The Halton Hills Fire Department’s mission is to provide fire protection and prevention services to protect our community and enhance safety. An essential component of that is fire and public safety education as we recognize the most important defence against fire is awareness through education. Our strategy to reduce fire deaths and injuries is to focus on prevention by identifying and changing unsafe behaviours which we do by providing professional, quality public education programs.
The Halton Hills Fire Department is continually involved in comprehensive, innovative, and outstanding prevention programming. Our firefighters work cooperatively with co-workers, schools, community groups, businesses, volunteer organizations, and individual citizens to provide effective fire prevention programs and promote excellent community relations throughout the town.
The Halton Hills Fire Department provides important information on how to keep yourself and your family safe by providing fire safety education on a range of topics, including:
Prepare yourself by thinking ahead, asking questions, and deciding whether to stay or go based on your abilities.
Ask yourself, "If there's a fire in the building, will I stay and shelter in place or will I go?"
The decision is yours. Know what you will do before a fire happens and don't leave things to chance.
If a fire happens in your apartment unit |
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If your building's fire alarm sounds, follow these steps |
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What if I'm physically unable to leave? |
When your exit is blocked by smoke or fire and you are physically unable to exit the building, you should:
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What causes apartment fires?
In Halton Hills, the most common causes of fires in high-rise buildings are cooking and smoking and in both cases, these types of fires are preventable.
Distractions are dangerous.
The main cause of home stovetop fires is unattended cooking due to distractions such as answering the phone, unexpected visitors, attending to child, falling asleep and forgetfulness.
What's your plan?
Think ahead, ask questions and decide whether you will stay or go, based on your abilities.
Ask yourself: If there's a fire in the building, will I stay and protect in place or will I go?
The decision is yours. Know what you will do before a fire happens.
Simple ways YOU can prevent fire in your building |
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The Do's and Don'ts of Fire Escape Planning |
Do:
Don't:
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As a babysitter, you're in charge of the safety of the children that you're looking after. This includes their safety in the case of an emergency.
When you are babysitting, it is important to be prepared and know what to do in case there is a fire.
Ask the adults who hired you about their household's fire escape plan. Review the plan and ask for clarification if needed.
Family Fire Escape Plan |
Each minute, a fire can double in size. That is why having a home fire escape plan is one of the most important things you can do for your family.
Creating a Family Fire Escape PlanDraw a map of your home with all members of your household. Be sure to include every level and room as well as stairways and hallways. Practice your plan twice a year, once at night and once during the day using different ways out. Your home escape plan should Include: Two ways out of every room
A meeting place outside the home
Develop a fire escape plan today using this Family Fire Escape Plan guide. Escape planning if you live in an apartmentDraw a map of your apartment with all members of your household. Be sure to include every level and room as well as stairways and hallways. Practice your plan twice a year, once at night and once during the day using different ways out. Your home escape plan should Include:
If the apartment is in an apartment building
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Supervise the children when they are awake and check on them often when they are in bed. Once they are asleep, stay close enough to hear them if they wake up. If there is a fire, you will know where they are and it will be easier to help them escape.
For more information about fire safety, refer to Canada Safety Council.
Resources |
Canadian Red Cross babysitting courses Participants learn how to provide care to younger children in a variety of age groups, and how to prevent and respond to emergencies. For ages 11 and up. SOS4Kids - Red Cross Babysitting course Provides the Red Cross Babysitting program where participants learn how to provide care to younger children in a variety of age groups, and how to prevent and respond to emergencies. For ages 11 and up St. John Ambulance - Babysitting course This course is designed for ages 11-14 and teaches new babysitters the skills necessary to care for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. It emphasizes safety, dealing with emergencies and first aid basics. |
Grilling is a popular way to enjoy the nice summer weather, but grill fires can start easily and spread quickly when the gas or charcoal grill is placed too close to any fire hazards. Learn how you can help keep your home and family safe by following our grill safety tips.
If you live in an apartment or condo building, check your lease agreements or condominium rules to find out if barbeques of any kind are allowed on your balcony.
Ask your superintendent or property manager if you do not have a copy of the rules and regulations specific to your building.
In most cases, balconies are not designed for the use of barbeques as they are not large enough to provide enough clearance from combustible materials (things that can burn).
Smoke from barbeques can drift into nearby apartment units causing concerns for other residents. Smoke may also enter through windows, doors or air intakes and cause false smoke alarms and fire alarms.
Please be considerate of fellow residents and do your part to prevent a false alarm caused by smoke or a fire caused by a barbeque.
