms are installed:

• On every story of the home
• Outside all sleeping areas

Avoid installing smoke alarms in or near kitchens and bathrooms, or near air vents, windows and ceiling fans.

What should I do if my smoke alarm sounds?

If your smoke alarm goes off ensure you alert your family members and start your home fire escape plans. Every second counts so get out and stay out!

When should I test and replace my smoke alarms?

• Test smoke alarms monthly.
• Test the smoke alarm after installing a new battery.
• Test smoke alarms upon returning home after an absence of more than a few days.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years with new ones.

How often do I need to change the batteries in my smoke alarm?

• Install a new battery once a year or whenever the low battery warning sounds.
• If alarm fails to sound when the test button is pressed, install a new battery.
• If alarm fails after installing a new battery you will need to purchase a new alarm.

How do I manage nuisance alarms?

• Do not remove the battery!
• Try moving the smoke alarm or purchase a smoke alarm with a hush feature.
• Replace alarms near the kitchen or shower with a photoelectric alarm.
• If you hear chirping or beeping your alarm may have reached its end of life.

Fire extinguishers

Before using a fire extinguisher know how to use it:

• Read the instructions that come with the extinguisher and become familiar with its parts before a fire breaks out.
• To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:
  

  • Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.

  • Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
  • Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
  • Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

Choose the correct extinguisher:

• A multipurpose ABC extinguisher large enough to put a small fire but not so heavy you cannot handle it.
• Never discharge a multipurpose fire extinguisher onto a pan fire. It can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen and spread the fire.

Before fighting a fire ensure:

• You know how to you use the fire extinguisher
• Everyone has left the home and that someone is calling 911
• The fire is small, confined, and not spreading
• You have a clear escape route

Monthly fire extinguisher maintenance:

• Ensure the extinguisher is visible and easy to retrieve
• Pressure gauge shows fully charged. Needle should always be in the green.
• Hose and nozzle should be free of cracks, tears or blockages
• Make sure the pull pin is in place. This will ensure the extinguisher has not been discharged and will prevent accidental discharging
• Check canister to ensure no dents, leaks, rust.
• Dry powder should move freely inside canister.

Home fire escape plan

Sit down with everyone in your household and discuss how each person will get out the home in a fire. Consider drawing a floor plan of your home identifying all escape routes from each room.

• Make sure everyone knows two ways out of each room, if possible.
• If a door is blocked by smoke or fire, discuss an alternate escape route such as a window.
• Make sure all windows open easily.

• Security bars on windows should have quick releasing devices so they can be removed 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 or a neighbor's home are good choices. In case of fire everyone should go directly to this meeting place to be accounted for.
• Never re-enter a burning building.
• Once you have safely escaped, call 911 from outside your home using a cell phone or from your neighbor's home.
• Ensure all family members know your home address.
• Practice your escape plan with everyone in your home. Make sure everyone can get out quickly.

Hidden Hazards

Fireplace

A fire in a fireplace can reach temperatures form 500 to 600 degress.

The glass doors on a fireplace can get very hot. Teach children to stay at least 3 feet away from the fireplace.

Children can easily lean on or fall on a fireplace screen or glass doors.

For additional protection:

• Install a steel fireplace screen that provides a safety zone in front of the glass door.
• Install a child guard fence around the fireplace.
• Always keep a close eye on children when a fireplace or stove is in use.

Clothes dryer

Doing the laundry is part of everyday life. Clothes dryer safety can be easy to overlook.

To prevent a clothes dryer fire:

• Do not use the dryer without a lint filter
• Clean the lint filter before or after every use
• Do not overload your dryer
• Never leave the dryer unattended.
• Turn off the dryer before leaving your home or going to bed
• Use proper rigid or flexible metal venting materials

Compact fluorescent light bulbs

These energy saving light bulbs use less electricity. They contain small trace of mercury within the glass. They require special care.

If a compact fluorescent light bulb breaks:

• People and pets should leave the room
• Open a window. Allow the room to air out for 5 to 10 minutes
• Turn off forced air heating and or air conditioner systems
• Collect broken glass and visible powder using a stiff piece of cardboard, tape, or damp paper towel.
• Contain debris in a glass jar. Recycle as you would a burned out bulb
• Continue to air the room for several hours

Water heater/furnace closet

Many homes have a utility closet for the water heater and furnace. This space is intended for utilities only and should not be used as a storage closet.

To keep your utility closet safe:

• Make sure the closet door has air vents within 12 inches from the floor level and 12 inches from the furnace closet ceiling
• Never store household items in the furnace or water heater closet
• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from the furnace and water heater
• Have your furnace inspected annually by a professional

9 volt batteries

9 volt batteries are used in smoke alarms and other household items. Many people don't realize they can be a fire hazard. If a metal item touched the two posts of a 9 volt battery, it can cause a short circuit and generate enough heat to start a fire.

Storing 9 volt batteries:

• Keep in original packaging until you are ready to use them
• Store batteries upright and prevent the posts from coming in contact with metal objects such as keys, paper clips, coins, or aluminum foil.
• Cover posts with masking, duct or electrical tape for storage or disposal
• It's a good idea to cover the posts of all batteries

Junior firefighter safety camp

Our summer program has been created to provide hands on experience on a variety of fire and life safety skills, along with emergency preparedness.

An age appropriate curriculum will be delivered by our Ontario Certified Fire Prevention Officer/Registered Early Childhood Educator.

Limited to 20 Campers per week as to encourage:

• Sportsmanship
• Leadership
• Team spirit
• A positive sense of self esteem.

Training Topics Include:

• Hands on Portable Fire Extinguishers
• Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms
• Kitchen & Safe Cooking
• Home Fire Escape Planning
• Fire Trucks & Equipment/Protective Clothing
• First Aid/CPR/AED Awareness
• 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness

Contact us to obtain more information on our summer camp.