Fire Safety

 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.

• - 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. 

• - 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.

• - 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.

• - 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.

Private fireworks display:

Private fireworks displays are permitted on approved Holidays known as Victoria Day, Canada Day & Diwali in accordance with the safety provisions outlined in Bylaw #0802 between dusk and 11:00 pm.

Public fireworks display:

Use of fireworks is permitted on private property only! NOT in public places such as city parks, playgrounds, basketball (sports) courts, sidewalks, streets and other public spaces.

Violations of the Fireworks Bylaw can result in FINES of up to $300, for discharging on public square or place where not approved.

Persons who wish to host a public fireworks display 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 is granted based on criteria set out in Bylaw #0804.

Sale of fireworks:

The sale of fireworks must conform to Article 6 of the Fireworks Bylaw #0802. Completed Fireworks Vendor Application must be submitted to Fire Hall #1 located at 1203 Parkinson Road in Woodstock, no later than 45 days prior to approved Holiday(s).

Fireworks safety tips:

• - People under eighteen years of age who use fireworks must be supervised by an adult.
• - Never try to light a firework or hold a lit firework in your hand.
• - Choose a wide, clear site away from all obstacles. Refer to safety instructions on the fireworks label for minimum distances from spectators. Recommend that there be a distance of 10 meters or 35 feet away from buildings.
• - Bury halfway fireworks that do not have a standing base unless the labelling on the firework indicates otherwise. Set them at a 10-degree angle, pointing away from people.
• - Keep water nearby: Dispose of used fireworks (including debris) in a pail of water.
• - Adults setting off fireworks should not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• - Do not fire in windy conditions.
• - Do not smoke while setting off fireworks.
• - Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.
• - Keep sparklers away from children. As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, it should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury.
• - Wait at least 30 minutes before approaching a firework that did not go off. Never try to relight a fireworks that did not go off. Never try to fix a firework that is defective.
• - Keep fireworks in a cool, dry, ventilated place, away from children.
• - For discharge displays for groups over 20 people in attendance a permit must be obtained from the Woodstock Fire Department.
• - Fireworks can only be discharged between dusk and 11:00 pm on approved Holidays known as Victoria Day, Canada Day & Diwali.