If barbecues are permitted in your building, there are still some regulations you need to be aware of:
The Ontario Fire Code does not specifically prohibit the use of barbeques on balconies. However, in the event of fire damage resulting from a barbecue, the owner or resident may face some liability for resulting damage.
Please be advised that the Halton Hills Fire Department does not give approval for balcony barbecuing due to the following concerns:
Resources |
If you are a horse owner, a barn fire may be one of your biggest nightmares. You could lose thousands of dollars worth of supplies, feed and equipment and in the worst case scenario, your horses. Most fires are preventable and are often the result of carelessness or simply a lack of knowledge.
Barns and other farm buildings are specifically exempt from Ontario Fire Code regulations. However, if you would like some suggested fire safety tips or have a fire prevention question or concern related to a farm, barn or rural properties, contact Captain Mark Burger at (905) 877-2600 ex 2115 or by email.
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While candles may look pleasant and harmless, they can be dangerous with open flames reaching more than 1,400 degrees Celsius.
Before you purchase candles for your home or as a gift for a loved one, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Candle fires are a leading cause of home fires and happen most often during the holiday season and typically inside the bedroom.
There are now battery operated flameless candles available at most retail stores. These safer alternatives use small L.E.D. (luminated electric diode) bulbs that do not generate any heat and flicker to provide a realistic flame effect. These flameless candles are also extremely efficient and last a long time on battery power.
Avoid using candles as emergency lighting. Always keep flashlights and/or battery-powered lamps and a stock of fresh batteries in a designated area.
Resources |
National Fire Protection Association Tip Sheet |
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that you cannot hear, see, smell or taste. It is known as the "silent killer". CO is the No. 1 cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America.
CO alarms must be installed outside each sleeping area in all homes and residential buildings with fuel-burning appliances, heating systems, fireplaces or attached garages.
CO is produced by the incomplete burning of fuels like natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, coal, charcoal or wood due to inadequate air. In enclosed spaces like your home, cottage or vehicle, even a small amount of CO is dangerous and can be life threatening.
It's the Law |
CO alarms must be installed outside each sleeping area in all homes and residential buildings with fuel-burning appliances, heating systems, fireplaces or attached garages. This Ontario law was finalized in October 2014 and after a phase-in period; it became enforceable on April 15, 2015. Failure to comply could result in a ticket of $360 or prosecution. |
CO Alarms in Apartment Buildings |
In all multi-unit residential buildings with attached garages or service rooms, CO alarms are required near each sleeping area in each unit with a common wall, floor or ceiling with the garage or service room. The owner, landlord or property manager must install and maintain properly working CO alarms in your building. |
CO Safety Checklist |
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Home Safe Home Program |
Seniors living alone and persons with disabilities or limited mobility that need help maintaining home smoke and CO alarms may request a Home Safe Home visit. The visit includes a home safety inspection designed to identify and rectify fire hazards, assistance with changing batteries in smoke/CO alarms and the replacing of smoke/CO alarms if required. For more information and to find out if you qualify, please call Captain Mark Burger at (905) 877-6001 ex 2115 or by email. |
When your CO alarm sounds |
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Unattended cooking is by far the leading cause of residential structure fires. More fires begin in the kitchen than any other room in the home in Ontario. In fact, residential cooking is one of the leading causes of fire-related deaths. The majority of kitchen fires begin with cooking equipment.
What do I do if I have a kitchen fire? |
Stovetop Fires
Oven/microwave fires
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Electricity makes our lives easier, however we need to be cautious and keep safety in mind when using anything that requires it.
To reduce your risk, the National Fire Prevention Association recommends that you have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician, including electrical inspections, when buying or remodeling a home.
The fire department responds to a wide variety of emergencies involving flooding. Sudden floods create electrical concerns because electrical service is still active in the building or your home and may be impacted by the water.
Water and electricity do not mix and can result in serious injury or death.
Here are some electrical safety tips to follow in the event of a flood:
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Did you know that 7 out of 10 fires in Canada occur at home? Protect your family and home from fire with smoke alarms and by planning your escape.
Each minute, a fire can double in size. When a fire occurs, there is no time to waste. That is why having a home fire escape plan is one of the most important things you can do for your family.
Draw a map of your home with all members of your household. Be sure to include every level and room as well as stairways and hallways. Practice your plan twice a year, once at night and once during the day using different ways out. Your home escape plan should Include:
Two ways out of every room
A meeting place outside the home
Develop a fire escape plan today using this Family Fire Escape Plan guide.
