Smoke alarms

Most fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping. A working smoke alarm will detect smoke and sound to alert you. 

In Ontario, it's the law for all homes to have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. This covers single family, semi-detached and town homes, whether owner-occupied or rented.

Learn more about smoke alarms, including how to install and maintain them, by vising the Ontario Association of Fire Chief's smoke alarm information page.

Carbon monoxide alarms

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, toxic gas that enters the body through the lungs, while you are breathing. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to severe injury and even death.

Ontario's Fire Code states that carbon monoxide alarms are required near all sleeping areas and service rooms in homes and adjacent sleeping areas in multi-residential units. You can hardwire carbon monoxide alarms, insert batteries or plug them into an outlet.

Learn more about where carbon monoxide comes from, how to install and maintain an alarm, and how to tell if there is a leak in your home with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs' carbon monoxide information page.

Fire extinguishers

The Ontario Fire Code outlines the locations and usage of fire extinguishers in buildings. There are different types of fire extinguishers. Learn where to place fire extinguishers and how to operate them.

Our Fire Department offers fire extinguisher training for a small fee. The training takes about an hour and includes classroom learning and live training. Email the fire department or call 705-848-3232 to book a training appointment.

A fire class letter marks each type of fire extinguisher and its coloured geometric symbol tells you what type of fire it is meant for.

• Fire Class A – Green symbol and meant for ordinary solid combustibles
• Fire Class B – Red symbol and meant for flammable liquids and gases
• Fire Class C – Blue symbol and meant for electrical equipment
• Fire Class D – Yellow star symbol and meant for combustible metals
• Fire Class K – Black symbol and meant for cooking oils

Fire safety plans

The Ontario Fire Code requires a fire safety plan for most buildings. This plan is used as a resource for all building owners, property managers or those controlling properties. The plan outlines what is needed to protect people if there is a fire. Fire safety plans also ensure an orderly evacuation during an emergency.

Pick one up a fire safety plan at the fire station.

Fire Prevention Week Oct 9-15, 2022 - Fire Won't Wait. Plan Your Escape.

The 100^th annual Fire Prevention Week runs from October 9-15, 2022. This year's theme is "Fire Won't Wait. Plan Your Escape." 

Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes – or even less – to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.

The Elliot Lake Fire Department encourages everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Here's a few home fire escape planning tips:

• Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your household members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
• Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

For more information about fire prevention, visit:

NFPA: www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week

Sparky’s Fire Safety Club: www.sparky.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTc7ljaufbE