Be prepared, be FireSmart

One of the most important steps you can take to protect your family from fire is to create a home fire escape plan and practice it regularly. In an emergency, knowing exactly what to do can make the difference between life and death.

Use the steps below to build your plan—and practice home fire drills often so everyone is prepared.

1. Draw a floor plan of your home. Sketch your home and mark two ways out of every room, especially sleeping areas. Make sure windows and doors can be opened easily. Review the escape routes with everyone in your household.
    
2. Agree on a meeting place. Pick a clearly visible spot outside—such as a favourite tree, mailbox, or streetlight—where everyone will meet after escaping. This helps you quickly account for everyone and lets firefighters know if someone is still inside.
    
3. Practice your plan. Hold a home fire drill at least twice a year. Assign one person as a monitor and make sure everyone participates. Remember: a fire drill is not a race. Leave quickly, but safely.
    
4. Make drills realistic. Practice what to do if certain exits are blocked by fire. Try drills with the lights off or by pretending hallways are filled with smoke so everyone learns alternate escape routes.
    
5. Check locks and exits. Make sure everyone can quickly unlock doors and windows—even in the dark. Doors or windows with security bars should have quick‑release devices, and everyone should know how to use them. If your home has more than one storey, make sure upper‑level rooms have a safe way to reach the ground, such as a fire‑resistant escape ladder.
    
6. Plan for stairs. Make extra arrangements for children, older adults, and people with diverse abilities. Anyone who has difficulty moving should have a phone in their sleeping area and, if possible, sleep on the ground floor. In apartment buildings, use stairs only—never elevators. Elevators may stop working or open onto a fire‑affected floor.
    
7. Test doors before opening. Before opening a door, kneel or crouch and use the back of your hand to check the door, the handle, and the space around the frame. If it feels warm, do not open it—use another escape route. If it feels cool, open the door slowly while bracing it with your shoulder. Be ready to close it quickly if smoke or flames appear.
    
8. Crawl low under smoke. Smoke and heat rise, leaving cleaner air closer to the floor. If you encounter smoke, crawl on your hands and knees, keeping your head 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) above the floor. If your main exit is blocked, use an alternate route.
    
9. Stop, Drop and Roll. If clothing catches fire: stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face, and roll until the flames are out. For burns, cool the area under cool running water for 10–15 minutes. If the burn blisters or chars, seek medical care immediately.
    
10. Get out fast. Do not stop for belongings or pets. Go straight to your meeting place. Once safe, call the fire department from a neighbour’s phone or a mobile phone. Make sure everyone knows how to call emergency services.
     
11. ...and stay out. Once you are outside, do not go back inside for any reason. Firefighters have the training and equipment to rescue people safely. Smoke and heat can quickly become deadly.
     
12. Trapped? Close all doors between you and the fire. Stuff cracks around doors with cloth to keep smoke out. Go to a window and signal for help using a flashlight or light‑coloured cloth. If you have a phone, call the fire department and clearly report your location.

Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher can help you respond quickly and safely to a small fire—before it grows out of control.

This short video explains the basics of fire extinguisher use, including when it’s appropriate to use one and important safety tips to keep in mind. A few minutes of learning now can make a critical difference in an emergency.

Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives—but only if they’re properly installed and maintained.

• Install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside sleeping areas (such as hallways), and on every level of your home, including the basement.
• Test alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button to make sure they’re working.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years, or sooner if they don’t respond when tested.

Take a few minutes to check your alarms today—it’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your household.

Space Heaters

Portable space heaters are a leading cause of home fires if used incorrectly.

• Keep heaters at least three feet (one metre) away from anything that can burn.
• Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to sleep. Keep children and pets well away.
• Choose a heater with an automatic shut‑off feature in case it tips over.
• Place heaters on a flat, level surface with clear space around them.
• Avoid plugging heaters into the same circuit as other high‑wattage appliances.
• Regularly check outlets, plugs, and cords for heat or damage, and replace frayed or loose cords immediately.

Tip: Never use a range or oven to heat your home.

Matches & Lighters

• Store matches and lighters up high and out of reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Teach children to tell an adult if they find matches or lighters—and to never touch them.

Fire is not the only source of severe burns. Water, normally the firefighter’s friend, can also be a foe. Always be careful around fire, hot liquids and gases. To learn more about protecting children from burns and scalds visit burnfund.org.

Fireworks may look harmless, but they can cause serious injuries—especially to children. Even sparklers burn at temperatures of up to 1,200°F (649°C) and are responsible for thousands of injuries each year.

In Kelowna, fireworks and firecrackers are restricted to approved events run by licensed professionals. Personal use is strictly prohibited. Know the rules by reviewing the Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 10760.

• Use only non‑combustible, flame‑retardant, or flame‑resistant decorations.
• Never use candles to decorate trees.
• Keep candles away from decorations and combustible materials, and always place them in sturdy holders. Blow them out before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Use battery‑powered candles whenever possible.
• Purchase lights tested by an independent lab (such as CSA or ULC) and follow manufacturer instructions.
• Use indoor and outdoor lights in their intended settings.
• Run outdoor cords above ground to avoid contact with snow or water.
• Inspect light strings for damage and replace faulty sets.
• Use plastic clips—not nails—to hang lights safely.
• Keep decorations away from exits and exit routes.
• Space heaters need space—keep at least one metre of clearance.
• Turn off all lights and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
• Never place furniture or rugs over electrical cords.
• Take down decorations and bring outdoor lights inside immediately after the holidays.

• Ask smokers to keep smoking materials with them and away from children.
• Store matches and lighters up high and out of reach.
• After gatherings, check under cushions, furniture, and inside garbage cans for smouldering cigarette or cigar butts.
• Closely supervise anyone cooking or smoking while under the influence of alcohol.