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Canada - ENFire Safety and Prevention Tips for Your Home
Did you know that three-quarters of all fire-related deaths occur in the home? Even more tragic is that the cause of most fires is mundane – with cooking equipment, smoking, and open flames accounting for over half of all house fires in Canada. While fire is inherently devastating, according to the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, over 90 per cent of home fires are preventable.
Protecting what matters most—your family and your home—starts with recognizing and mitigating fire risks. By taking a few proactive steps and knowing what to do in the event of a fire, you’ll be prepared to act quickly and protect your belongings.
Key takeaways
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Prevention is your best defense against a house fire
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Smoke alarms and CO detectors are your primary warning systems in the event of a fire
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Fire extinguishers can contain small fires until the emergency services arrives
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The kitchen is the most common place for fires to start in the home
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An evacuation plan ensures your family knows how to escape if a fire starts
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Home insurance can help protect your family from the financial damage after a house fire
Fire safety equipment for every home
The most common causes of house fires come from preventable hazards, such as:
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Small appliances with damaged wiring
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Overloaded power bars
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Inadequate or old house wiring
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Cooking fires caused by improper handling of oil or leaving a stove unattended
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Clogged or improperly maintained fireplaces
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Unattended candles or cigarettes
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Damage or improper charging of lithium-ion batteries
While identifying these risks is the first step, having the right equipment in place is your most powerful safeguard when prevention isn’t enough.
Smoke detectors
You’ve likely heard the phrase “smoke alarms save lives” but it’s more than just a catchy slogan. A working smoke alarm (or smoke detector) is a simple, but effective way to prevent or reduce the impact of fire. As many fatal fires tend to start at night, you need a working smoke alarm to wake you up. Here are some best practices:
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Install a working smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area. If you’re a tenant, landlords are legally required to install and maintain smoke alarms.
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Because smoke rises, install on the ceiling (near the centre of the room) or high up on a wall.
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Avoid installing a smoke alarm too close to a window, air ducts or ceiling fan that could blow smoke away from the detector.
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Avoid placing alarms too close to a stove, oven, bathroom or heat to prevent nuisance alarms caused by heat.
There are two types of smoke alarms, ionization and photoelectric. Here’s the difference:
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Ionization: More sensitive at detecting the small particles produced by fast, flaming fires (such as kitchen grease or burning paper) that consume materials and spread rapidly.
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Photoelectric: More sensitive at detecting the large particles produced by smouldering fires (such as a cigarette left on a couch) that may quietly burn for hours before bursting into flame.
Consider installing both types for maximum protection. Check for the CSA or ULC testing agency logo to ensure the alarms meet Canadian performance standards.
Smoke alarms are commonly hard-wired or battery operated. Ensure you:
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Test each alarm monthly and replace the batteries every six months (unless sealed)
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Replace batteries immediately if you hear low-battery “chirping” sounds
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Install battery backups in hardwired alarms in case of a power failure
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Replace the entire unit every 10 years
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Carbon monoxide detectors
Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas. It can be produced by any fuel-burning appliance, such as your oil or gas dryer, heater, stove or fireplace, but also fuel engines. Unlike a natural gas or propane leak that smells like rotten eggs (thanks to the addition of an odourant called mercaptan), CO is undetectable to the human nose. Continued exposure can cause unconsciousness, brain damage, even death.
