Home fire safety is a key concern for all homeowners, especially with the rising incidents of wildfires and residential fires across Canada. According to StatsCan, in 2021, there were 10,819 residential fires in Canada (fires starting within the structure of a home) and 17,084 outdoor fires, which may also have impacted residences.
When a fire starts, it can spread quickly and unpredictably. Taking steps to protect your home from residential fires can help safeguard your property and ensure the safety of your loved ones. While larger fires that start outside the home (like wildfires) may leave you with no other option than evacuation, spending time on emergency preparedness can help you should such a scenario arise.
Key takeaways
- Cooking accidents, heating equipment, electrical faults, smoking, candles, dryer lint buildup and holiday decorations are common causes of residential fires. Addressing these risks can significantly enhance home safety.
- Installing smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, practicing electrical and kitchen safety, maintaining heating equipment and upgrading to LED lights can help prevent fires.
- Having an emergency plan, preparing an emergency kit, keeping a home inventory and ensuring adequate home insurance coverage are essential for fire preparedness. Staying informed about local fire conditions and evacuation orders is also important.
Understanding residential fire risks
In order to prevent and protect yourself and your loved ones from a house fire, it’s worth taking some time to understand the common causes. Fires can start in a variety of ways, often from common household activities:
- Cooking accidents: These are often caused by unattended cooking or grease fires. It’s important to stay in the kitchen while cooking and keep flammable items away from heat sources.
- Heating equipment: Space heaters, fireplaces and central heating systems can ignite fires if not properly maintained. Regular inspections and keeping flammable objects at a safe distance are essential.
- Electrical faults: Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits and malfunctioning appliances can spark fires. Ensure all electrical work is done by professionals and regularly check for signs of electrical issues.
- Smoking: Careless disposal of cigarette butts and smoking in bed are significant fire hazards. Always extinguish smoking materials completely and avoid smoking in risky areas like in bed, or outdoors around dried leaves.
- Candles: Candles left unattended or placed too close to flammable items can easily start a fire. Consider using flameless candles and always keep burning candles within sight.
- Dryer fires: Lint buildup in dryers is a fire risk. To prevent lint accumulation, clean the lint filter after each use and regularly inspect and clean the dryer vent.
- Barbecues and outdoor cooking: Improper use of barbecues and other outdoor cooking equipment can lead to fires. Grills should be kept away from structures, never left unattended and properly extinguished after use.
- Holiday decorations: Faulty Christmas lights, overloaded electrical outlets and flammable decorations can cause fires during the holiday season. Use lights with safety certifications and avoid overloading electrical outlets. While the safety of these decorations has greatly improved with the advent of LED lighting, many homeowners still use older decorations.
Non-residential fires that can threaten residences
While fires can start within the home, there’s also a risk of fires that start outside the home causing damage to property. Non-residential fires, such as those occurring in commercial buildings, industrial facilities or wildland areas, can pose significant threats to nearby residences.
Wildfires, in particular, can rapidly spread to residential areas, especially during dry, windy conditions, endangering homes and lives. In 2023, almost three million hectares of Canadian forest were destroyed by wildfires (CBC).
It's essential to recognize that fire risks can vary with the seasons. For instance, wildfires are more prevalent in the summer, while heating-related fires are more common in winter. Additionally, the impact of climate change has increased the frequency and severity of fire risks in many parts of Canada.
While wildfires dominate the news, they are not the only non-residential fires that can threaten your home. Fires in nearby commercial or industrial buildings can also escalate and affect neighbouring homes through the spread of flames, smoke and toxic fumes. The proximity of non-residential fire risks underscores the importance of comprehensive fire preparedness and community-wide fire prevention efforts to protect all types of properties.
Seven steps to protect your home from residential fires
The good news is there are easy and accessible fire safety tips you can follow to protect your home, you and your loved ones from house fires. As we saw, many of the causes of residential fires can be prevented with good home maintenance, attentiveness and upgrading older appliances and electrics to safer options. Let’s look at some easy steps you can start to take today:
1. Install smoke alarms and fire extinguishers
The first line of defense against home fires is the installation of smoke alarms. These devices should be placed on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Regular testing and maintenance ensure they are in working order. This includes replacing batteries in all smoke detectors annually.
Additionally, fire extinguishers should be strategically placed in high-risk areas such as the kitchen, garage and near fireplaces. It's important to familiarize yourself with the different types of fire extinguishers and their proper use and to keep an eye on expiration dates.
2. Electrical safety
Electrical safety is paramount in preventing fires. Avoid overloading circuits and using extension cords as a permanent solution. A qualified electrician can help identify potential hazards by regularly inspecting electrical appliances and wiring.
It's also important to ensure that any electrical work in your home is performed by a licensed professional to prevent faults that could lead to fires. This includes small jobs, like replacing a light fixture as well as bigger renovations and electrical upgrades.
