Fire Safety

Knowing what to plan for and expect is key in an emergency. Across Clarington, we face a number of hazards, such as flooding, extreme heat, winter storms, thunderstorms and tornadoes. In addition to natural disasters, there are other types of risks, such as power outages and industrial or transportation accidents. Learn how to prepare for different types of emergencies.

Every household needs an emergency plan. It will help you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency.

Your family may not be together when an emergency occurs. Plan how to meet or contact one another, and discuss what you would do in different situations.

It only takes 20 minutes to complete a personalized plan online.

To fill out your home emergency plan, you will need to think about the following:

• Safe exits from your home and neighbourhood
• Meeting places to reunite with family or roommates
• Choosing a designated person to pick up your children should you be unavailable
• Contact persons, both close-by and out-of-town
• Special health needs
• Place for your pets to stay
• Risks in your region
• Location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve and floor drain

Keep your emergency plan in an easy-to-find, easy-to-remember place (for example, with your emergency kit). Photocopy your plan and keep it in your car or at work.

In an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Make sure your kit is easy to carry and everyone in the household knows where it is. Keep it in a backpack, duffle bag or suitcase with wheels, and keep it in an easy-to-reach place, such as your front hall closet.

Basic emergency kit

• Water - at least two litres of water per person per day. Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order.
• Food that won't spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods. Replace food and water once a year.
• Manual can opener
• Wind-up or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries) Wind-up or battery-powered radio (and extra batteries)
• First aid kit
• Spare keys to your car and house
• Some cash in smaller bills, such as $10 bills
• A copy of your emergency plan and contact information
• Special items such as prescription medication, infant formula, equipment for people with disabilities or food, water and medication for your pets or service animal

Recommended additional items

• Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning
• Candles and matches or a lighter (place candles in sturdy containers and do not burn unattended)
• Change of clothing and footwear for each household member
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
• Toiletries
• Hand sanitizer
• Utensils
• Garbage bags
• Toilet paper
• Household chlorine bleach or water purifying tablets
• Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, dust mask, pocket knife)
• Small fuel-operated stove and fuel (follow manufacturer's directions and store properly)
• A whistle (in case you need to attract attention)
• Duct tape (to tape up windows, doors, air vents, etc.)

Check your kit once a year to ensure contents are up to date. Re-stock as needed.

For more information, visit the GetPrepared.ca website.

Candle safety tips

Battery-powered LED candles or lanterns are a safer alternative to traditional candles. They provide light without the risk of an open flame and can be used as a safer lighting option during a power outage.

For traditional candles, keep these tips in mind: 

• Always place candles in sturdy, non-flammable holders on a stable surface.

• Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn, such as curtains, furniture, or decorations.

• Never leave candles unattended or within reach of children or pets.

• Extinguish candles before going to bed or leaving the room.

Learn more about Candle Safety Tips on the Health Canada website.

Home health care systems

Home health care systems like medical devices may use electricity to function correctly. Therefore, it’s essential to have a backup power plan to ensure continuous operation during a power outage.

Being prepared and having a plan for backup power during power outages is crucial for maintaining the functionality of home healthcare systems. Stay informed, communicate with your health care provider, and always prioritize safety.

• Consider investing in a battery-powered uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or a generator specifically designed for medical devices to provide emergency power during an outage.
• Keep spare batteries or mobile chargers for medical devices fully charged and easily accessible.
• Develop an emergency plan with a contingency for power outages.
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers, including your health care provider, medical equipment supplier, and local utility company, readily available.
• If using oxygen or other medical gases, ensure you have sufficient supplies to last during an outage and know how to use and store them safely.

Fire alarm and security monitoring companies

During a scheduled power outage, consider contacting your fire alarm and security monitoring companies to inform them. Your proactive communication can help ensure the smooth functioning of your fire alarm and security systems during and after the power outage and contribute to the safety and security of your building and its occupants.

By notifying your fire alarm and security monitoring companies in advance, they can be prepared to provide troubleshooting support remotely, if possible, dispatch necessary service calls to address any issues, adjust staffing levels and coordinate with local authorities.

Sump pumps

Sump pumps prevent basement flooding, especially during heavy rains or power outages. Having a backup power source, monitoring water levels, and keeping your sump pump well-maintained can help reduce the risk of water damage to your home.

• Develop an emergency plan in case of a sump pump failure during a power outage. Include buckets, mops, towels, and a wet/dry vacuum to manage any water intrusion.
• Keep an eye on the water level in the sump pump pit during a power outage. If the water level rises too high, consider using a manual pump or other means to remove excess water to prevent basement flooding.

