Prepare Your Home For House Fire Prevention

House Fires Prevention

A good house fire prevention strategy includes long-term and emergency planning.

Long-term Planning

Home fire safety includes home improvements, safety equipment and lifestyle habits. Some of these updates and upgrades are simple DIY tasks, while others may require professional assistance.

TIP: You don’t have to tackle your house fire prevention action list all at once. Prioritize upgrades based on need and budget.

Home Protection Products

Gear up with essential equipment and supplies to both reduce the risk of house fires and react swiftly if an emergency does arise.

TIP: Educate all household members on fire prevention, fire extinguisher use and calling 911 in an emergency. Prepare a household fire escape plan and practice it.

Emergency Preparedness

Here’s How to React to Common Kitchen Fires

Kitchen fires are one of the most common causes of house fires. They typically start when food, oil or grease ignite. In many cases, you have moments to react before it gets out of hand. Here’s what you need to know if a fire starts in your kitchen.

TIP: Keep a kitchen or multi-purpose fire extinguisher in your kitchen at all times. Make sure everyone in your home knows how to use it and that it’s stored within easy reach.

Fire Extinguishers 101

Here’s How to Buy the Right Fire Extinguishers for Your Home

TIP: Fire extinguishing spray is an easy-to-use and effective fire safety device that works on paper, fabric, wood, cooking oil and electrical fires. It’s super-easy to use: Just aim the can and spray.

Emergency Kit Essentials

Here’s What You’ll Need For Up to 3 Days Away from Home

Create Your Emergency Kit

If you need to evacuate, you may not have time to gather essential items. Plan ahead and keep everything together in a large bin, backpack or hockey bag, so you can quickly load your vehicle and head out. Here are some of the essential things you can add to your kit.

House Fires Prevention

A good house fire prevention strategy includes long-term and emergency planning.

Long-term Planning

Home fire safety includes home improvements, safety equipment and lifestyle habits. Some of these updates and upgrades are simple DIY tasks, while others may require professional assistance.

TIP: You don’t have to tackle your house fire prevention action list all at once. Prioritize upgrades based on need and budget.

Home Protection Products

Gear up with essential equipment and supplies to both reduce the risk of house fires and react swiftly if an emergency does arise.

TIP: Educate all household members on fire prevention, fire extinguisher use and calling 911 in an emergency. Prepare a household fire escape plan and practice it.

Emergency Preparedness

Here’s How to React to Common Kitchen Fires

Kitchen fires are one of the most common causes of house fires. They typically start when food, oil or grease ignite. In many cases, you have moments to react before it gets out of hand. Here’s what you need to know if a fire starts in your kitchen.

TIP: Keep a kitchen or multi-purpose fire extinguisher in your kitchen at all times. Make sure everyone in your home knows how to use it and that it’s stored within easy reach.

Fire Extinguishers 101

Here’s How to Buy the Right Fire Extinguishers for Your Home

TIP: Fire extinguishing spray is an easy-to-use and effective fire safety device that works on paper, fabric, wood, cooking oil and electrical fires. It’s super-easy to use: Just aim the can and spray.

Emergency Kit Essentials

Here’s What You’ll Need For Up to 3 Days Away from Home

Create Your Emergency Kit

If you need to evacuate, you may not have time to gather essential items. Plan ahead and keep everything together in a large bin, backpack or hockey bag, so you can quickly load your vehicle and head out. Here are some of the essential things you can add to your kit.

House Fire Cleanup

Before attempting any cleanup, be sure local fire authorities have given the all-clear to re-enter your home. Here’s how to deal with the aftermath of a house fire, from assessment and damage control, to cleaning and repairs.

Returning Home After a House Fire

Here’s How to Assess & Repair Fire & Water Damage

Be cautious when returning home after a house fire. Fire and water damage can threaten the structural integrity of your home, while soot, smoke and mould can impact air quality. Here’s what to do once fire authorities say it’s safe to enter your home.

Someone airing smoke out from their window

Check off these top priority action items before starting your cleanup process:

Conduct an exterior inspection of your home: If you see damage to water, gas, electric or sewer lines, contact authorities before entering
If you see structural damage, such as foundation cracks or damaged support beams, contact a structural engineer or contractor for advice before entering
If you can safely enter (don’t force doors: if stuck, they may be supporting weight), avoid any areas marked off by safety tape; sniff for natural gas — retreat if you smell it, and contact your utility company or utility provider
Ensure all electrical, propane, plumbing and heating oil systems are off (if it is safe to do so yourself), and consult licensed professionals before using them again
Open windows and doors to promote ventilation and slow the growth of mould or mildew
For insurance purposes, list and photograph all damaged or lost items, and take photos of fire, smoke and water damage to your home

TIP: Contact your home insurance agent for immediate advice. They may be able to provide assistance with repairs and living expenses.

Safe Cleanup & Repairs

Here’s How to Clean Up After a House Fire

Before beginning your cleanup, make sure you have personal protective gear to stay safe. This includes dust masks, hard hats, goggles, safety boots, rubber gloves and long-sleeve shirts and pants.

Here’s a checklist of essential cleaning to-dos once your home is safe to enter:

Talk to a professional installer about water-logged insulation and drywall: It cannot be salvaged and will need to be replaced
Throw away any fabrics, food items and medicines that came into contact with smoke, heat, soot or water
Safely discard household cleaners, paints and other chemicals, following local guidelines on household waste
Air out machine-washable clothing outdoors for at least 24 hours, then spray with a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water. Launder with 1 cup each of vinegar and baking soda, then repeat with detergent. Repeat as needed to remove smoke odour
Wash kitchenware — such as pots, pans, dishes and flatware — with regular detergent, rinse and polish, if needed
Hire professionals to assess structural damage, tackle major renovations, and to clean and test HVAC systems
Throw out fire-, smoke- or water-damaged rugs, carpets, window coverings and furniture
Remove smoke and soot from furniture by sponging with a mild detergent and water and rinsing. Dry thoroughly in fresh air
Wash floors and walls — see below for step-by-step instructions

TIP: Take a damage inventory for insurance purposes. Don’t throw anything out without listing it, and take photos of major items like furniture, tools, etc.

Home Cleanup Products

Make your fire-, smoke- and water-damaged house a home again with these essential cleaning supplies, tools and equipment.

TIP: Before moving back into your home, be sure to get professional assurance that your house structure, electrical system, furnace, water heater and/or oil heater and appliances are approved for use.

Here’s How to Remove Soot and Smoke From Walls

Shop Cleaning Supplies

Here's How to Prepare Your Home For House Fires

House Fires Prevention

Long-term Planning

Home Protection Products

Emergency Preparedness

Here’s How to React to Common Kitchen Fires

Fire Extinguishers 101

Here’s How to Buy the Right Fire Extinguishers for Your Home

Emergency Kit Essentials

Here’s What You’ll Need For Up to 3 Days Away from Home

Create Your Emergency Kit

House Fires Prevention

Long-term Planning

Home Protection Products

Emergency Preparedness

Here’s How to React to Common Kitchen Fires

Fire Extinguishers 101

Here’s How to Buy the Right Fire Extinguishers for Your Home

Emergency Kit Essentials

Here’s What You’ll Need For Up to 3 Days Away from Home

Create Your Emergency Kit

House Fire Cleanup

Returning Home After a House Fire

Here’s How to Assess & Repair Fire & Water Damage

Safe Cleanup & Repairs

Here’s How to Clean Up After a House Fire

Home Cleanup Products

Here’s How to Remove Soot and Smoke From Walls

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