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Home Fire Safety

The safest home is a home that doesn’t have a fire, and almost every home fire is the result of human complacency or misbehavior. Instead of focusing on fire extinguishers and fire blankets, consider the following tips to prevent a house fire in the first place:

Electrical Fire Safety

Extension Cord Care:

  • Avoid using extension cords as permanent wiring.
  • Not all extension cords are created equal! Check that the cord you are using is rated for the device you have plugged into it, and rated for outdoor use if that’s where it’s being used.
  • Never run cords through pinch points like doorways, windows, or under rugs.
  • If the prongs are loose or damaged, stop using the cord.
  • Never break off the ground pin on an extension cord.
  • Extension cords are not supposed to get warm. Warm cable? Unplug and figure out what’s going wrong.

Safe Use of Devices:

  • Appliances, tools and devices with heaters or motors draw a lot of current from your electrical system. Never use these high-amperage devices together on the same outlet. If you must use the same outlet, unplug the devices when not in use.
  • A damaged cord is a fire waiting to happen. If the power cable is nicked, broken, cut, or help together with tape then it’s time for a proper repair or replacement.
  • If the device’s plug no longer sits snugly in the outlet stop using the outlet until the outlet (or the plug) can be replaced.

Treat Rechargeable Devices with Respect:

  • Never use a cell phone or tablet while it’s plugged in and charging. The cord and charging port on the device will eventually become damaged.
  • Charge devices on a hard surface that doesn’t readily absorb heat. Never charge on a bed, pillow, couch or other fabrics.
  • If your charging cable isn’t working right anymore stop using it. Replace the cable with a new one that’s made for your device.

If it doesn’t work right anymore STOP USING IT!

Heating and HVAC Safety

Gas and Propane Furnaces and Heaters:

  • Ensure furnaces are installed and maintained by a qualified contractor.
  • These devices work by drawing air into the device, heating it, and re-introducing it to the home. Ensure good airflow around the device as well as near intakes and exhausts.
  • If it’s not working right, stop using it and get it serviced immediately.
  • If your heating device is rated for outdoor use only, that’s likely because it produces copious amounts of carbon monoxide. Never use a salamander, BBQ, or other outdoor-rated device for interior heat.

Woodstoves and Fireplaces:

  • Ensure all woodstoves and inserts are installed by a professional and WETT certified.
  • Keep combustible furniture and decorations away from any hot surfaces.
  • Never leave a wood-fired appliance unattended. Stay with it until all contents and extinguished and cooled.
  • Ensure the appliance and chimney system are free of build-up and blockages before starting the appliance or fireplace.
  • Have the appliance, flue, and chimney system inspected by a qualified person annually and whenever the appliance does not behave normally.

Cooking Safety

Stand By Your Pan!

  • Stay with your cooking… stove in the kitchen, microwave or BBQ in the backyard, stay with the appliance from start-up until you turn it off.
  • Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing and tie back long hair when working over a stove or BBQ.
  • Take the time to enter cook times and set timers properly.
  • Never cook while judgement is impaired. Drugs, alcohol or prescription medications can make you drowsy or affect your ability to react appropriately to the warning signs of an eminent fire.
  • Keep young children and pets away from hot surfaces.

Use Appliances as Per Manufacturer Instructions

  • The bottom drawer under most stoves is a warming tray, not a storage area. It’s designed to get hot and therefore not a place to keep meltable items. Check your manufacturer instructions to be sure.
  • BBQs require clearances to siding, railings, and overhead construction. Make sure you have the proper clearances to use your BBQ safely.
  • Propane tanks must be stored outside, but they don’t have to be stored right beside the BBQ. Store extra tanks away from the BBQ. Ensure that you have connected a new tank properly before light-up.
  • BBQs that produce an open-flame are not permitted to be operated on balconies of multi-unit residential buildings in Norfolk County.

Unattended Cooking Devices are the Leading Cause of Kitchen Fires

Smoking Safety

Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire death and critical injury, and smoking fires are almost always the result of complacency and bad habits developed over time. To ensure you aren’t the next victim of a smoking fire consider the following:

  • Smoke outside in an unconfined space whenever possible.
  • Smoke in a location that’s not comfortable. It’s easy to fall asleep in a soft chair or in a bed.
  • Never smoke while intoxicated or while using medications that make you drowsy.

Safe Disposal is Key!

  • Make sure the butt is out. Run it under water for best results.
  • Never toss a butt hoping that it will go out on it’s own.
  • Ensure your ashtrays and butt buckets are non-combustible.
  • Potting soil and peat moss are combustible… a planting pot is not a good place for a discarded cigarette.

Open Air Burning

A recreational campfire like the one in this photo is the only fire permitted without a burn permit in Norfolk County. The fire must consist of clean dry firewood only, be sized no more than 26″ in any direction, and be at least 4m from any tree, tree canopy, long grass, building or property line. Burning of leaves, sticks and other yard waste requires a permit, as does burning larger fires or fires for non-recreational purposes.

Please see the Burn Bylaw Page for more information.

Candles

  • Never leave a lit candle unattended.
  • Use wide-diameter candles on sturdy surfaces whenever possible. If a stick candle is used, ensure it is secured to a sturdy base.
  • Never light candles in places where they can be reached by young children, pet’s tails, curtains, or loose clothing.
  • Use hurricane-style shades whenever possible to shield the flame from blowing in a breeze or from contact with other items.

Space Heaters

  • Use space heaters as per manufacturer instructions regarding power supply and clearances to combustibles.
  • Never use a space heater in a confined space, such as under a desk or blanket.
  • Stay away from the space heater… keep feet, hands, and hair away from hot surfaces.
  • Only use a space heater that automatically shuts off if it’s tipped over… then be sure to position the heater so that it will never tip over.
  • If it stops working right, stop using it. Get the space heater repaired or replaced.