Draw a map of your apartment with all members of your household. Be sure to include every level and room as well as stairways and hallways. Practice your plan twice a year, once at night and once during the day using different ways out. Your home escape plan should Include:
Two ways out of every room
If you have a disability, whether permanent or temporary, it’s important to think about how you may need to respond during a fire or life safety emergency.
Talk with members of your family, neighbours or building superintendent and create an emergency plan that reflects your individual needs and abilities.
Our priority to keep you safe at home, which is why we developed the Home Safe Home Program. This program is designed to support Halton Hills homeowners over the age of 65 or residents with a disability that prevents them from maintaining their home's smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. This program is for people with no support network or agencies available to assist. A Home Safe Home visit includes a home safety inspection designed to identify and rectify fire hazards, assistance with changing batteries in smoke/CO alarms and the replacing of smoke/CO alarms if required.
To request your Home Safe Home visit contact Captain Mark Burger at (905) 877-6001 ex 2115 or by email.
Have a personal escape plan that is customized to meet your needs. Talk about it with everyone at home.
Be sure that the escape plan includes roles for everyone in the household.
If you or someone you live with cannot escape alone, designate a member of the household to assist (have a back-up plan in case the designated helper is away at the time of the emergency).
Conduct regular fire drills to determine if everyone is able to hear and respond to smoke alarms. If someone requires additional warning or uses any special assistance or devices, identify these as part of your plan.
Keep in mind, fire and life safety is everyone’s responsibility. When it comes to understanding your needs, you're the expert. Be sure to communicate any special assistance you might require to caregivers, firefighters or other first responders at the time you make your plan.
Make escape easy. Consider locating your bedroom on the ground floor near an exit, making escape easier. Make sure that smoke alarms are on every level of your home and outside of sleeping areas and carbon monoxide alarms are installed near any sleeping area. Have a phone or telecommunications device installed where you sleep and post-emergency telephone numbers in a central location and in your wallet.
Resources |
Portable fire extinguishers can be the first thing used to contain or put out a small fire until the fire department arrives. Fire extinguishers are not designed for use on large or spreading fires.
Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan. The most important element is getting out to safety.
Before you fight any fire, be sure that:
Choosing an extinguisher |
Extinguishers are labelled with standard symbols or letters for the classes of fire they can put out. Check and match these symbols to the contents in the room before buying and installing an extinguisher. All extinguishers must:
No fire extinguisher can be used safely and effectively for every type of fire. Some contain chemicals that will not work in certain situations and can even cause harm if not used correctly. |
Common types of extinguishers |
Dry Chemical ExtinguisherThere are two types of fire extinguishers that use a dry chemical:
Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher
Water Extinguisher
For more information about different classes of fire, visit the National Fire Protection Association's website. |
How to use an extinguisher |
To use an extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS:
Always read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and use before a fire breaks out. |
Note: The Halton Hills Fire Department does not sell fire extinguishers. A list of reputable companies can be found online or in your local phone book. Local hardware retailers sell fire extinguishers.
Resources |
Details about open air burning with a permit |
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When applying for a new burn permit (an expired permit older than 12 months from the current date is considered a new permit and not a renewal), please include two pictures. One picture taken from the back fence facing the back of the home and one picture taken from the back of the home towards the fence. Both pictures MUST include what you are using for containment (i.e. chimnea/burn barrel/stone surround). The picture should also your method of extinguishment (e.g. garden hose) and that it will safely reach the burn area. When submitting your pictures, be mindful that adequate clearance from combustibles and structures must be clearly visible. |
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Application Information |
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To obtain a permit the applicant must complete an application and forward the appropriate fee to: Halton Hills Fire Department, 14007 10 Sideroad, Georgetown, ON, L7G 4S5. Payment can be made by cash, cheque, visa or debit card. Upon receipt of the completed application and appropriate funds received the Fire Department will then conduct a site inspection (if required). The inspector will issue you a permit upon a successful site inspection and agreement to follow the conditions of the permit (listed below). There will be no refunds for a failed inspection but there will be no fee associated for any re-inspection required. Inspections for renewals of farm or recreational/residential permits are not required. Upon receipt of the completed application and appropriate funds, an approved permit will be issued. Applications can be obtained at either the Acton or Georgetown fire stations or online. Further information can be obtained by calling the Fire Department.
