Keeping your home safe is essential for protecting your family and property. Start by ensuring you have a working carbon monoxide detector, smoke alarm, fire extinguisher, and a well-stocked first aid kit. It’s important to place a fire extinguisher on every level of your home, especially in the kitchen, and make sure everyone knows where they are located. All capable adults and older children should also be familiar with how to use them.
- Don’t forget to check the expiration dates of your fire extinguishers or contact Regional Fire Services for additional information.
- Additionally, older children and adults should know how to shut off your home’s water, electricity, and gas in case of emergencies. Clearly mark these shut-off points with large, easy-to-see signs for quick access.
- Make sure children know when and how to dial 9-1-1, and establish a designated out-of-town contact for emergencies. During a crisis, limit phone calls to urgent matters, keeping them brief to ensure phone lines remain open for others.
By following these tips, you can help safeguard your home and loved ones in any emergency situation.
Holiday Safety Tips
Festive celebrations, flickering lights and winter greens are hallmarks of the holiday season, but they also present fire risks that can quickly turn this festive time of year into a devastating one.
Fire safety risks increase during the holiday season. Special care and attention must be taken in our homes. That starts with checking smoke alarms to make sure they work. Simply press the test button on the bottom of the smoke alarm, if it sounds, your smoke alarm is working.
Cooking Safety
- Always stay in the kitchen when cooking. Turn your stove off if you have to leave the kitchen, even for a second.
- A large number of fires start in the kitchen from cooking with oil. Be careful when deep-frying foods. The safest way is to use a temperature-controlled skillet or deep-fat fryer appliance.
- Never try to extinguish a cooking oil fire with water. Keep a lid close by that can be used to smother a fire if one starts.
Christmas Trees
For many, the Christmas tree is an important part of the Christmas season. There are many different types of trees including fresh and artificial trees.
Download Christmas Tree Safety Tips
Fresh tree tips
- Fresh Christmas trees must remain healthy throughout the holiday season. Start by choosing a tree with a strong green colour and noticeable fragrance. fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
- A tree with high moisture content is safer and very few needles should fall when the base of the tree is tapped on the ground.
- Cut three to five centimetres from the base of the trunk and make sure it is immersed in water at all times.
- Place the tree in a stand that will hold two to three litres of water and check the water level daily to ensure the tree is always immersed in water. A dried-out tree becomes a fire hazard and will ignite very quickly.
Artificial tree tips
If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labelled, certified, or identified as fire-retardant.
Whether you have a fresh or artificial tree, make sure you keep your tree a safe distance from any heat sources like a fireplace, radiator, candle, heat vent, or lights. Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
Courtesy of NFPA’s website showing how flammable a dry Christmas tree can be, as opposed to one that is watered regularly.
Light Safety
- Use Christmas tree lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory and make sure that they are used correctly. They should be labelled for indoor or outdoor use.
- Discard any strings of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Check for kinks, damage to the wire and loose connections – when plugging in a cord, make sure it fits snug inside the outlet.
- Make sure to use CSA approved power bars and do not overload power bars.
- LED light strings are energy-efficient, produce very little heat and reduce the risk of fire. Not only are they safer to use but they will also cost less on power bills as they use less energy.
- Always turn off tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.
- Never leave a lit candle unattended. Only use safe holders for candles and keep lit candles safely away from children and pets. Blow out all candles before leaving the room or going to bed. Burning candles need to be at least 0.3 metres (1 ft) away from anything that can burn.
Fireplace Safety
- Use only clean, dry seasoned wood in your fireplace.
- Never burn gift wrapping, boxes, cartons or other types of packaging in the fireplace. They burn too rapidly and generate too much heat.
- Don't hang Christmas stockings from the mantel when the fireplace is in use.
- Always use a screen in front of the fireplace to protect against flying sparks.
- Don't use Christmas trees for firewood.
Entertaining In Your Home
- Guests staying overnight should be aware of a home fire escape plan. Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone else that may need assistance. Let them know where to meet in case of a fire.
- Test your smoke alarms to ensure they are working properly.
