Your ability to get out of your home during a fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning. Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. 

A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.

For more information and to download a home escape plan.

Most fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping. A working smoke alarm will detect smoke and sound to alert you. In Ontario, residences must have a working smoke alarm on every level and outside every sleeping area.

Homes built after 2014

Every home built after 2014 must have a working smoke alarm on every level and in every sleeping room. The smoke alarms must:

• be interconnected to each other
• have a battery backup that lasts for at least seven days if the building loses power
• include a visual strobe light (visual signaling component)

Quick tips

• Smoke alarms are required to be installed on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area
• The smoke alarm must be installed on or near the ceiling, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
• Upgrade to interconnected smoke alarms, so that when one goes off, they all go off together, giving you warning wherever you are in your home
• Choose hardwired smoke alarms or alarms with a 10-year sealed battery
• Consider installing extra automatic 'fire suppression' systems at home –like sprinklers
• Sleep with your bedroom door closed at night
• Test your alarm monthly
• Change the batteries at least once per year if applicable to your alarm

Types of smoke alarms

Smoke and Carbon monoxide alarms must be labelled as meeting ULC or CUL standards

Smoke alarms are available as

• Hardwired
• With 10-year sealed batteries
• With disposable 9-volt batteries
• Dual powered (hardwired with a battery backup)

Hardwired smoke alarms rely on household electricity as an energy source. When power to your home is disrupted for any reason, the smoke alarms are no longer energized. To ensure continuous protection during a power outage, install additional battery-operated smoke alarms within your home.

Note: a hardwired smoke alarm is not necessarily an interconnected smoke alarm where when one alarm activates, all the smoke alarms are activated.

Dual power smoke alarms are designed to offer an additional energy source from a battery and provides continuous protection when household electricity is not available. The battery in a dual power smoke alarm should be changed once a year.

Detection technology

There are two approved alarm types, ionization and photoelectric. Both types conform to Canadian standards and will detect all types of fires that commonly occur in the home. Installing both types of smoke alarms in your home can enhance fire safety.

Advantages of ionization

• Fastest type to respond to flaming fires
• Some models have a hush or temporary silence feature that allows silencing without removing the battery
• Some models are available with a long-life battery

Advantages of photoelectric (recommended near the kitchen)

• Fastest type to respond to slow smouldering fires and white or gray smoke
• Less prone to nuisance alarms from cooking, mist, or steam from showers

Maintain your alarm

• Test smoke alarms monthly
• Test your smoke alarms every month by using the test button on the alarm. When the test button is pressed, the alarm should sound. If it fails to sound, make sure that the battery is installed correctly or install a new battery. If the alarm still fails to sound, replace the smoke alarm with a new one.
• Change the batteries at least once a year
• Install a new battery at least once a year, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Install a new battery if the low-battery warning sounds or if the alarm fails to sound when tested.
• Vacuum alarms annually
• Dust can clog your smoke alarms. Battery-powered smoke alarms should be cleaned by opening the cover of the alarm and gently vacuuming the inside with a soft bristle brush.
• For electrically connected smoke alarms, first shut off the power to the unit, and then gently vacuum the outside vents of the alarm only. Turn the power back on and test the alarm.

Rental Units

The landlord must make sure that there are working smoke alarms in the units. Renters should:

• test the alarms in their unit every month
• report any issues with the alarm to their landlord immediately

Remember, it is against the law to disable a smoke alarm.

CO is a highly poisonous gas produced when fuel-burning appliances (fireplaces, dryers, furnaces, stoves, water heaters, etc.) do not get enough air to burn completely. High amounts of Carbon Monoxide is deadly to humans and pets.

As of 1 January 2026, It is mandatory to have a working CO alarm installed ON EVERY LEVEL in your home. 

If you or someone you’re with experiences symptoms of CO poisoning—such as dizziness, headache, nausea, confusion, or weakness—get to fresh air immediately and call 911.

• Install and test CO alarms regularly.
• Never block vents, chimneys, or exhausts.
• Have fuel-burning appliances inspected annually.

You must maintain your carbon monoxide alarm in operating condition and should:

• test carbon monoxide alarms every month by pressing the test button
• replace batteries every year
• replace carbon monoxide alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions

Visit the Province of Ontario's Carbon Monoxide Safety page

Unattended cooking is a leading cause of home fires in Ontario.