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Conditions for a Burn Permit |
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Ontario Fire Code Sentence 2.4.4.4(1) states “Open air burning shall not take place unless (a) it has been approved, or (b) the open-air burning consists of a small, confined fire that is (i) used to cook food on a grill, barbecue or spit, (ii) commensurate with the type and quantity of food being cooked, and (iii) supervised at all times." InterpretationA ‘small, confined fire' used to cook food is defined as a fire reasonably proportioned to the food being cooked. Cooking of food other than on a grill/BBQ or spit requires an open air burn permit. The fire must be contained in a fire pit or enclosure that is constructed of a non-combustible material such as stones, cement or metal. The enclosure shall be designed to limit the size of the fire to the surface area of a household barbecue. The fire must be extinguished immediately after the food has been cooked. Permit to conduct open air burning general requirements
NOTE: leaves and other compostable yard waste may not be burned in the urban areas or where yard waste pick-up is available.
Recreational and residential specific requirements
Municipal addressThe municipal address of the property must be clearly posted at the burn site. In rural areas and at construction sites where no municipal address is assigned to the site, the Notice provided by the Halton Hills Fire Department shall be posted at the entrance to the site. |
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Penalties |
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Any violation of the conditions of the Permit to Conduct Open Air Burning, in the opinion of the Fire Department, will result in any or all of the following action(s) being taken.
Subsection 28(3)(b) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act 1997 states: “An individual convicted of an offence is liable to, in the case of an offence for contravention of the fire code, a fine of not more than $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both.” Subsection 28(4) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act 1997 states: “A corporation is convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of not more than $100,000.” Subsection 28(5) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act 1997 states: “A director or officer of a corporation who knows that the corporation is violating or has violated a provision of the fire code is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or both.” Cost RecoveryIn the event the Halton Hills Fire Department responds to extinguish Open Air Burning being conducted without a Permit, or in violation of the conditions of the Permit, the full costs of extinguishment, including labour costs and equipment costs, as determined by the Chief Fire Official may be charged to the property owner and/or Permit Holder. |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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BLANK SPACE FOR MORE INFO
The largest percentage of fire deaths in the home occurs at night while people are sleeping. Working smoke alarms provide early warning and time to escape.
Smoke alarms expire after 10 years. Regardless of the power source (hardwired or battery), after 10 years the sensing technology inside the alarm may no longer be reliable in sensing smoke or fire. That's why smoke alarms must be replaced every 10 years.
Not sure of the age of your alarms? Check the expiry date sticker usually found on the side of the alarm or the date of manufacture listed on the backside of the alarm.
Every home must have working smoke alarms on every level and outside all sleeping areas.
There are several types of smoke alarms with different features. Alarms can be electrically connected, battery powered or a combination of both. Many alarms have a pause or hush feature, which can be used to temporarily silence nuisance alarms.
Install smoke alarms on the ceiling because smoke rises. If that's not an option, place high on the wall in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid placing close to bathrooms, heating appliances or close to windows and ceiling fans. For added protection, install additional alarms inside the bedrooms.
As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to install and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas.
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure your rental properties comply with this law.
If you are a tenant of a rental property and do not have the required number of smoke alarms, contact your landlord immediately. It is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the smoke alarms in any way.
Smoke alarms that employ high decibel alarms and strobe lights are available for the deaf or hard-of-hearing. Visit the Canadian Hearing Service's website for information.
Seniors living alone and persons with disabilities or limited mobility that need help maintaining home smoke and CO alarms may request a Home Safe Home visit. The visit includes a home safety inspection designed to identify and rectify fire hazards, assistance with changing batteries in smoke/CO alarms and the replacing of smoke/CO alarms if required.
This is a free and voluntary assistance program offered by the fire department to eligible residents. Participating homeowners are solely responsible for ensuring their homes are compliant with Ontario laws.
Note: Hardwired alarm units must be installed and/or serviced by a licensed technician/electrician.
For program information and eligibility criteria, please call Captain Mark Burger at (905) 877-6001 ex 2115 or contact him by email.
If you are an older adult or an individual who is unable to install or test your smoke alarm, we would like to help. The Halton Hills Fire Department Home Safe Home Program might be for you.
For those living in apartment buildings or assisted-living residences where smoke alarms are maintained by building management, we can still answer your questions and provide safety information.
Resources |
Aside from the fact that smoking is bad for your health, there are more reasons why smoking can be deadly:
Thinking of quitting? Visit Halton Region's Public Health Thinking of Quitting Smoking webpage.
More information for tenants, landlords and owners about the benefits of smoke-free housing can be found on Halton Region's Smoke-free Housing page
Every year, preventable fires affect students. While there are several causes for these fires, (i.e. cigarettes, candles, cooking, space heaters, etc.) you need to be prepared in the event of fire:
To learn about emergency preparedness and what steps you can take to keep you and your family safe in an emergency, please visit our Emergency Preparedness page.