More fires begin in the kitchen than in any other room in the home. In fact, residential cooking is one of the leading causes of fire-related deaths. The majority of kitchen fires start with cooking equipment, primarily stoves and microwave ovens.

Remember to:

• Keep pot handles turned toward the back of the stove. A small child could pull on a handle and be burned or scalded by its contents.
• Avoid loose clothing while cooking. Loose clothing can brush heating elements and easily catch fire.
• Never leave food cooking unattended on the stove.
• Never store frequently used items above the stove where you may be burned reaching to get them.
• Remove pans of cooking fat or oils from the stove when not in use. It's easy to turn on the wrong burner accidentally.
• Keep your stove and oven clean because built-up grease and food particles can easily ignite. Keep combustibles (i.e. curtains, dish towels, plastic or wood utensils, newspapers, grocery bags) away from the stove, oven and all appliances.
• Unplug kettles, frying pans and other appliances when not in use.

Smother grease or pan fires

• Turn off the stove. Smother flames with a pot lid or larger pan, if possible. Protect your hand with an oven mitt or wrapped dishtowel.
• Use an approved portable fire extinguisher only if you are familiar with its safe operation.
• Never throw water or use flour on a grease fire.
• In case of an oven fire, close the oven door and turn off the oven. Never touch or attempt to carry a flaming pot. The contents may spill, spread or burn you.
• If the fire is not brought under control immediately, get you and your family out and call 911.

What if I accidentally make contact with a flame or hot surface?

• If your clothing catches fire, stop where you are, drop to the ground, and roll back and forth to put the fire out.
• Immediately cool a burn with cool running water under a tap for five to 10 minutes and seek medical attention.

How safe is my microwave oven?

• Microwave ovens are safe appliances, but if you accidentally place a twist-tie or other piece of metal inside an oven, "arcing" may occur and pose a danger.
• In case of fire, unplug the appliance and do not open the microwave door until the flames are out.

What other steps can I take to prevent kitchen fires?

• Make stove controls easy to read from a distance - perhaps mark "off" with a bright red dot.
• Examine the stove and oven, toasters, coffee makers, and other cooking devices for signs of cracking, fraying or wear on cords and plugs.
• Look for signs of overheating.
• Check for recognized testing laboratory labels to show that the unit has been well designed.
• Keep matches out of reach of children. Explain the dangers to your children.

Fire extinguishment and evacuation

• A dry chemical fire extinguisher belongs in the kitchen. Mount it on the wall near an exit and not too close to the stove.
• Know when and how to operate your extinguisher; read the label carefully for directions.
• Remember, your first priority is to evacuate and call 911. When purchasing electrical appliances and fixtures, look for the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) seal of approval.
• When purchasing fire extinguishers and smoke alarms, look for the Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC) label.
• In case of fire or an emergency, call 911.

Read more cooking safety tips.

To minimize the risk of fire and injury, we do not recommend family fireworks or informal neighbourhood displays.

If you still choose to have family fireworks or an informal neighbourhood display, consumer fireworks must only be discharged in accordance with By-law 2015-047.

Apply for a fireworks permit

• View our fireworks safety poster (PDF)

Safety tips

• Appoint a responsible person to be in charge. Only adults who are aware of the hazards and essential safety precautions should handle and discharge fireworks.
• Carefully read and follow the label directions on fireworks packaging.
• Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks.
• Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.
• Keep onlookers a safe distance away, upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.
• Light only one firework at a time, and only when they are on the ground. Never try to light a firework in your hand or re-light dud fireworks. For dud fireworks, it is best to wait 30 minutes and soak them in a bucket of water. Dispose of them in a metal container.
• Discharge fireworks only if wind conditions do not create a safety hazard.
• Keep sparklers away from children. Sparklers burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing, cause blindness and result in severe burns. As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, it should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury.
• If someone is burned, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes and seek medical attention, if necessary.

You need to know the emergency and evacuation plans for your office or workplace. Fire can break out anywhere, including where you work. Each year numerous fires in the workplace cause injury and property loss.

If a fire started in your office or in the building where you work, would you know what to do? Do you know your workplace evacuation procedures in the event of an alarm? What can you do to prevent fires in your workplace?

Knowing the answers to these questions and following a few simple fire safety procedures can help save lives.

• Propane-fired outdoor gas fire pit
• TSSA Warnings

A leading cause of dryer fires in homes is the lack of dryer maintenance.

• View our safety tip sheet (PDF)

• Train Corridor Safety Poster (PDF)
• Rail safety tips from Canadian rail partners (PDF)

Children are more likely than adults to be injured in a fire. Teach your children the importance of fire safety at an early age.

For kid-friendly activities, videos and more visit, Sparky.org.

• Electrical product safety
• Firepot Safety Tips (PDF)
• Smoking Safety Tips