Close Alert Banner
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Skip to Content

Woolwich Township Logo

Contact Us Main menu icon
I'd Like To...
  • Find out about
    • Mayor and Council
    • News
    • Starting a Business
    • Water and Sewer
    • Zoning
  • Register
    • Animal Services
    • eNewsletter
    • Marriage Licence
    • Pre-authorized Tax Payments
    • Recreation and Programs
  • Report
    • Dead Animal
    • Pothole
    • Request for Service
    • Street Light
    • Winter Maintenance
  • Pay
    • Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits
    • Taxes
    • Water and Sewer
    • Paperless Billing ( eBilling )
Contact Us
View our Facebook page YouTube Instagram
  • Discover Us
    • Arts and Culture
    • Community Events Calendar
    • Discover
    • Eat
    • Economic Development and Tourism
    • Facilities
    • Heritage
    • Libraries
    • Parks and Trails
    • Plan
    • Recreation and Facilities
    • Shop
    • Stay
    • The Mennonite Story
    • Tours and Self-Guided Tours
    • Visitor Information Centres
    View our Parks and Trails page
    Parks and Trails
  • Living Here
    • About Woolwich
    • A-Z Services
    • Backflow Prevention Program
    • Cemeteries
    • Climate Action
    • Community and Social Services
    • Emergency Services
    • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
    • Events Calendar
    • Garbage, Recycling and Waste
    • Home Renovation or Construction
    • Locates
    • New to Woolwich
    • Paperless Billing ( eBilling )
    • Parking
    • Recreation and Facilities
    • Roads and Sidewalks
    • Schools and Education
    • Snow and Significant Weather Events
    • Taxes
    • Trees and Yards
    • Water and Sewer
    • Township Community Events
    View our Township Community Events page
    Township Community Events
  • Doing Business
    • Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits
    • Available Lands
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Business Directory
    • Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)
    • Clean Tech Tour and Directory
    • Community Profile
    • Economic Development in Woolwich
    • Home Renovation or Construction
    • Locates
    • Official Plan
    • Paperless Billing ( eBilling )
    • Reports, Studies and Plans
    • Starting a Business
    • Taxes
    • Zoning
    View our Community Profile page
    Community Profile
  • Township Services
    • Accessibility
    • Animal Services
    • Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits
    • Budget and Finance
    • By-laws
    • By-Law Enforcement
    • Careers and Volunteering
    • Contact Us
    • Departments
    • Elections
    • Emergency Planning and Preparedness
    • Engineering Public Notices
    • Fire Services
    • Freedom of Information
    • Grants and Special Assistance
    • Insurance Claims
    • Maps
    • Marriages
    • Mayor and Council
    • Municipal Drains
    • News Room
    • Parking
    • Report It
    • Reports, Studies and Plans
    • Taxes
    View our Mayor and Council page
    Mayor and Council
Report It Feedback
 

Fire Safety Tips

More
Decrease text size Default text size Increase text size
Print this page
Share this page
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email This page Email
Home/.../Emergency Services/Fire/Fire Safety Tips
  • Emergency Services
    • Fire
      • Burn Permits and Burning
      • Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms
      • Fire Education and Prevention
      • Fire Safety Tips
      • Fire Stations
      • Inspections and Reporting
      • Recruitment
  • About Woolwich
  • A-Z Services
  • Backflow Prevention Program
  • Cemeteries
  • Climate Action
  • Community and Social Services
  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
  • Events Calendar
  • Garbage, Recycling and Waste
  • Home Renovation or Construction
  • Locates
  • New to Woolwich
  • Paperless Billing ( eBilling )
  • Parking
  • Recreation and Facilities
  • Roads and Sidewalks
  • Schools and Education
  • Snow and Significant Weather Events
  • Taxes
  • Trees and Yards
  • Water and Sewer
  • Township Community Events

More in this Section...

Quick Links

  • Emergency Services
  • Garbage, Recycling and Waste
  • Paperless Billing ( eBilling )
  • Taxes
  • Water and Sewer
  • Roads and Sidewalks

child with firetruck

In 2007 there were approximately 6,046 preventable home fires annually in Ontario. During this period, cooking equipment was identified as the leading ignition source attributed to home fires, but there are many other residential fire safety concerns including; candles, electrical shortages, heating shortages, and fireplaces both indoor and outdoor.

