Fire Safety

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WFD Fire Prevention Vehicles

Working Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms can save your life in an emergency http://www.knowfire.ca/.

There are many ways you can improve fire safety including:

Smoking Fire Safety (Cigarettes / Cannabis)
How do I prevent a smoking fire? - Encourage smokers to smoke outside. - Do not extinguish cigarettes in plant pots, which may contain a mixture of peat moss, shredded wood and bark that can easily ignite. - Never smoke in bed. - Use large, deep ashtrays that cannot be knocked over. - Empty ashes into a metal container – not the garbage can – and put it outside. - If people have been smoking in your home, check behind chair and sofa cushions for cigarette butts before going to bed. A dangerous mix: Alcohol is a factor in many smoking-related fires! Impairment includes cannabis: cooking while under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs or cannabis can result in a fire. Whether it is tobacco or cannabis, cigarettes and joints need to be properly extinguished in large, deep ashtrays. Hazardous extraction using flammable materials such as butane is against the law in homes and in basements. Extracting cannabis oil with flammable solvents is extremely hazardous. It can result in the uncontrolled release of flammable vapours. If ignited, these vapours lead to explosions and fires that can cause serious injury or death.
Cooking Safely
- Keep your cooking space clean and free of anything that can burn; - Don't store anything on the back of your stove; - Reaching over hot burners and pots can cause burns; - Roll up your sleeves or wear a short sleeved shirt; - Keep pot lids close to the stove while you cook; - If there is a small fire you can slide lids onto pots and turn off burners to put it out. Water and grease don’t mix. - Keep your eye on the pot. Don't let TV distract you. Use a timer to remind you when cooking. - Running late? Don't let the bustle distract you. Always stay alert when cooking. - Drink responsibly when cooking. Alcohol is a factor in many home fires.
Heating Your Home Safely
- Keep anything that can burn at least one meter (3 ft.) away from furnaces, baseboard heaters, woodstoves and fireplaces; - Make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms outside sleeping areas in your home; - Get regular maintenance on your heating equipment from a qualified professional; - Turn off portable heaters every time you leave the room and when you go to bed; - Put ashes into a metal bucked far from combustible materials to cool down; - It can take three days for ashes to cool completely; - Maintain chimneys to make sure there are no blockages.
Using Candles Safely
- Always stay in the room when candles are burning, put out the flame every time you leave the room or go to bed; - In a power outage use battery powered lanterns or battery powered candles to reduce the risk of fire; - Keep candles away from anything that can burn such as furniture or curtains; - Keep candles away from pets; - Keep candles in sturdy candle holders that won't tip or burn.
Clearing Fire Hydrants
- Keep fire hydrants visible and accessible; - Keep grass and vegetation away from fire hydrants; - In winter make sure there is one meter (3 feet) of clear space around fire hydrants and clear paths to reach fire hydrants.
Lithium-ion Battery Safety
We encourage all Woodstock residents to be safe when using devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. This could include many portable consumer electronics, smart phones, laptops, electronic toys, eBikes, eMobility devices, electric vehicles and others. In normal applications, lithium-ion batteries are safe, but if damaged or overheated, they can cause fires. Follow these safety tips: - Do not charge a device under pillows, on beds, couches, or anywhere that would trap heat generated from charging the device; - Charge on a hard surface, with sufficient airflow around the device; - Never charge on or near flammable items; - Unplug devices when fully charged to avoid overheating; - Store your battery at room temperature; - Check device cords for wear and tear, and replace if they are damaged or frayed; - Use only the charging cord that came with the device; - Purchase and use devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory, all equipment must have a Canadian certification mark: CSA, cUL, cETL; - Don't modify or tamper with a battery. Don't use if showing signs of damage like swelling or overheating. For more information, please visit the following websites: 1. Government of Canada Lithium-ion batteries page: https://www.canada.ca/en/battery-safety 2. Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs Lithium-ion battery concerns: https://cafc.ca/page/green-technology 3. Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council’s Charged for Life page: https://www.chargedforlife.ca/
Pull the Plug on Electrical Fires
• Avoid running cords under rugs which can damage the cord and cause a fire. • Avoid overloading a circuit with "octopus outlets". If additional outlets or circuits are required, have them installed by a licensed electrician. • Extension cords should be used only as a temporary connection. If permanent wiring is required, have additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician. Extension cords should not be linked together—use an extension cord that is long enough to do the job. • Air conditioners and other heavy appliances should be plugged directly into an outlet. • Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) should be installed 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. A damaged cord can expose wires and result in a potential shock or fire hazard. • Keep the area around circuit breakers and electrical meters clear and clean. • Bathroom and laundry room exhaust fans are another common source of electrical fires. Remove the cover and dust the fan. After removing the dust, examine the fan for signs of overheating such as discolouration or melting of plastic components around the motor. If you detect any signs of overheating, stop using the fan immediately and call a professional to replace it. • If you suspect a fault with an electrical outlet, wiring or appliances, contact a qualified electrical contractor. For more information visit Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) by calling 1-877-372-7233 or visit https://esasafe.com/faq/.
Fireworks Bylaw Ban Information
As of January 1, 2024 consumer fireworks ARE NOT ALLOWED to be sold or discharged in Woodstock as outlined in Bylaw #0802. Prohibited “Consumer Fireworks” in the City of Woodstock are low-hazard fireworks that are generally used for recreation and are classified as Type F.1 explosives under the Act such as, but not limited to, roman candles, sparklers, flying lanterns, barrages, cakes, comets, mines, missiles, skyrockets, fountains, wheels, ground spinners, burning schoolhouses, and flying ghosts. Rationale for the Fireworks Ban: - to mitigate the risk of fires, damage to property and injury to persons - to reduce debris and air pollution - to reduce excessive noise - to prevent distress to animals, pets, wildlife, and people with noise sensitivities Every Person who contravenes any provision of Bylaw #0802 is guilty of an offence, and upon conviction is liable to a fine or penalty as provided in the Provincial Offences Act. Here is a summary of fines: Did use, set off, or discharge consumer fireworks: $400.00 + VFS total of $490.00 Did cause/permit consumer fireworks to be used set off, or discharged: $400.00 + VFS total of $490.00 Did sell, offer for sale, display, or distribute consumer fireworks: $1000.00 + VFS total of $1,130.00 Professional Fireworks Display Events must be in conformance with Bylaw #0804. If you would like to host a high-hazard fireworks display event, you must submit an application to the Woodstock Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division, noting particulars of the event and provide proof of liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000. This application is reviewed and authorization for the fireworks display event is granted based on criteria set out in Bylaw #0804.

