Smoke alarms

Most fatal fires happen at night when you might be sleeping. A smoke alarm alerts you to the dangers of a fire and give you more time to escape. Every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.

Ontario's Ministry of Community Safety can help you:

• Install a smoke alarm
• Maintain your smoke alarm by testing, changing batteries and replacing old alarms
• Locate a good place for the alarm

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

Canadian municipalities observe Fire Prevention Week every year in early October. The campaign educates the public about the importance of fire safety.

Learn more about Fire Prevention Week. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides information on the campaign's theme each year.