Victoria Day in the County of Brant

Victoria Day is Monday, May 18. As you enjoy the long weekend, be sure to review the notices below for holiday hours, service updates, and important fireworks safety information.

View our Victoria Day Hours notice 

View our Fireworks Safety notice

Fire Prevention and Safety

The County of Brant Fire Prevention team offers information and resources to help you and your family take fire prevention and safety into your own hands.

On this page:

Barn Fire Prevention

Visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs webpage for more information on:

  • Main causes of barn fires
  • How to prevent
  • New technologies
  • Resources

BBQ Safety

Choose a BBQ with a CSA, ITS, or ULC certification label. Follow manufacturer instructions and have repairs completed by a trained professional.

Seasonal Safety Check

  • Propane cylinders must be re-certified every 10 years.
  • Use BBQs outdoors only, on level ground, at least one metre (three feet) from buildings and combustibles.
  • Inspect and clean the BBQ annually before first use.
  • Replace damaged burners, hoses, and worn or missing “O-rings”.
  • Clean burner tubes to remove insects and debris.

Check for Gas Leaks

  • Apply a soap and water solution to all connections after connecting the cylinder.
  • With the BBQ off, slowly open the valve, bubbles indicate a leak.
  • Turn off the gas and contact a certified gasfitter before use.

Safe Use

  • Light matches before turning on gas or follow igniter instructions.
  • Flames should be mostly blue.
  • Keep grease away from hoses and propane cylinders.
  • Never store extra propane cylinders near the BBQ or inside a structure.
  • Keep children and pets away.
  • Never use a BBQ indoors.
  • After cooking, turn off burners and gas supply and close the lid.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas. CO can be emitted from devices that burn energy like furnaces, heaters, fireplaces, gas-powered vehicles and stoves. When you inhale CO, it can cause flu-like symptoms, and at high concentrations, brain damage and death.

To prevent toxic carbon monoxide levels inside your home:

  • Install carbon monoxide alarms to monitor the concentration of CO in the air
  • Watch for CO exposure symptoms
  • Smell for sharp, penetrating odours or smell of gas when fuel-burning equipment turns on
  • Make sure pilot light of fuel-burning equipment remains on
  • Watch for chalky, white power on the chimney/exhaust vent pipe or soot build-up

Carbon Monoxide Safety Brochure

Chimney Fire Safety

Regular chimney care is essential to protecting your home, family, and property during the heating season.

  • Annual cleaning is the standard, ideally in the spring after the heating season ends, or in late summer/early fall before you start using it again. It is highly recommended to hire a WETT-certified (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) technician to perform the inspection and cleaning.
  • Dirty chimneys are a leading cause of chimney fires that can damage structures, destroy homes, and cause serious injury or death.
  • Chimney fires can burn explosively, producing loud rumbling noises similar to a freight train or low-flying airplane.
  • Flames or dense smoke may shoot from the top of the chimney, making these fires easy to recognize.
  • Some chimney fires burn slowly and quietly, with little to no visible warning.
  • Slow-burning fires still reach extremely high temperatures and can severely damage the chimney and nearby combustible materials.
  • With regular inspections, cleanings, and proper maintenance, chimney fires are entirely preventable.

A little prevention goes a long way. Routine chimney care allows you to safely enjoy the warmth and comfort of your fireplace all winter long.

Christmas Tree Fire Safety

A real Christmas tree brings warmth and tradition to your home—but it also needs proper care to stay safe. Follow these simple tips to reduce fire risks and keep your holidays worry-free:

  • Choose a fresh tree and keep the base of the trunk in water at all times.
  • Use a sturdy tree stand that can hold enough water to keep the tree hydrated throughout the day.
  • Water your tree daily. A dry tree can become a serious fire hazard.
  • Watch for falling needles. Excessive needle drop is a sign that your tree is drying out.
  • Never place lit candles on or near the Christmas tree.
  • Keep heat sources away from the tree, including furnace vents, radiators, space heaters, and non-LED lights.
  • When choosing lights. Pick lights that are listed for using in Canada. Look for ULC, CSA or other recognized approval markings.

A well-hydrated tree is a safer tree. With a little daily care, you can enjoy the beauty of your Christmas tree while keeping your home and loved ones safe.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are an essential safety tool designed to control or put out small fires before they spread. They come in different classes based on the type of fire—such as ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, electrical equipment, or cooking oils. It’s important to ensure extinguishers are easily accessible, regularly inspected, and that users are familiar with the PASS method: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. Having a working fire extinguisher on hand can save property—and lives.

The County of Brant Fire Department is pleased to offer Fire Extinguisher Training Courses for workplaces. These sessions provide hands-on instruction to ensure staff are prepared to respond safely and effectively in the event of a fire.

For more information, please visit Fire Extinguisher Training webpage.

Fire Hydrant Winter Safety 

Did you know that there are over 1000 hydrants in the County of Brant? When the snow piles up, our local firefighters need your help to keep every second counting.

If you have a hydrant near your home or business, take it under your wing. Shoveling it out is a neighbourly act of kindness that could save a life. Clear a one-metre (3-foot) radius all the way around the hydrant. This gives emergency crews the room they need to connect hoses and work their magic safely.

A buried hydrant can waste precious minutes during an emergency. By spending 5-10 minutes with a shovel today, you ensure our first responders can act instantly tomorrow.

If you are unable to clear a hydrant near you due to physical limitations, or if a hydrant is completely buried by a plow, you can contact the County of Brant Operations team at 519.44BRANT (442.7268) or toll-free 1.888.44BRANT for assistance.

House Recovery  

House Fire Recovery Guide

Smoke Alarms

You are legally required to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas according to the Ontario Fire Code. This applies to all owner-occupied or rented single-family, semi-detached and town homes.

  • Homeowners and landlords may have to purchase additional smoke alarms to comply with this law
  • Rental tenants should contact their landlord if they do not have the required number of smoke alarms. Tenants cannot remove batteries or tamper with alarms in any way
  • Mobile homes, recreational vehicles (RVs) and trailers must have working smoke alarms
  • As a homeowner, tenant or landlord, non-compliance with the Fire Code can result in a ticket for $235 or a fine up to $50,000

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