Safety and Prevention

Plan your escape

If there is a fire in your home or workplace. Get out, stay out and dial 9-1-1 from a safe spot. Know where your meeting place is before the fire occurs. Make an escape plan and practice it today.

What to do: Fire in your home

If there is a fire in your home:

• Alert any other family members in the house;
• Leave the home by the nearest exit and close the door but do not lock it;
• Meet your family members in your pre-determined safe location;
• Dial 9-1-1 from a safe location;
• Do not re-enter the building;
• Stay a safe distance from the building.

What to do: Fire in your apartment

If there is a fire in your apartment:

• Alert others;
• Leave the apartment and close the door but do not lock it;
• Pull the fire alarm at the exit to the stairs or from the building;
• Dial 9-1-1 from a safe location;
• Do not use the elevator;
• Do not re-enter the building;
• Stay a safe distance from the building.

If you hear the fire alarm

If you hear the fire alarm, stop what you are doing and leave the building. If you encounter smoke in the stairs try the other stairwell. If there is smoke in both stairwells seek out a safe spot in apartment and close the door behind you. Seal the cracks around the door and dial 9-1-1 to let us know where you are.

If you are unable to use the stairs and the fire is not in your unit. Stay in your apartment. Leave your door and windows closed and dial 9-1-1 to let us know your location.

Inspections

The fire prevention division conducts hundreds of inspections each year, including: 

• Vulnerable occupancies (hospital, nursing homes, care facilities)
• Schools
• Industry
• Single family homes, apartment buildings, hotels/motels
• Stores
• Offices
• Churches
• Service stations

If you would like to have your home or workplace inspected, contact the Fire Inspection Division at 519-376-2512.

Ontario Fire Code and the Ontario Building Code

The Ontario Fire Code and Ontario Building Code are the minimum standards in Ontario for existing buildings or new construction

Public education

The fire prevention division conducts a number of educational sessions each year, including in:

• nursing homes
• schools
• apartment buildings, and
• TAPP-C sessions.

The division also conducts portable fire extinguisher training.

To arrange a visit to our station or to have one of our staff come to your home or workplace, contact the Fire Prevention Division.