The Township performs home Fire Safety Inspections where they check the following list of criteria:

  • Working smoke alarms installed on each floor of the property.
  • Fire extinguishers are present (5 lb. A.B.C. - U.L.C approved).
  • Propane barbecues are stored in the proper manner.
  • Any flammable and hazardous liquids or materials are stored properly.
  • Fireplaces and chimney flues are checked regularly.

To ensure your home is safe, please see the tips below.

BBQ Safety

If you misuse your barbecue, you're literally playing with fire.

First off, take a look at the location of your grill -- ideally; it should be on the patio without anything immediately around it. Don't put your BBQ up on the porch against a wooden railing, as it could catch fire or prevent proper ventilation.

When you've got the unit in a safe position and are ready to heat things up, always remember to open the lid of your gas barbecue before turning on the valve or attempting to light it. Letting gas build up inside the unit and then lighting it could cause burns.  

If your barbecue has an automatic igniter button, use it! However, if for some reason the button isn't working (be sure to check the battery), follow the lighting instructions for your particular model. Usually, the rule of thumb is to light the grill from the side (were you wondering what those little holes in the frame were for?) and not from the top, where your face is exposed.

Another thing to keep in mind is that a cleaner grill is a safer grill. Built-up grease on the cooking area and the pan underneath can catch fire while cooking at higher temperatures (if this happens, baking soda is an effective fire extinguisher). Clean the grilling surface with a good barbecue brush when it's still hot -- before and after preparing the meal. It's advisable to remove the grease pan for cleaning when it's cool so that you don't accidentally scald yourself.

After you've got that steak to a perfect medium rare, make sure you shut off the gas valve at the tank before switching off the console. Don't close the lid until both the tank and the console have been switched off to prevent trapping any residual gas.

Always have a fire extinguisher on hand.

Candle Safety

  • Lit candles should not be left unattended. They should be extinguished before you leave a room, your home, take a nap or retire for the evening.
  • Most candle fire incidents result from inattention or misuse. Keep away from books, paper, furniture, bedding, carpets, drapes, plastic or anything flammable. Also, keep away from drafts.
  • Use candle holders that securely grip the candle so that it won't tip over or drip wax onto unprotected surfaces.
  • Candles should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
  • Ensure the candle is sitting on non-flammable surface to collect any wax drippings.
  • Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative material.
  • Votives and containers should be extinguished before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.
  • The safest ways to put out a candle is by using a candle snuffer. It prevents hot wax from splattering.
  • During a power outage try to avoid carrying a lit candle. Don't use a lit candle when searching for items in a confined space
  • Never use a candle for a light when checking pilot lights or fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern. The flame may ignite the fumes.

Cooking Safety

  • Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol do not use the stove or stovetop.
  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
  • If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire, oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains away from your stovetop.

What to do if you have a kitchen fire:

  • Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
  • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
  • If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
  • Keep a lid nearby when you are cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

For more information, view the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs Cooking Safety video.

Holiday Safety

The following tips are offered by the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario. Follow these suggestions to keep your tree fresh and safe:

  • If you buy a tree several days before you plan to set it up, store the tree outdoors or on a cool porch or patio until you are ready to decorate it. An area that provides protection from the wind and sun will help the tree retain its moisture.
  • If you plan to store the tree for several days, make a straight cut across the butt end of the tree about one inch from the end. This opens the tree stem so it can take up water. Store the tree upright and place the butt end in a container of water.
  • Trees are thirsty. They may drink up to four litres of water per day, so be sure to check daily and supply fresh water as needed. A stand, which holds at least four litres of water, is recommended. If you allow the water level to drop below the bottom of the tree, a seal will form just as it does on a cut flower and a new cut will be necessary.
  • Keep your tree away from all heat sources and make sure it does not block a doorway.
  • Check all decorative lights before placing them on the tree and discard any frayed or damaged lights and cords.
  • Never place lighted candles on or near the Christmas tree.
  • When large amounts of needles begin to fall off, it is time to get rid of the tree

House Numbers

Numbers must be clearly visible from the street and a minimum of 3.5 inches high.

Programs

The Region of Waterloo runs several safety programs to promote fire safety in Waterloo Region. Programs include, the Waterloo Region Safety Village and the Waterloo Region Arson Prevention Program for Children (WRAPP-C).
Subscribe to this Page
A-Z Listing:
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Woolwich Township

© 2016 Woolwich Township, 24 Church Street West, P.O. Box 158 , Elmira, ON, N3B 2Z6

By GHD Digital
Phone: 519-669-1647, Toll Free: 1-877-969-0094
Email Us Privacy Policy Staff Login Paperless Billing ( eBilling ) Site Map