Safety Tips

1. Always extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to sleep to ensure the flame is never left unattended.
2. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental tipping or exposure to the flame.
3. Place candles in sturdy containers and ensure they are at least 0.3 meters (one foot) away from anything that could catch fire, including clothing, furniture, and holiday decorations like Christmas trees.
4. Avoid placing lit candles in windows where they could be easily knocked over or come into contact with flammable materials outside.
5. Never allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms to reduce the risk of fire while they sleep.
6. Store matches and lighters in safe places—up high and ideally locked away from children, to prevent curiosity from leading to dangerous situations.
7. Teach children that matches and lighters are tools for adults only and should never be handled by anyone not under supervision.

• Never use generators indoors or in poorly ventilated spaces, as they emit carbon monoxide, a deadly gas.
• Ensure all extension cords are rated for outdoor use and in good condition to avoid electrical shocks or fires.
• Turn off electrical appliances when the power goes out, and wait for the system to be restored before turning them back on to avoid overloading the circuits.
• Install battery-operated carbon monoxide smoke alarms if using gas-powered generators or other alternative power sources.

To minimize the risk of fire and burn injury, the fire service recommends the following cottage fire safety tips:

Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. It’s the law for all Ontario homes, cottages, cabins and seasonal homes to have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.

• Test smoke alarms at least monthly or each time you return to the cottage. Pack a new smoke alarm and extra smoke alarm batteries in case they need replacement.
• Install and ensure carbon monoxide alarms in your cottage if it has a fuel-burning appliance.
• Develop and practice a home fire escape plan to ensure everyone knows what to do if the smoke alarm sounds.
• Know the telephone number for the local fire department and your cottage’s emergency sign number, in case of emergency.
• Clean barbecues before using them. Keep an eye on lit barbecues and ensure all combustibles, as well as children and pets are kept well away from them. Fires can happen when barbecues are left unattended.
• Keep barbecue lighters and matches out of sight and reach of children.
• Remember to bring a flashlight with extra batteries.
• Check heating appliances and chimneys before using them.
• Check with your local fire department, municipality, or Ministry of Natural Resources to determine whether open air burning is permitted before having a campfire or burning brush. If open burning is allowed, fires should be built on bare soil or on exposed rock. Remove leaves and twigs from around the fire to keep it from spreading. Always keep a bucket of water, sand, or even a shovel close by and supervise the fire at all times.
• If you must smoke, do so outside. Keep a large can with water nearby so cigarette butts can be safely discarded. If you drink, do so responsibly. Tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption are contributing factors in many fires and can lead to serious injuries.
• Burn candles in sturdy candleholders that will not tip and are covered with a glass shade. When you go out, blow out!

• Ensure woodstoves, fireplaces and fireplace inserts are installed by a qualified technician according to manufacturer’s instructions
• Have your heating system, vents and chimneys inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified service technician
• Ensure all outside heating vents are not blocked
• Allow ashes from your woodstove or fireplace to cool before emptying them into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep the container outside.
• Always use a fire screen around the fireplace!