1. Cooking

Cooking is the number one cause of residential fires in Ontario. Many fatal fires are caused by people attempting to cook while under the influence of alcohol. Keep a close eye on anyone in your household who is drinking and attempts to cook.

Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths in Ontario. Encourage smokers to smoke outside and never allow anyone in your home to smoke in bed.

• Never extinguish cigarettes in plant pots, which often contain a mixture of peat moss, shredded wood and bark that can easily ignite.
• Use large deep ashtrays that can't be knocked over.
• Empty ashtrays into a metal container, not the garbage can, and store the container outside.

3. Candles

Candles are a common cause of home fires and are easily preventable. Ensure lit candles are kept out of reach of children and pets. Don't forget to always blow out candles before leaving the room.

• Keep all combustible materials, including decorative materials and wreaths, away from lit candles.
• Secure candles in a sturdy holder, in a location where they can't be knocked over.
• Buy good quality candles that are smoke-free and drip-free.

4. Electrical

Don't let your home improvement dream become a nightmare. Follow the law by using licensed electricians. Find out what's required if your renovation plans include electrical work by contacting the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). ESA also posts a list of electrical product recalls.

• Extension cords should be used only as a temporary connection. If permanent wiring is required, have additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician.
• Check electrical cords for damage such as fraying or nicks and avoid running them under rugs. A damaged cord can expose wires and result in a potential shock or fire hazard.
• Avoid overloading a circuit with "octopus outlets". If additional outlets or circuits are required, have them installed by a licensed electrician.

5. Matches and Lighters

Every year in Ontario, children are injured or die in fires they start themselves. In the hands of children, matches and lighters can be deadly weapons.

• Keep all fire starting materials out of the sight and reach of children.
• Teach young children not to touch matches and to tell an adult if they find them.
• If you suspect your child is involved in inappropriate fireplay call Pickering Fire Services, Fire Prevention for information and assistance.

Smoke Alarms

Working smoke alarms can increase your chances of surviving a fire by up to 50%. It is the responsibility of homeowners to install and maintain smoke alarms on every storey of their home and outside all sleeping areas. It is against the law to remove the batteries or tamper with smoke alarms in any way.

It is the responsibility of homeowners and landlords to install and maintain smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. Failure to install and maintain working smoke alarms could result in a ticket for $360 or a fine of up to $50,000 for a first time offence and $100,000 for a subsequent offence for individuals, or a fine of up to $100,000 for a first time offence and $1,500,000 for a subsequent offence for corporations.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

A properly installed and maintained carbon monoxide alarm can alert you to when the poisonous gas is present. They usually have a life expectancy of approximately 5-7 years or as indicated by the manufactures requirements. If the alarm sounds, evacuate your home quickly. Call the Pickering Fire Services at 911 from outside and ask them to check your home for the presence of carbon monoxide. 

• If your home has a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, install a CO alarm adjacent to each sleeping area.
• For optimum protection, it is recommended that additional CO alarms be installed in other levels and/or areas of the home that are in proximity to a CO source, subject to the distance limits provided in the product's instruction manual.

It is the responsibility of homeowners and landlords to install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas. Failure to install and maintain working carbon monoxide alarms could result in a ticket for $360 or a fine of up to $50,000 for a first time offence and $100,000 for a subsequent offence for individuals, or a fine of up to $100,000 for a first time offence and $1,500,000 for a subsequent offence for corporations.
 

You may only have seconds to safely escape your home if there is a fire. Know what to do when the smoke alarms sounds. Sit down with everyone in your household and discuss how each person will get out of the home if a fire occurs. Plan and practise your escape, it could save your life tonight!

1. Make sure everyone knows two ways out of each room

• If the door of a room is blocked by smoke or fire, discuss an alternate escape route such as additional exits or windows.
• Make sure all windows open easily and screens can be removed.
• Security bars on windows should have quick-releasing devices so they can be easily removed.

2. 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.

3. Choose a meeting place outside

• A tree, street light or the end of the driveway are great meeting places. Make sure the meeting place is in the front of the home.
• In case of fire, everyone should go directly to the meeting place to be accounted for.
• Avoid going to a neighbour's home until Pickering Fire Services has arrived on scene, so firefighters know occupants are safe. 

If you come across smoke while escaping, get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit. Most fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation. Get out and stay out! Never re-enter a burning building. Once you have safely escaped, call the Pickering Fire Services from outside your home using a cell phone or from a neighbour's home.