To prevent cooking fires:

• be alert – do not cook if you:
  • are sleepy
  • have consumed alcohol, drugs or medicine that makes you drowsy
• always stay in the kitchen while cooking and turn off the stove if you must leave
• keep anything that burns a safe distance from the stove, including:
  • oven mitts
  • cooking utensils
  • dishcloths
  • paper towels
  • potholders
• keep a proper-fitting pot lid near the stove when cooking so you can slide the lid over the pot and turn off the stove if the pot catches fire. Do not move the pot until it has cooled completely
• wear short or tight sleeves or roll sleeves up when cooking, to avoid loose-fitting clothes from catching fire on stove burners

Electrical equipment is a leading cause of home fires in Ontario.

To prevent electrical fires:

• avoid running cords under rugs which can damage the cord and cause a fire
• avoid overloading a circuit. If additional outlets or circuits are required, have them installed by a licensed electrician
• use extension cords only as a temporary connection, if permanent wiring is required, have additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician
• do not link extension cords together, use an extension cord that is long enough
• plug air conditioners and other heavy appliances directly into an outlet
• install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in bathrooms, kitchens and garages (GFCIs shut off an electrical circuit when it becomes a shock hazard)
• check electrical cords for damage, such as fraying or nicks as a damaged cord can expose wires and result in a potential shock or fire hazard

Stay safe while keeping warm.

To prevent fires:

• ensure woodstoves, fireplaces and fireplace inserts are installed by a qualified technician according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• have your heating system, vents and chimneys inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified service technician
• ensure all outside heating vents are not blocked
• let ashes from your woodstove or fireplace cool before emptying them into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid and keep the container outside
• always use a fire screen in front of a fireplace
• burn dry, well-seasoned wood in fireplaces and woodstoves to reduce the risk of excessive creosote build-up in chimneys
• keep space heaters at least one metre or three feet away from anything that can burn, including curtains, upholstery and clothing

In relation to heating and vehicle safety:

• replace worn or damaged electrical wires and connections on vehicles and extension cords and use the proper gauge extension cord for vehicle block heaters
• consider using approved timers for vehicle block heaters rather than leaving heaters on all night
• ensure that vehicles are not left running inside any garage or building

Portable fire extinguishers can help to save lives and property by extinguishing or helping to contain small fires until the fire department arrives.

The number one priority in any fire is always for residents to get out safely – Fire can grow and spread quickly – Please call your local fire department immediately for any fire.

When to use a Fire Extinguisher

• Everyone has safely exited the building.
• When a fire is contained to a small area, such as a wastebasket.
• The fire is not growing.
• The fire department has been called or is being called.
• The room is not filled with smoke.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

• Class A – Ordinary combustibles (wood, paper)
• Class B – Grease, gasoline and oils
• Class C – Burning electrical wires

Select a multi-purpose extinguisher labeled ABC which can be used on all types of home fires. Purchase an extinguisher that is large enough to put out a small fire, and light enough to easily use. The fire extinguisher should carry the label of an independent testing laboratory (CSA or ULC). Fire extinguishers should be installed near an exit, in a visible and accessible location. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for operating and taking care of a fire extinguisher. The pressure gauge should be checked once monthly.

It is safe to use a Fire Extinguisher if:

• The fire is contained to a small area and is not spreading beyond the area immediately surrounding it.
• There is an unblocked escape that you can use where the fire won’t spread.
• You have read and understand the operating instructions and are confident using the fire extinguisher.

How to use a Fire Extinguisher:

Stand approximately 2.5 metres (8 feet) from the fire and keep your back to a clear exit. If the room begins to fill with smoke, leave immediately staying low until safely outside.

To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS

• Pull the pin, and hold with the extinguisher nozzle pointing away from you. Give a test squeeze to make sure the extinguisher is working properly before approaching the fire.
• Aim low and point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
• Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

IF THE FIRE DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY GO OUT, EXIT THE AREA AT ONCE

Is Your Wood Stove Safe?

Improperly installed and maintained wood stoves and fireplaces can lead to dangerous conditions that put you, your family, and neighbours at risk.

Follow the rules – When purchasing a new wood stove or fireplace insert, look for the mark of an accredited certification agency that ensures the product has been tested and meets established safety standards.

