Fire Prevention and Resources

Barbecue Safety Tips

• Purchase only barbecues that have CSA, ITS or ULC label
• Remember to clean, maintain and perform safety inspections regularly
• Follow manufacturer's instructions or use a trained professional for repairs and inspections
• Use the barbecue away from your home, car, dry vegetation, deck rails, wood balconies, twigs, tablecloths and paper cups and plates
• Trim tree limbs near the barbecue area to prevent the spread of fire
• Use long-handled barbecue tongs and brushes to keep distance from the barbecue
• Keep children away from the barbecue
• Always have a fire extinguisher, baking soda and water ready to put out a fire
• Wear fitted clothing as flames can ignite loose clothing. Use a heavy apron and oven mitt that fits high up over your forearm
• Don't cook indoors with a barbecue (e.g. garages, sheds, etc.):  see barbecues in a ventilated outdoor area. Carbon monoxide can build up in an enclosed area.

• When finished, be sure the gas is off and flames are out, closing the lid to prevent re-ignition
• Solid fuels like wood, chemical blocks or charcoal leave hot, burnt coals that require careful disposal. Never add accelerants like gasoline to speed up a slow-burning barbecue

For more information read Technical Standards and Safety Authority.

What to do if you get burned:

• Run cool water over the burn for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Do not use butter or salve on burns - these products seal in heat and can cause further damage to the tissue. If you receive a serious burn with charred skin, seek medical attention immediately.

Gas Barbecue Tips

• Locate barbecues in cool outdoor areas
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions when fitting the gas cylinder to the barbecue
• If your barbecue connection area has an "O" ring, check it every time you connect the cylinder. Replace missing, cracked or damaged "O" rings
• After connecting the gas supply hose to the barbecue, open the propane cylinder or natural gas supply valve. Check for gas leaks by applying a soapy solution over the connections and hose. Soap bubbles will form if there is a leak. If a leak or fire occurs, turn off gas supply valve immediately
• To prevent excessive gas build-up, always light the barbecue as soon as the gas flow is turned on. If using a match to light the barbeque, always light the match before turning on the gas. If the barbecue is equipped with an electronic igniter, follow directions on the control panel. If the barbecue doesn't light or goes out, turn off the valves, leave the lid open, wait five minutes, then try again
• Never light a gas barbeque with the lid down. Gas trapped inside can easily ignite and cause the unit to explode
• Always ensure that the cylinder valves are either fully open or fully closed
• Prevent grease from dripping onto the hoses or cylinder, as grease build-up could be a potential fire hazard
• Ensure all valves are turned off when barbecue is not in use

Natural Gas Barbecue Tips

• Check the flames on your natural gas barbecue regularly - they should be mostly blue with yellow tips. If the flame is mostly yellow, stop using the barbeque and contact a qualified gasfitter.

Propane Barbecue Tips

• Propane cylinders MUST be retested every 10 years. Re-certification of the tank can be arranged through most propane filling stations
• Never store extra propane cylinders under your barbecue or inside any structure. Excess heat may overpressure the cylinder and cause it to release propane from the cylinder relief valve
• When transporting a propane cylinder, secure it in an upright position with a safety plug (POL plug) in place and keep the transport area well ventilated to prevent propane gas build up. A POL plug will prevent gas leakage when the valve is accidentally turned on, and is available through your local dealer

Solid Fuel Barbecue

• Use recommended solid fuel fire starters only - accelerants such as gasoline can flash-back and explode. Electric fire starters are also available
• Store the remaining fire starter fluid in a safe place away from the grill
• Do not add fire starter fluid to the fire after it has started. A vapour trail leading to the container can cause explosion and injury
• Be sure fire starter fluids are not accessible to children, as they are poisonous when swallowed. Special childproof caps are available at your local dealer
• Before disposing of the ashes, ensure they are thoroughly extinguished. Live coals or hot embers can start a fire

Escape Planning

The Ontario Fire Marshal encourages everyone to make a plan for how to get out of their home in the event of a fire.

To create a home fire escape plan:

• Install working smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas - It's the law! - Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm
• Assess the needs of everyone in the home - Identify anyone who requires assistance to get out of the home safely, such as small children or older adults
• Identify all possible exits (doors and windows) and make sure they work - know two ways out of all areas, if possible
• Plan what to do when the smoke alarm sounds - Assign someone to help those who need assistance, identify a safe meeting place outside and call the fire department from a neighbour's home or cell phone
• Get low and go - Everyone must know that if they are caught in smoke they should get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit

You may have only seconds to safely escape your home. Practice your home fire escape plan and make sure everyone can get out quickly.

Juvenile Fire Setters

You can easily prevent chimney and wood heating appliance fires by taking proper safety measures:

• Install stoves and fireplaces properly - wood stoves should be at least one metre away from combustible surfaces and have proper floor support and protection
• Only burn dry, well-seasoned wood
• Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction/design and be ULC listed
• Have your chimney inspected annually and cleaned if needed, especially if it has not been used recently
• Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening to prevent embers/sparks from jumping out, unwanted material from going in and prevent burns to occupants
• Burn the stove hot twice a day for 15 to 30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup
• Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces - it is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire
• Never burn charcoal indoors - burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide
• Keep flammable materials away from your mantel/ keep anything that can burn at least 1 metre away from fireplace
• Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house
• If synthetic logs are use, follow the directions on the package. Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher amounts of carbon monoxide
• Do not burn newspaper, wrapping paper or dried greenery
• Never use flammable liquids for any reason in a fireplace

Holiday Tree Safety

It's time to trim that tree, and if you’re using a real tree, buy it fresh and keep the base of the trunk in water at all times. Keep your tree away from any ignition sources such as the fireplace, heaters or candles. Here are some tips to prevent fires during the holiday season:

• Water fresh trees daily
• Check all sets of lights before decorating
• Make sure you have working smoke alarms
• Make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms
• Make sure everyone knows how to get our safely if a fire occurs
• Use extension cords wisely
• Make sure to blow out those candles if you leave the house