Because CO can only be detected with a carbon monoxide alarm, follow these steps if you have any fuel-burning or combustion appliances in your home:
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Install a CO alarm on every level of your home and outside of sleeping areas, but at least 3 metres from any fuel-burning appliance
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Install a detector near an attached garage in case a car is left running
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Do not install in a humid area (like bathrooms), in direct sunlight or close to fans or vents
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Test each alarm monthly and replace the batteries every six months
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If you hear the low-battery beeping sounds, replace immediately
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Check your specific detector for its lifetime, typically five to seven years
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Familiarize yourself with your CO alarm’s beep patterns, i.e. four beeps and a pause means CO has been detected and you should seek fresh air immediately, while five beeps every minute means you need to replace your CO detector
Fire extinguisher
Essential for any household, a fire extinguisher can douse small flames or help manage a fire until help arrives–provided it’s safe to do so. Just as there are different kinds of fires, there are also different kinds of fire extinguishers. Here’s a primer of the most common models for home use:
Class of Fire |
Type of Fire |
Approved fire extinguisher |
Extinguisher colour code and type |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Class A: Ordinary combustibles |
Wood, paper, cloth |
Type A |
Red (Water) |
|
Class B: Flammable liquids |
Gasoline, paints, oil, solvents |
Type A |
Cream (Foam) |
|
Class C: Live electrical equipment |
Electrical wire, fuse box |
Type B-C |
Blue (Dry chemical/powder) |
Each extinguisher will list its class and uses. For example, a multiple purpose A-B-C dry chemical fire extinguisher can handle solid combustibles, flammable liquids and electrical, whereas a B-C extinguisher is better suited for kitchen grease fires.
You’ll also see a number beside the class, such as 4-A or a 60-B-C; generally, the larger the number, the more fire-extinguishing capacity the unit has.
It’s recommended to have at least one fire extinguisher on every level of your home, with special consideration for:
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Kitchen: The source of most home fires
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Garage/workshop: Especially if you have a lot of solvents or flammable items
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Laundry room: Lint fires are a common cause of house fires
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Near high-risk areas: Wood stoves, BBQ, electrical panel and furnace
While having a fire extinguisher is important, it’s essential to know how to use it effectively. Here’s an easy acronym to help you remember:
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P: Pull the pin
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A: Aim at the base of the fire
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S: Squeeze the trigger
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S: Sweep back and forth
Inspect once each year to ensure there is no damage, such as a cracked nozzle, missing pin or loose handle. Most disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years, while rechargeable extinguishers should be serviced every two to three years.
Kitchen fire safety tips
While the kitchen may be the heart of the home, it’s also the most common place for fires to start. The foremost kitchen fire safety tip is to never leave your cooking unattended; when grease splatters it can take only seconds for a fire to spark and spread.
Here are some additional steps you can take to mitigate the risks and to stop the spread of fire if one starts:
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Keeping flammable items, such as oven mitts, dish towels, utensils or paper towels, away from the stovetop or oven. Store cooking oils safely away.
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Turn off your stovetop if you need to step away and set a timer so you know when your food is done cooking.
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Wear short, tight-fitting or rolled-up sleeves when cooking to prevent clothing from catching fire, keep proper-fitting lids close by to smother any flames.
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To stop a grease fire, turn off the heat source, cover the flames with a metal lid and douse with baking soda. Never use water, and do not move the pan as that can splash more grease.
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A fire blanket or a properly classed fire extinguisher can also be used to fight grease fires.
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Clean your stovetop, oven, appliances and range hood frequently as grease buildup can be highly flammable.
Heating system and fireplace safety tips
Residential fire-related deaths are more common in winter, largely because of the increased use of heaters and wood-burning stoves. These tips will keep your home warm and safe.
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Check air filters regularly and replace when needed.
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Have your furnace and heating system inspected annually.
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Keep a one metre clearance zone around space heaters and open fires.
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Dirty chimneys cause fires, so ensure yours is inspected and cleaned annually.
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Only burn seasoned wood (green wood creates flammable creosote buildup), use a fireplace screen to catch sparks, and dispose of cooled ashes into a metal container.
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Avoid putting space heaters under desks or enclosed spaces and never plug into an extension cord.
Bedroom and living area fire safety tips
Adopting a few simple habits can significantly reduce fire risk in your primary living spaces:
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Candles create a beautiful ambiance, but their open flames pose a real fire risk. Never burn candles close to anything flammable, such as curtains, don’t leave candles unattended and keep wicks trimmed to ensure a more controlled flame.
