Fire Safety and Education

Every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.

Homeowners: It is the responsibility of homeowners to install and maintain smoke alarms on every storey of their home and outside sleeping areas.

Landlords: It is the responsibility of landlords to ensure their rental properties comply with the law.

Tenants: If you are a tenant of a rental property and do not have the required number of smoke alarms, contact your landlord immediately. It is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm in any way.

Carbon Monoxide alarms are required in all homes with fuel burning appliances and/or have an attached garage. As of January 1, 2026, alarms are required to be placed adjacent to each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including storeys that do not have sleeping areas. For more information, visit the Provincial carbon monoxide safety webpage. 

Homeowners and landlords are responsible for ensuring their properties have working carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. This includes:

Testing:

• It is recommended that carbon monoxide alarms be tested monthly or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Batteries:

• Replace batteries in carbon monoxide alarms once a year or whenever the low-battery warning sounds.
• Know the difference between a low-battery warning and an emergency alarm – consult the CO alarm manufacturer’s instructions. 

Replace CO alarms:

• In accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Know what the “end-of-life” warning sounds like – consult the CO alarm manufacturer’s instructions. 

Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms. 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 or your local emergency services number from outside the building.

If a fire occurred in your home tonight would your family get out safely?

1. Sit down with everyone in your home and discuss how each person will get out in a fire. Practice your escape plan with everyone in the home
2. Know two ways out of each room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.
3. Help those who need it! Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults, people with disabilities or anyone else who may need assistance.
4. Have a meeting place outside, a safe distance from your home. In case of fire, everyone should go directly to this meeting place to be accounted for.
5. Close doors behind you as you leave.
6. Get out, Stay out. When the smoke alarms sound, get out immediately and call 9-1-1 from outside using a cell phone or from a neighbour’s home. Never re-enter a burning building.

People, animals, and property are in danger when fire breaks out on the farm. Inspect your barn and outbuildings for fire hazards to reduce the risk of tragic loss. Download the Barn Fire Safety Checklist.

• Heat lamps and space heaters are kept a safe distance from anything that can burn.
• Heaters are on a sturdy surface and cannot fall over.
• Electrical equipment is labeled for agricultural or commercial use.
• All wiring is free from damage.
• Extension cords are not used in the barn.
• Lightbulbs have covers to protect them from dust, moisture, and breakage.
• Damage is identified quickly and repairs are completed with safety in mind.
• Dust and cobwebs around electrical outlets and lights are removed.
• Oily rags are stored in a closed, metal container away from heat.
• Feed, hay, straw, and flammable liquids are stored away from the main barn.
• The barn is a smoke-free zone.
• Exits are clearly marked and pathways are clear.
• Fire drills are held frequently with everyone who uses the barn.
• Workers are trained to use fire extinguishers.
• Everyone in the barn knows personal safety is the first priority if a fire breaks out.
• Hazard checks take place on a set schedule.