- Make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms.
- Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
- Keep matches and lighters up high and away from children.
- Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers outdoors. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding them.
- Alcohol and fire are a dangerous mix. Keep a close eye on anyone attempting to cook or smoke while under the influence of alcohol.
Carbon Monoxide Safety
- Maintain gas-fired appliances and have them inspected annually.
- Do not run a vehicle inside the garage and move it out quickly after starting.
Smoke Alarm Safety Tips
Courtesy of NFPA’s website
Smoke alarms save lives
Did you know according to Provincial fire statistics:
- 62 percent of homes that had a fire did not have a smoke alarm installed
- In the cases where smoke alarms were installed, only 41 percent of the alarms were activated. Most did not activate because they didn't have a power source - no battery, dead battery, electrical supply was off or it was disconnected.
People who die in home fires often die from breathing in smoke and toxic gases emitted from the fire. Don't let this happen to you. Follow these tips below.
Smoke alarm tips
- Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
- To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm. The alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date.
- How do I check the manufacture date on my smoke alarm? (3.7 MB)
- Place smoke alarms on the ceiling in every bedroom and on every floor of your home.
- Adding a smoke alarm is easy. Buy a battery-operated alarm and install it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Test all smoke alarms monthly with smoke.
- Place smoke alarms away from kitchens, bathrooms, and air vents.
- When your smoke alarm is activated without the presence of smoke or fire, it is called a 'nuisance alarm'. This may happen because the smoke alarm needs to be cleaned or is too close to appliances that release smoke or steam. Consider moving your smoke alarm further away from your kitchen or bathroom. Do not deactivate or remove the batteries from the alarm. Working smoke alarms save lives.
- Change batteries twice a year (recommended when you change your clocks).
- Modern smoke detectors/alarms now come with a 10-year battery that does not need to be replaced during the lifespan of the device. Check the manufacturer's instructions.
Proper installation of a smoke alarm is very important as well. Smoke alarms should be installed on a wall or ceiling only, according to the manufacturer's instructions. It must be a minimum of 10 cm (4") away from the wall and a minimum of 6 metres (20 feet) from any heat-producing appliances such as stoves and fireplaces.
Learn more about smoke alarms.
Additional resources
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Safety Tips
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, tasteless, and odourless gas that can be deadly. CO is produced when fuels like propane, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil, or wood do not burn completely in fuel-burning appliances and devices such as furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, stoves, barbecues, portable heaters, and generators. Having a properly installed and maintained carbon monoxide alarm is the only warning of dangerous CO gases in your home.
CO Alarm
- Your CO alarm sounds different from your smoke alarm. Test both alarms monthly (press the test button) and make sure everyone in your home knows the difference between the two alarm sounds.
- Replace batteries every year according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Learn the difference between the CO alarm's low-battery warning, end-of-life warning and an emergency alarm. Be sure to check the CO alarm manufacturer's instructions.
How do I prevent the build-up of CO in my home?
- Ensure fuel-burning appliances, chimneys and vents are cleaned and inspected by professionals every year before the cold weather starts.
- Ensure vents from the dryer, furnace, stove, fireplace and other fuel-burning appliances are always clear of snow and other debris.
- Gas and charcoal barbeques must be outside, away from all doors, windows, vents and other building openings; never use barbeques inside garages, even if the garage is open.
- Portable fuel-burning generators must be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from windows, doors, vents and other building openings.
- Ensure all portable fuel-burning heaters are vented properly, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
- Open the flue for adequate ventilation before using a fireplace.
- Never run a vehicle or other fuelled engine or motor inside a garage, even if the garage doors are open.
- Always remove a vehicle from the garage immediately after starting it.
What do I do if the CO alarm sounds?
- Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness, as well as confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and death.
- If your CO alarm sounds and you or other occupants suffer from symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the home immediately. Then call 9-1-1 from outside the building.
- If your CO alarm sounds and no one is suffering from symptoms of CO poisoning, check to see if the battery needs replacing, or the alarm has reached its "end of life" before calling 9-1-1.