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Smoking is a leading cause of house fire fatalities. If you smoke use large, deep ashtrays that cannot be knocked over, empty into a mental container and store outside. Never smoke in bed, when sleepy, or under the influence. Don’t butt cigarettes out in plant pots; peat moss can smoulder for hours and eventually ignite.
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While electric blankets now have built-in safety features, like automatic shutoffs, there are still ways to use one safely. Use one to warm up the bed but turn it off before you fall asleep, inspect the blanket for worn areas, frayed wiring or a damaged plug, and store by rolling, not folding the electric blanket. This will help protect internal wiring. Only use ULC-approved (or other testing agency) blankets.
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Keep space heaters away from bedding, clothing, curtains or any other combustible items.
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Sleeping with your door closed helps reduce exposure to carbon monoxide and other gases and can stop fire and smoke from moving quickly.
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Keep exit paths clear in case you need to evacuate quickly.
Electrical fire prevention tips
Faulty wiring is another leading cause of home fires and while it’s challenging to see what’s happening behind your walls, you can take these steps to reduce the risk:
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Don’t dismiss warning signs of electrical problems, such as flickering lights or warm outlets. Call a licensed electrician.
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Only use certified power bars and extension cords. Keep them away from heat and water sources, and don’t create long “daisy-chain” strands of cords or run under carpets.
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Avoid outlet overload. Don’t plug too many cords into a single socket.
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Regularly inspect electrical cords and plugs for fraying or damage and replace immediately.
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Match the correct plug to the outlet and never force a three-prong cord into a two-prong outlet.
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Ensure your dryer is properly vented to the outdoors and empty the lint filter before each use.
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If you have a device with a lithium-ion battery, like a phone or laptop, only use the manufacturer-approved charger. Don’t leave these chargers on soft items, like a pillow. Discontinue use immediately if the battery becomes excessively hot, swells, or emits an odour.
What to do in the event of a fire
Fire spreads rapidly, often leaving you only minutes to escape once a smoke alarm sounds. Create a fire safety plan with an evacuation strategy so everyone in your household knows what to do in case of fire:
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Identify multiple exits from every room, such as a window in case the door is blocked.
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Establish a meeting place outside at a safe distance, like a neighbour’s house or a specific tree.
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Designate assistance for those who may need help, such as young children or older adults with mobility challenges.
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Practice your escape plan with all household members at least once a year.
It’s also vital to have digital copies of all valuable documents, such as birth or marriage certificates, stored on the cloud or at an off-site location. For extra protection, keep important documents in a fire-resistant storage box. Maintain an inventory of your belongings and review it annually so you have a complete list of losses should you need to make a claim.
Learn more: What Personal Property Is Covered in My Home Insurance, and What Is Not?
While the best fire safety is prevention, if a fire does break out in your home it’s critical to know what to do.
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Stay calm, knowing you have an emergency plan in place.
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Test each door and door handle before opening. If it’s warm, use an alternate exit.
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If smoke, heat or flames block your exit, stay in the room with the door closed. If possible, wedge a wet towel against the door.
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Smoke can be as dangerous as fire and most fire deaths are due to smoke inhalation, not burns. If you must escape through smoke, crawl as low as possible.
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If your clothing catches fire, remember to stop, drop and roll.
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Once you’re out, stay out. Call 9-1-1 from outside your property.
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Never go back inside for belongings. Only re-enter your home once the fire officials tell you it’s safe to do so.
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Report the fire to your home insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process.
Protect your home from fire hazard
Prevention is always the best strategy for protecting your home and family from fire. It’s equally important to understand how your home insurance policy covers fire damage. By pairing a proactive safety plan with the right insurance coverage, you can ensure your home and loved ones remain fully protected, should the unthinkable happen. If you have any questions about how your home insurance policy covers you in the event of a fire, contact a licensed insurance advisor today.
*Home and auto insurance products are distributed by RBC Insurance Agency Ltd. and underwritten by Aviva General Insurance Company. In Quebec, RBC Insurance Agency Ltd. Is registered as a damage insurance agency. As a result of government-run auto insurance plans, auto insurance is not available through RBC Insurance in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.