3. Kitchen safety
The kitchen is a hotspot for potential fire hazards. Never leave cooking unattended, especially when frying, grilling or broiling. Keep flammable items, such as towels and wooden utensils, away from the stove. This applies to outdoor kitchens or BBQ areas too.
In case of a grease fire, never use water to extinguish it; instead, cover it with a lid, if it is safe to do so, use a fire blanket or a fire extinguisher and, of course, call 911.
4. Heating equipment
Proper use and maintenance of heating equipment are key to fire safety. Space heaters and baseboard heaters should be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including upholstery and drapery. In outdoor entertainment areas, the same precautions apply to fire pits.
A professional should inspect your central heating systems annually. For those with fireplaces (gas, electric or wood-burning stoves), regular cleaning is necessary to prevent buildup and ensure parts are in good working order. Always place heaters on stable, non-flammable surfaces.
5. Candle and smoking precautions
Candles and smoking materials are potential fire starters. Consider using flameless candles, which provide the ambiance of real candles without the fire risk. If you do use candles, keep them at least a foot away from anything that can burn and never leave them unattended.
When it comes to smoking, ensure cigarettes and other smoking apparatuses are fully extinguished before disposing of them. Always avoid smoking in bed or when drowsy.
6. Clean dryer lint traps and ducts
To keep your dryer safe and efficient, clean the lint trap after every load of laundry. Simply remove the lint screen, discard the collected lint and wash the screen periodically to remove any residue.
In addition to regular lint trap cleaning, it's important to address the dryer duct system. Use a vacuum or a specialized dryer vent brush to thoroughly clean the ductwork or hire a professional duct cleaning service. Ensuring that your dryer vent is clear not only reduces fire risk but also improves dryer performance, saving energy and extending the life of your appliance.
7. Upgrade to LED lights
Upgrading your home’s lighting (including holiday lighting) to LED options can significantly enhance fire safety while also improving energy efficiency. Traditional incandescent bulbs generate a lot of heat, which can increase the risk of fire, especially when used in enclosed fixtures or near flammable materials. In contrast, LED lights produce much less heat, making them a safer choice for everyday use and festive decorations. Additionally, LED lights are less prone to breakage and overheating, further decreasing fire risks.
Beyond safety, LEDs are highly energy-efficient, consuming less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. This efficiency not only reduces your energy bills but also lessens the strain on electrical systems, minimizing the risk of overloading circuits. The long lifespan of LED bulbs means fewer replacements and less waste, making them an environmentally friendly option.
Fire precautions to take outside your home
While kitchen fires are common, fire can threaten your home from the outside too. This can include fires that start in other areas of your property, including outbuildings and chimneys. Embers from fireworks can also ignite fires on your property. While wildfires are a formidable adversary, some of the following steps may also help protect your property.
Create a defensible space
Creating a defensible space around your home helps protect against fires that come from outside. This involves landscaping and maintaining your garden to create firebreaks. Remove dead vegetation, leaves and other flammable materials regularly. Choose fire-resistant plants and use non-combustible materials for landscaping near your home.
Home construction and home exterior maintenance
Regular maintenance of your home’s exterior can prevent fires from starting or spreading. Clean your gutters and roofs of leaves and debris that can catch fire. When building or renovating, consider using fire-resistant construction materials for your roof and siding. Installing spark arresters on chimneys can prevent embers from escaping and igniting nearby combustibles.
Safe storage of flammable materials
Proper storage of flammable materials is essential. Propane, gasoline and other flammable substances should be stored in approved containers and kept in well-ventilated areas away from the house. Woodpiles and other combustible materials should be stored at a safe distance from the home to prevent them from catching fire and spreading to the house.
Emergency preparedness and insurance considerations
While the ideal situation is that a fire never happens, it’s a smart precaution to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Being prepared will set your mind at ease that you and your loved ones will know what to do should an emergency of any kind occur (not just a fire):
- Emergency plan: Having an emergency plan can save lives in the event of a fire. Develop and practice a fire safety plan with all family members. Ensure everyone knows multiple escape routes from each room and establish a designated meeting place outside the home. Regularly review and practice the plan to ensure everyone is prepared.
- Prepare an emergency kit: An emergency kit (or grab-and-go bag) is a vital component of fire preparedness. Keep the kit in an easily accessible location and make sure all family members know where it is stored.
- Keep a home inventory: Documenting your personal belongings in a home inventory will help you ensure you have adequate coverage and the documentation you may need to make a claim.
- Stay informed: Stay informed about local fire conditions, especially during the high-risk fire season. If your local government or fire department orders an evacuation, don’t hesitate to do so.
Last but not least: Having adequate tenant condo, or home insurance coverage is an essential part of fire protection. Ensure your home insurance policy covers fire damage, including both the structure and contents of your home. Familiarize yourself with the steps to take after a fire, such as documenting damage and filing an insurance claim promptly. Keeping a home inventory with photos and receipts of your possessions can assist the claims process and ensure you are adequately compensated for your losses.
