Fire

• Smoke alarms save lives. Ensure you have working smoke alarms installed in your home.
  • Smoke alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
  • Ensure everyone sleeping in your home can hear your smoke alarm even with bedroom doors closed. If not, or if any residents are hearing-impaired, install additional detectors inside bedrooms.
• Test your smoke alarms twice per year. Daylight savings is a great reminder to check your smoke alarms!
• Ensure your entire household can recognize the sound of the smoke alarm.

We are working to improve home safety by providing free smoke alarms to the most vulnerable in the community. Residents can arrange for a free smoke alarm home visit by a Fire Prevention Officer, who will determine the best locations for a smoke alarm or test existing ones. If a resident requires a new smoke alarm, Fire staff will install and complete a home safety inspection as well.

Request a Home Visit

Practicing your escape plan is important because fire can spread rapidly, leaving occupants with little time to escape once an alarm sounds. Fire can spread rapidly through your home leaving  as little as two minutes to escape safely once the alarm sounds. Your ability to get out depends on advance warning from smoke alarms, and advance planning — a home fire escape plan is one that everyone in your family is familiar with and has practiced.

• Sit down with your entire household today and make a step-by-step plan for escaping from a fire.
• Draw a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of every room, especially sleeping areas.
• Agree on a meeting place outside your home where every member of the household will gather after escaping a fire to wait for the Fire Department. This allows you to count heads and inform the fire department if anyone is trapped inside the burning building.
• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Keep things that can catch fire, such as towels, packaging, oven mitts and wooden utensils, away from the cooking area.
• Never put water on a grease or oil fire. Cover the pot or pan with a lid or baking sheet and turn off the heat.

• Purchase a heater that has a CSA or ULC approved seal.
• Keep the heater at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from anything that could catch fire or burn.
• Always turn off and unplug the space heater when you leave the room or go to bed.
• Clean lint filters in your dryer (or other appliances).

• Never overload outlets.
• Ensure cords are in good condition.

• Make sure the tree is at least one metre away from any heat sources.
• If using a real tree, purchase one with green needles that are hard to pull from branches, and keep it watered.
• Choose flame-resistant or flame-retardant decorations.
• Blow out lit candles before leaving a room or going to bed.
• Only use lights outside that are designed and CSA-approved for outdoor use.
• Use clips to hang holiday lights, as staples may damage electrical cords.
• Unplug lights when not in use or overnight to decrease the risk of electrical fires.

• Wear flame-resistant costumes and avoid costumes with long trailing pieces that may ignite easily if near a candle.
• Educate children to stay clear of open flames and other heat sources.
• Purchase and install working smoke alarms, and practice home escape plans.
• Provide a flashlight to children as a light source or as part of a costume.
• Avoid decorating with candles. Consider flameless LED tealights instead for a similar flickering effect.
• Ensure all children in your home know the location of the exits in case of emergency.

If you spot a fire, smell or see smoke, immediately call 9-1-1 and report your location.

In outdoor spaces:

• No open air burning in parks, natural areas, and backyards.
• No smoking or vaping in parks, trails, streets, and public outdoor spaces.

Outside the home:

• Prune shrubs and trees and mow the grass.
• Clear your roof and gutters of debris.
• Contact BC Hydro if vegetation is near or touching powerlines.

• Always set up barbecues in an open area at least 3 metres (10 feet) from any house, shed, fence, tree or any other combustible material such as leaves or brush.
• Never store combustible materials next to the barbecue.
• Never leave your barbeque unattended.

A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and reduce property damage by putting out a small, contained fire or holding it in check until firefighters arrive. Home extinguishers are not designed for large or fast‑spreading fires. If there is any doubt about safety, leave immediately and call 9‑1‑1.

When Is It Safe to Use a Fire Extinguisher?

Use a fire extinguisher only if ALL of the following are true:

• You already know how to use it (there is no time to read instructions during an emergency).
• The extinguisher is fully charged, in working order, and within easy reach.
• You have a clear, safe escape route that will not be cut off by fire, smoke, or heat.
• The extinguisher is the correct type for the fire.
• The extinguisher is large enough to control the fire (many small household units discharge in about 8–10 seconds).

If any condition is not met: evacuate, close doors behind you if you can, and call 9‑1‑1.

Classes of Fires (Know What Your Extinguisher Can Handle)

Fire extinguishers are tested and labelled for the types of fires they can extinguish. Always check the label before buying or using an extinguisher.

Common household fire classes:

• Class A: Ordinary combustibles (wood, cloth, paper, some plastics)
• Class B: Flammable liquids (gasoline, oil, solvents, oil‑based paints)
• Class C: Energized electrical equipment (wiring, breaker panels, appliances)

A red slash through a symbol means the extinguisher is not approved for that type of fire.

Multipurpose ABC extinguishers can be used on Class A, B, and C fires and are the most common choice for homes.

Important safety note: Using the wrong extinguisher can make the fire worse. For example, some extinguishing agents may spread burning grease or liquids instead of suppressing them.

Choosing the Right Extinguisher Size (And Rating)

Extinguishers are rated for the size of fire they can handle. Ratings appear on the label (for example, 2A:10B:C). In general:

• Higher numbers = greater firefighting capacity
• Higher capacity usually means a heavier extinguisher

Choose a unit you can comfortably lift, carry, and operate with one hand while staying oriented to an exit.

Installation and Maintenance

Proper placement and upkeep are essential:

• Mount or place extinguishers in plain view, near an exit, and away from children
• Keep extinguishers away from cooking appliances and heat sources (so you can reach them without moving toward a fire)
• Inspect regularly per the manufacturer’s instructions (including pressure gauge/indicator and physical condition)
• Rechargeable extinguishers must be serviced after every use
• Disposable extinguishers must be replaced after use
• Replace or service any extinguisher that is damaged, corroded, missing a pin/tamper seal, or showing low pressure (as applicable)

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: PASS

Stand about 6–8 feet (2–2.5 m) away, keep your back to a clear exit, and use PASS:

• P – Pull the pin (break the tamper seal)
• A – Aim low at the base of the fire
• S – Squeeze the lever to discharge
• S – Sweep side to side at the base of the fire

Move forward carefully as the fire diminishes. If the fire goes out and then reignites, repeat. If it doesn’t go out quickly, stop, leave, and close the door behind you.

Even if the fire appears out, have the area checked by firefighters—hidden fire spread and re‑ignition are common.

Should You Fight the Fire? (Final Safety Check)

Only attempt to extinguish a fire if:

• Everyone is leaving or has left the home
• 9‑1‑1 has been called (or someone is calling)
• The fire is small and contained (not spreading beyond its starting area)
• You have a clear escape route
• You know how to use the extinguisher and it’s the correct type

If any of these are not true: Do not fight the fire. Evacuate immediately.