Summer fire safety tips
Use common sense to prevent fires
To minimize the risk of fires and related deaths, injuries and property damage, we urge everyone to practice fire safety during the summer and all year long. You are encouraged to review this safety information that focuses on a range of topics from outdoor fire safety to basic home fire safety.
A fire hazard is an object or an activity that has the potential to cause a fire. Common fire hazards are outlined below. Use common sense to stop fire hazards from becoming fire incidents.
Fire safety in cottages, cabins and seasonal homes
- Keep areas around buildings clear of brush, wood, and other ‘fuel’ that could be ignited by blown embers.
- Ensure there are working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.
- Test smoke alarms monthly or each time you return to the cottage. Pack a new smoke alarm and extra smoke alarm batteries in case they need replacement.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms in your cottage if it has a fuel-burning appliance.
- Develop and practice a home fire escape plan so everyone knows what to do in case of a fire.
- Know the telephone number for the local fire department and your cottage's location details.
- Heating appliances should be checked by a qualified technician (for faulty wiring) and chimneys for animal nests before they are used.
- Clean barbecues before using them.
- Check heating appliances and chimneys before using them.
- Always keep a bucket of water, sand, or even a shovel close by and supervise the fire at all times.
- Never leave candles unattended.
- Burn candles in sturdy candleholders that will not tip and are covered with a glass shade.
Smoking
Smoking poses many fire hazards, but none more so than carelessly tossing a cigarette butt on the ground. Dry grass, dead leaves, and twigs on the ground can provide fuel for very fast-moving wildfires. Leaving cigarette lighters or matchers lying around is almost an invitation to a curious child to play with fire.
- If you must smoke, do so outside.
- Make sure to put cigarettes out completely.
- Avoid using flower pots as ashtrays. Peat moss can ignite and cause a fire.
- Use large and deep ashtrays, partially filled with water.
- Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.
- Removing debris and dry vegetation from your yard.
- Drink responsibly. Tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption are contributing factors in many fires and can lead to serious injuries.
Barbeques
Heat or flames from a barbeque can ignite nearby vegetation, wood, vinyl siding, paper towels and similar items.
- Barbeque with safety in mind.
- Keep barbeques a safe distance from anything combustible.
- Keep young children and pets away from barbeques.
Gasoline
Vapours from gasoline can catch fire from a small spark. If gasoline vapors ignite, one gallon can explode with the same force as 14 sticks of dynamite.
- Never use gasoline on a campfire or charcoal barbecue.
- Use approved storage containers.
- Avoid smoking around gasoline.
- When re-fuelling avoid spilling by using a funnel.
- Ensure adequate ventilation when dispensing gasoline.
Grass Fires and trash burning
Outdoor burning can be dangerous especially in the summer because vegetation is very dry and it burns easily.
- Ask the fire department for information about burning regulations and permits.
- Burn debris and other approved material in a burn barrel in accordance with your fire permit.
- Clear all flammable and combustible materials at least three metres around the fire. If you live on a farm, clear away all material for at least 30 metres.
- Keep a rake, shovel, water and extinguisher nearby.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Always keep a hose within reach of the fire.
- When you leave, make sure the fire is completely out.
- Make sure firepits and burn barrels are equipped with the proper-sized mesh screens. Call the fire department if a blaze is spotted.
Wildfires
In this area we all live near wildland, it is important to design and maintain your home and landscaping with wildfire safety in mind. You can follow simple steps to make your home fire safe. You will not only reduce the threat to your property, but you help protect your home and family too.
Campfires
When visiting BC's backcountry, be safe around campfires. Even a small campfire has the potential to become a wildfire.
- Obey all fire bans.
- Clear the area around your campfire of all debris for at least one metre.
- Never use gasoline to start a campfire.
- Use your campfire only for cooking or warmth.
- Keep fires small and manageable.
- Build your campfire downwind, away from your tent.
- Never leave your campfire unattended.
- Never leave children unattended near a campfire.
- Keep a ready supply of water nearby.
- Extinguish fire before leaving the site. Let the fire burn down and soak the fire with water. Stir the ashes and soak again until extinguished. Test the campfire for any heat before leaving the site.
Tents
Under Health Canada's Hazardous Products Act, standards for tents require a permanently affixed label indicating the tent is flame-resistant. Look for this label when buying a tent. Note that tents made of flame-resistant fabric are not fire-proof. The fabric will burn if left in continuous contact with any flame source.
- Set up tents at a safe distance and upwind from the campfire.
- Never use matches, candles or open flames in your tent.
- Use battery operated camping equipment, such as flashlights and lanterns inside the tent.
- Never refuel camping appliances in your tent.
- Never cook inside your tent.
- Do not smoke inside your tent.
- Never store flammable liquids in your tent.
Arson and Vandalism Fires
Most arson fires are started outdoors. Don't make it easy for an arsonist to start a fire or easy for an outdoor fire to spread to buildings. Most vandalism and arson attacks, occur at night and at times when buildings might be vacant. Many of the same precautions taken to discourage burglars may also discourage arsonists and vandals.
- Clear your premises of fuel sources such as landscape trimmings, newspapers, leftover paint, old rags and other trash.
- Keep doors and windows locked in garages, cars and unoccupied buildings.
- Board up abandoned buildings.
- Store all flammable liquids such as propane, paints, gasoline, solvents in an approved storage location such as locked metal cabinets, locked storage units and locked garages (preventing access to children).
- Report suspicious activity near houses or other buildings to the local police and support the Citizens on Patrol program.
Burn injuries
Burns can happen quickly when you contact with hot objects or flames. If you burn yourself, immediately run the affected area under cool water for at least five minutes. If your burn is serious (charring, blistering) seek medical attention right away.
