Home Fire Safety Checklist

Things to Do and Check in your Home to Prevent Fires and Keep your Family Safe

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

  • Install working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. Install carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas. It's the law.
  • For extra protection, install a smoke alarm in every bedroom and a carbon monoxide alarm on every storey.
  • Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms once a month.
  • Change alarm batteries annually or whenever the low-battery warning sounds.
  • Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing, testing, maintaining and replacing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Home Fire Escape Planning

  • Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire family.
  • Make sure everyone knows two ways out of each room, if possible.
  • Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone else that may need assistance when escaping.
  • Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree or lamp post, where everyone can be accounted for.
  • Call the fire department from outside the home, from a cell phone or neighbour's home.
  • Once out, stay out. Never re-enter a burning building.
  • Keep all exits in the home clear and easy to use.

Cooking Fire Safety

  • Always stay   in the kitchen when you are cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire -- oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains -- away from your   stovetop.
  • Keep a proper fitting pot lid near the stove when   cooking.  If a pot catches fire slide the lid over the pot and turn off the stove. Do not move the pot.
  • Wear tight-fitting or   rolled up sleeves when using the stove.    Loose dangling clothing can easily catch fire.  If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop   to the ground and roll over and over to put out the fire.

Other Things to Consider to Prevent Fire in Your Home

  • Keep matches and lighters   out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Always blow out candles before leaving the room.If anyone in the home smokes, smoke outside.
  • Ensure items that can burn are one metre away from space heaters.
  • Avoid overloading the   electrical outlets. Extension cords should be used only as a temporary   connection.