This year’s Fire prevention week is taking place from October 6 to October 12, 2024.
Every year in Quebec, fires cause on average:
- Damage to 13 homes each day
- Injury to 308 people
- Evacuation of 27,000 people
Nearly 48% of fires in homes are linked to a distraction or human error.
The inadequate use of electrical appliances and poor maintenance of your systems may cause a fire. Electrical equipment and electrical distribution equipment are the main source of heat in over 23% of damaged residential buildings.
Among victims of residential fires, 66% are over 60 years old. If you are a senior citizen or the loved one of a senior citizen, please be particularly vigilant.
Knowing about and adopting safe behaviors helps improve the safety of all residents.
Multi-socket connection
If you use a multi-socket connection, make sure that it is equipped with power surge protection, in order to avoid a power surge in the electrical supply system. The presence of a red cut-off button is a good indicator of a power surge protection. What’s more, in case of a power outage, this feature protects your electrical appliances. Only use low-energy consumption devices with such multi-socket connections.
Do NOT plug the following devices or appliances in a multi-socket connection:
- Large appliances: refrigerator, dryer, dishwasher, oven
- Small appliances: microwave, coffee machine, mixer, toaster, slow cooker
- Hair styling appliances: flat iron, curling iron, blow dryer
- Space heaters
- Other multi-socket connections, extension cords
Rechargeable devices
Several devices used daily are rechargeable:
- Cell phone
- Laptop computer or tablet
- Smartwatch
- Robot (for example: a robot vacuum cleaner)
- Electric bike or kick scooter
- Vaping device
- Wireless drill, etc.
To avoid a fire started by a rechargeable device:
- Comply with the manufacturer’s instructions carefully at all times.
- Recharge your device in a safe location, away from flammable materials.
- Observe the maximum charging time (for example, by setting a timer).
- Use the charger provided with your device, or an approved battery charger.
- Avoid exposing the charger to water, intense heat or intense cold.
- Do not modify or otherwise tamper with the charger.
- Check the charger regularly for damage.
- Dispose of batteries at a drop-off location or at the ecocentre. Never throw them in the trash or in the recycling bins, as they could start a fire when they are crushed during the collection.
Electric heating appliances
To use electric heating safely:
- Choose CSA/ULC certified appliances and comply with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Keep wall-mounted heaters at least 15 centimetres away from flammable materials.
- Make sure that space heaters have the automatic shut-off feature and that they are installed at least 1 metre away from any flammable materials.
- Never modify or tamper with electric devices.
10 fire prevention tips
Smoke alarms:
- Install one smoke alarm per floor, including in the basement.
- Opt for a photoelectric smoke alarm, in order to reduce the risk of false alarms.
- Replace it on or before the date indicated by the manufacturer.
Fire escape plan:
- Identify two possible exits.
- Identify a meeting point outdoors and let all occupants know where it is.
- Run through the entire fire escape plan with all occupants.
How to evacuate your residence:
- Shut all doors behind you in order to prevent smoke or flames from spreading to other rooms or dwellings.
- Dial 9-1-1 once you have made your way outside.
Smoker’s items:
- Do not dispose of cigarette butts in flowerpots or in mulch.
- Dispose of cigarette butts in metal containers.
Heat source:
- Keep curtains and furniture at least 10 cm away from radiators, baseboards or any other heat source.
Electricity:
- Have the electricity in your home installed by a certified electrician.
- Use electric appliances that are certified in Canada and that are marked with the CSA and ULC acronyms.
Carbon Monoxide:
- Install a carbon monoxide detector if you have a garage connected to your residence, or if you use fuel-burning heating or cooking appliances.
- Comply with the carbon monoxide detector manufacturer’s specifications.
Cooking fire prevention:
- Always keep an eye on food that is cooking and use a timer.
- Never heat oil in a pot for frying, regardless of the type of pot. Use only fryers that are equipped with a thermostat.
Chimney cleaning:
Have your chimney cleaned yearly by an expert, before you need to start heating your home. The same applies to the vent pipes connected to pellet stoves.
Hot ashes:
- Let all hot ashes cool outdoors, in a metal container covered with a metal lid.
- Wait at least seven days before disposing of the ashes in a garbage bin.