Smoking Fire Safety (Cigarettes / Cannabis)

How do I prevent a smoking fire?

- Encourage smokers to smoke outside.
- Do not extinguish cigarettes in plant pots, which may contain a mixture of peat moss, shredded wood and bark that can easily ignite.
- Never smoke in bed.
- Use large, deep ashtrays that cannot be knocked over.
- Empty ashes into a metal container – not the garbage can – and put it outside.
- If people have been smoking in your home, check behind chair and sofa cushions for cigarette butts before going to bed.

A dangerous mix: Alcohol is a factor in many smoking-related fires!

Impairment includes cannabis: cooking while under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs or cannabis can result in a fire.

Whether it is tobacco or cannabis, cigarettes and joints need to be properly extinguished in large, deep ashtrays.

Hazardous extraction using flammable materials such as butane is against the law in homes and in basements.

Extracting cannabis oil with flammable solvents is extremely hazardous. It can result in the uncontrolled release of flammable vapours. If ignited, these vapours lead to explosions and fires that can cause serious injury or death.

Cooking Safely

- Keep your cooking space clean and free of anything that can burn;
- Don't store anything on the back of your stove;
- Reaching over hot burners and pots can cause burns;
- Roll up your sleeves or wear a short sleeved shirt;
- Keep pot lids close to the stove while you cook;
- If there is a small fire you can slide lids onto pots and turn off burners to put it out. Water and grease don’t mix.
- Keep your eye on the pot. Don't let TV distract you. Use a timer to remind you when cooking.
- Running late? Don't let the bustle distract you. Always stay alert when cooking.
- Drink responsibly when cooking. Alcohol is a factor in many home fires.

Heating Your Home Safely

- Keep anything that can burn at least one meter (3 ft.) away from furnaces, baseboard heaters, woodstoves and fireplaces;
- Make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms outside sleeping areas in your home;
- Get regular maintenance on your heating equipment from a qualified professional;
- Turn off portable heaters every time you leave the room and when you go to bed;
- Put ashes into a metal bucked far from combustible materials to cool down;
- It can take three days for ashes to cool completely;
- Maintain chimneys to make sure there are no blockages.

Using Candles Safely

- Always stay in the room when candles are burning, put out the flame every time you leave the room or go to bed;
- In a power outage use battery powered lanterns or battery powered candles to reduce the risk of fire;
- Keep candles away from anything that can burn such as furniture or curtains;
- Keep candles away from pets;
- Keep candles in sturdy candle holders that won't tip or burn.