Check with your local building department and obtain any necessary permits prior to installing a wood stove, fireplace insert, or chimney. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

The Ontario Fire Code requires homeowners to ensure that their home heating appliances and chimneys are safe. This requires periodic inspections and maintenance.

Tips for maintaining your wood burning appliance

1. Inspect and Clean your Chimney
   • Check your chimney and clear any obstructions at the start of the heating season, and make sure damper controls work properly to keep smoke and toxic gases from building up inside the home.
   • Check chimneys and flue pipes often for creosote and soot build-up and clean to prevent a chimney fire.
   • Your chimney may have problems you can’t see. If in doubt, consult a WETT (Wood Energy Technical Training) certified chimney sweep.
2. Cap It Off
   • Maintain an appropriate chimney cap on top of your chimney to protect against damage from rain or snow.
   • Spark screens should be inspected regularly to make sure smoke can vent properly.
3. Check Stove Pipes and Connections
   • Ensure all joints in flue pipes are securely fastened with at least 3 screws. Where flue pipes are joined together, the small (crimped) end should point toward the appliance.
4. Protect Floors and Walls from Heat and Sparks
   • Keep combustible materials a safe distance away from wood stoves and fireplaces.
   • Always use a properly fitting screen for your fireplace.
   • Consult a WETT certified chimney sweep if walls get too hot.
5. Burn Dry Wood
   • Burn properly dried well-seasoned wood to reduce the risk of excessive creosote build-up from inefficient burning or smoldering fires.
   • Store wood outdoors, stacked in an open area or shed away from the house or deck to provide good air flow that will assist drying.
6. Remove Ashes Safely
   • Allow ashes to cool fully before cleaning them from your fireplace or wood stove.
   • Use only metal, non-combustible containers to remove ashes from the appliance.
   • Take them outside immediately and store well away from buildings on a non-combustible surface.
7. Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms
   • All homes with fuel-fired appliances should have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. Check with your fire department or municipal office regarding Building Code and municipal by-law requirements.

Each year, hundreds of lives are lost because emergency vehicles could not arrive on scene fast enough. Common causes for this are no PIN numbers, private lanes not adequately marked, and lack of access for emergency vehicles.

Tips to allow emergency responders to find your home or cottage:

• Ensure your PIN Number clearly identifies your home or cottage. If you don’t have a PIN number, contact the Township Municipal Office at 613-259-2398 to arrange for installation.
• Ensure laneways and private drives direct responders to your home. It may be necessary to install a second pin number tree or post directing responders down a lane to find your PIN number. If you believe that emergency responders would benefit from this secondary identification, please call the Township office at 613-259- 2398
• Send help to access points that emergency vehicles will arrive by. Provide directions for responders.
• It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure private laneways are plowed with limbs and trees cleared to a minimum width of 6 metres with overhead clearance of 5 metres. Turns and corners must be wide enough to allow trucks to drive directly to the building.

Limited Access May Affect Emergency Response

It is important that a fire truck or ambulance be able to use your laneway when responding to an emergency call at your house or cottage.

The owner of a building in the Township of Lanark Highlands is responsible for the access to the building from the traveled portion of the road to the building.

An access that is not suitable for a large pumper truck or ambulance may affect the effectiveness of emergency personnel responding to an emergency call at that location.

Laneways should be snowplowed and cleared of limbs or trees to a minimum width of 6 metres with a clearance of 5 metres overhead. Any turns or corners must be wide enough to allow the trucks to drive directly to the residence.

Here are some tips offered by the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Township of Lanark Highlands Fire Service on Fireworks Safety to keep you and your family safe:

• Check with your local Fire Department during Fire Bans
• Always follow the label directions
• Never make your own fireworks
• The shooter should always wear protective eye glasses or protection for their hands
• Fireworks are meant for outdoor environments only
• Have an adult present to light them
• Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass
• Discharge fireworks only if wind conditions do not create a safety hazard
• Always have water handy when lighting fireworks (ie: a garden hose) you can also use sand in a bucket if need be to put them out.
• Only light one at a time. Never attempt to re-light fireworks that have misfired (duds). Wait 30 minutes and then place them in a bucket of water.
• Never throw/point fireworks at other people
• Sparklers burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing, cause blindness and result in severe burns. As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, it should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury