November 24-30, 2015 is National Home Fire Safety Week, and the Middlesex-London Health Unit is encouraging residents, landlords and property managers to reduce the risk of fires by making their homes smoke-free.

Smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires in Ontario

Not only is smoking harmful to your health, but it’s also the leading cause of fatal fires in Ontario (Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs). According to the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management, from 2004-2013, tobacco materials (cigarettes, cigars and pipes) remained the number one ignition source of fatal residential fires. The good news is that home fires caused by smoking can be prevented.

Tips to reduce the risk of fire

Encourage those who smoke to smoke outside

• Making your own home smoke-free. This means no smoking in any room of the house.
• If you live in multi-unit housing and smoking is allowed, talk to your housing provider about making your building(s) smoke-free. Visit Smoke-Free Housing Ontario for information on how to talk to your housing provider.
• If you are a housing provider, consider making your building(s) smoke-free. Keeping your buildings smoke-free not only reduces the risk of fire, but also reduces the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. Visit Smoke-Free Housing Ontario for more information on implementing smoke-free policies.

Keep smoking related materials out of reach

• Make sure that all smoking related materials such as cigarettes, matches and lighters are out of reach and out of the sight of children. If you smoke, keep your lighter with you at all times.

Put it out right

Cigarettes can smoulder undetected for hours, so it’s important to put them out right the first time.

• Use a large deep, ashtray that cannot be knocked over and keep it away from anything that can burn
• Never leave a cigarette burning unattended
• Make sure your cigarette butts are completely out before tossing them
• Do not put cigarettes in potted plants, garbage, mulch, landscaping or anything that can catch fire quickly
• Empty tobacco ashes into a metal container - not the garbage can - and put the container outside
• If people have been smoking in your home, check behind chair and sofa cushions for cigarette butts before going to bed

Make sure you have working smoke alarms

• Make sure you have working smoke alarms every level of your home
• Test your smoke alarms often and replace batteries when you change your clocks to daylight savings time

Consider Quitting

• If you or your family members are a current tobacco user, consider quitting smoking. For more information on resources available, contact the Middlesex-London Quit Clinic at 519-663-5317 ext. 4357.

Additional Information

Learn more about National Home Fire Safety Week.

Contact Us

For more information, contact the Middlesex-London Health Unit Tobacco Information Line:

• 519-663-5317 ext. 2673
• smokefreeinfo@mlhu.on.ca

References

1. Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. (2015) Holiday Fire Safety. Retrieved November 19, 2015 from http://www.oafc.on.ca/holiday-fire-safety
2. Ontario Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services. (2014). 2004 -2013 Ontario Residential Fatal Fires: Children, Adults, Seniors. Retrieved November 19, 2015 from http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/FireMarshal/MediaRelationsandResources/FireStatistics/OntarioFatalities/HomeFireFatalitiesChildrenAdultsSeniors/stats_fatal_res.html
3. Ontario Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services. (2014). Ontario Fatal Fires: 2004-2013. Retrieved November 19, 2015 from http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/FireMarshal/MediaRelationsandResources/FireStatistics/OntarioFatalities/FatalFiresSummary/stats_fatal_summary.html
4. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). (2015). Smoking & Home Fire Safety. Quincy, MA: NFPA Public Health Division. Retrieved November 19, 2015 from http://www.nfpa.org/~/media/files/safety-information/safety-tip-sheets/smokingsafety.pdf?la=en
5. Fire Prevention Canada. Home Safety: Safety Tips for the Home. Retrieved November 19, 2015 from http://www.fiprecan.ca/home-safety
6. Government of Alberta. (2015). September is Smoking Fire Safety. Retrieved November 19, 2015 from http://www.ofc.alberta.ca/smoking-fire-safety
7. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). (2015). Smoking Material Safety Tips. Retrieved November 19, 2015 from http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/causes/smoking/smoking-material-safety-tips
8. United States Fire Administration (USFA). (June 2007). Fire Safety Facts for Smokers and People Who Live With Smokers. Retrieved November 19, 2015 from http://www.pfa.org/firesafe/USFA_factsheet.pdf