Additional resources
Fire Extinguisher Safety tips
Purchase a fire extinguisher for your home and keep it handy in the event of a small fire. Make sure you know what to look for when buying a fire extinguisher for your home.
- Always check for certification marks and identification, such as a designation or approval from the Underwiters Lab of Canada.
- Fire extinguishers indicate the type of fire they are designed to extinguish with a letter (A, B, C, D, & K) and the size of fire they can extinguish with a number. The higher the number rating on the fire extinguisher, the more it puts out.
- It is important to make sure you can comfortably hold and operate the fire extinguisher you buy.
- If you have a rechargeable fire extinguisher have it serviced and inspected according to the manufacturer’s instructions and recharge it after use.
- Check your fire extinguisher monthly to ensure it has enough pressure and is in proper working order.
- Install your extinguisher near an escape route and away from potential fire hazards. Ensure that if you use the extinguisher, your exit route is not blocked by smoke or fire (make sure your fire extinguisher is always accessible and readily available).
Fire extinguisher safety tips
Use a portable fire extinguisher when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing; everyone has exited the building; the fire department has been called or is being called; and the room is not filled with smoke.
To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:
- Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
- Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
- Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
For the home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher (can be used on all types of home fires) that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle.
Choose a fire extinguisher that carries the label of an independent testing laboratory.
Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. Local fire departments or fire equipment distributors often offer hands-on fire extinguisher training.
Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately.
Know when to go. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape. Every household should have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms.
First-Aid Kits
Response times by emergency responders may take longer in a disaster. Learn basic first aid and CPR so you can help your family or friends in an emergency.
Prepare a stocked first aid kit to include:
- A first aid manual
- Adhesive tape, band-aids, gauze pads, and roller gauze
- Antiseptic ointment, cold pack
- Blanket
- Hand sanitizer (liquid or wipes), disposable gloves
- Plastic bags
- Scissors, tweezers
- Small flashlight and extra batteries
Know what to do while waiting for the ambulance:
- Stay on the line with 9-1-1 and follow their instructions. Do not hang up unless asked to do so.
- Know where you are; can you give the Emergency Communications Operator your exact address?
- Stay calm and try to keep the patient calm.
- Don't move the patient who was injured in a car accident or who has fallen.
- Have someone look out for the ambulance and escort them to the patient.
Emergency Kits (minimum 72 hours)
Are you and your family prepared to be self-sustaining for at least 72 hours? It is recommended that you have a 72-hour (emergency) kit prepared in advance. Basic emergency kit items include:
- Water (4 litres of water per person per day)
- Food that won't spoil such as canned food, energy bars, and dried food
- Manual can opener
- Flashlight and batteries; extra batteries
- Battery-powered or wind-up radio
- First aid kit
- Special needs items for your family such as:
- prescription medications
- infant formula
- equipment for people with disabilities
- Extra keys for your car and house
- Cash (include smaller bills such as $5 and $10s and change)
- Family emergency plan (ensure it contains in-town and out-of-town contact information)
- Important documents (such as passports, birth certificates, wills, insurance documents etc.)
For additional emergency supplies visit the Government of Alberta or the Government of Canada websites for more information.
Download the Alberta Emergency Alert App and sign up for the SCAR Notification System to stay up-to-date on situations that may impact you.
Download an Emergency Kit Checklist.
Have A Home Fire Escape Plan
Courtesy of NFPA’s website
This video is intended to convey safety messages in a light-hearted entertaining way. It is not intended for children. (Adults should play an important role in reinforcing safety messages for children.)
Develop and practice a home fire escape plan. In case a fire starts, everyone must know two ways out of every room, if possible.
- Install smoke detectors on every storey and outside sleeping areas.
- Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire family.
- Check that all exits are unobstructed and easy to use.
- Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults, or anyone else that may need assistance.
- Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree or a lamppost, where everyone can be accounted for.
- If caught in smoke, get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit.
- Call 9-1-1 from outside the home, from a cell phone, or the neighbour's home.
- Once out, stay out of the house. Never re-enter a burning building.