Clearing Fire Hydrants

- Keep fire hydrants visible and accessible;
- Keep grass and vegetation away from fire hydrants;
- In winter make sure there is one meter (3 feet) of clear space around fire hydrants and clear paths to reach fire hydrants.

Lithium-ion Battery Safety

We encourage all Woodstock residents to be safe when using devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. This could include many portable consumer electronics, smart phones, laptops, electronic toys, eBikes, eMobility devices, electric vehicles and others. In normal applications, lithium-ion batteries are safe, but if damaged or overheated, they can cause fires.

Follow these safety tips:

- Do not charge a device under pillows, on beds, couches, or anywhere that would trap heat generated from charging the device;
- Charge on a hard surface, with sufficient airflow around the device;
- Never charge on or near flammable items;
- Unplug devices when fully charged to avoid overheating;
- Store your battery at room temperature;
- Check device cords for wear and tear, and replace if they are damaged or frayed;
- Use only the charging cord that came with the device;
- Purchase and use devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory, all equipment must have a Canadian certification mark: CSA, cUL, cETL;
- Don't modify or tamper with a battery. Don't use if showing signs of damage like swelling or overheating.

For more information, please visit the following websites:

1. Government of Canada Lithium-ion batteries page: https://www.canada.ca/en/battery-safety
2. Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs Lithium-ion battery concerns: https://cafc.ca/page/green-technology
3. Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council’s Charged for Life page: https://www.chargedforlife.ca/

Pull the Plug on Electrical Fires

• Avoid running cords under rugs which can damage the cord and cause a fire.

• Avoid overloading a circuit with "octopus outlets". If additional outlets or circuits are required, have them installed by a licensed electrician.

• Extension cords should be used only as a temporary connection. If permanent wiring is required, have additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician. Extension cords should not be linked together—use an extension cord that is long enough to do the job.

• Air conditioners and other heavy appliances should be plugged directly into an outlet.

• Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) should be installed 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. A damaged cord can expose wires and result in a potential shock or fire hazard.

• Keep the area around circuit breakers and electrical meters clear and clean.

• Bathroom and laundry room exhaust fans are another common source of electrical fires. Remove the cover and dust the fan. After removing the dust, examine the fan for signs of overheating such as discolouration or melting of plastic components around the motor. If you detect any signs of overheating, stop using the fan immediately and call a professional to replace it.

• If you suspect a fault with an electrical outlet, wiring or appliances, contact a qualified electrical contractor. For more information visit Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) by calling 1-877-372-7233 or visit https://esasafe.com/faq/.

Fireworks Bylaw Ban Information

As of January 1, 2024 consumer fireworks ARE NOT ALLOWED to be sold or discharged in Woodstock as outlined in Bylaw #0802.

Prohibited “Consumer Fireworks” in the City of Woodstock are low-hazard fireworks that are generally used for recreation and are classified as Type F.1 explosives under the Act such as, but not limited to, roman candles, sparklers, flying lanterns, barrages, cakes, comets, mines, missiles, skyrockets, fountains, wheels, ground spinners, burning schoolhouses, and flying ghosts.

Rationale for the Fireworks Ban:

- to mitigate the risk of fires, damage to property and injury to persons

- to reduce debris and air pollution

- to reduce excessive noise

- to prevent distress to animals, pets, wildlife, and people with noise sensitivities

Every Person who contravenes any provision of Bylaw #0802 is guilty of an offence, and upon conviction is liable to a fine or penalty as provided in the Provincial Offences Act. Here is a summary of fines:

Did use, set off, or discharge consumer fireworks: $400.00 + VFS total of $490.00

Did cause/permit consumer fireworks to be used set off, or discharged: $400.00 + VFS total of $490.00

Did sell, offer for sale, display, or distribute consumer fireworks: $1000.00 + VFS total of $1,130.00

Professional Fireworks Display Events must be in conformance with Bylaw #0804. If you would like to host a high-hazard fireworks display event, you must submit an application to the Woodstock Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division, noting particulars of the event and provide proof of liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000. This application is reviewed and authorization for the fireworks display event is granted based on criteria set out in Bylaw #0804.

In addition you should have a Home Fire Escape Plan. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year. Have a fire drill in your home. Appoint someone to be a monitor and have everyone participate. Use our free fire escape grid to draw a floor plan of your home. Show all doors and windows and two ways out of every room. Mark the meeting place outside your home.

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