Fire Safety

Fire safety and fire prevention saves both lives and property. Know the dangers when you see them and recognize when you need to be aware of fire safety precautions in St. Catharines.

12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety

St. Catharines Fire Services launches the 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety campaign on Dec. 12, with tips to ensure you and your loved ones have a safe and happy festive season.

The first day of the 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety starts with a reminder to use outdoor-rated LED lights and discard any damaged light strings to avoid a potential fire.

The 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety wraps up Dec. 23 with the reminder that Lithium-Ion batteries in many holiday gifts could pose a fire risk. Stay safe; don’t overcharge batteries, use mismatched chargers, homemade batteries, or after-market replacement batteries.

Fire Safety St. Catharines: Quick Facts - Holiday Safety

Take a look at our 12 Days of Holiday Home Safety campaign and accompanying tips:

As the holiday season gets into high gear, St. Catharines Fire Services is reminding everyone about the importance of fire safety as residents and property owners get together with friends and family to celebrate.

St. Catharines Fire Services join others municipal fire services across Ontario in its promotion of the Ontario Fire Marshal’s 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety campaign, which offers a different fire safety tip each day from Dec. 12 to Dec. 23.

Day 1: Holiday Lights

It’s Day 1 of our 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety campaign and tips. Use outdoor-rated LED lights and hang with clips. Discard any damaged light strings; an electrical fire is a sure bet for a lousy holiday. Keep the holidays safe with working smoke alarms!

Day 2: Tree Watering

Water your tree daily to reduce the risk of a dried-out tree and a potential fire. Keep heat sources, including furnace vents and non-LED lights, away from your tree. The best gifts under that tree are working smoke alarms in your home!

Day 3: Candles and Decorations

Holiday decorations and burning candles pose a fire hazard. Use battery-powered candles, keep candles away from pets and children, put candles in sturdy containers and always blow them out when you leave the room.

Day 4: Smoke Alarms

Most fatal fires occur during the holidays. Working smoke alarms buy time and save lives. Ontario law requires a working smoke alarm on every home floor and outside sleeping areas. Test your smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries annually.

Day 5: Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The importance of working carbon monoxide alarms cannot be overstated. A reminder a carbon monoxide alarm’s four beeps can alert your family to a potential CO emergency. It’s your family’s best protection against The Silent Killer. Ensure alarms are working.

Day 6: Extension Cords

Use extension cords for short periods of time. If you need more power, call a licensed electrician to install more outlets. Don’t overload a circuit, and never run cords under a rug. Plug into holiday fire safety this year with working smoke alarms!

Day 7: Kids in the Kitchen

If kids want to get in the spirit of the season with some holiday baking, ensure they’re supervised by an adult. Don’t leave the oven unattended. Safety first, cookies second! Make your holidays cheerful and sound — test your smoke alarms year-round!

Day 8: Home Fire Escape Plans

Plan and practice a home fire escape plan with your loved ones. It could save their lives. Make the holidays happy with working smoke alarms and a plan to get out safely.

Day 9: Cooking

While holiday preparations may be hurried, practice fire prevention by not rushing in the kitchen. Be mindful when cooking and never leave the kitchen while using the stove. A working smoke alarm is your best ingredient to a happy holiday season!

Day 10: Heating Sources

Practice fire safety if using space heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces. Keep at least one metre (three feet) distance between your heat source and combustibles, like paper and fabrics.

Day 11: Smoking

A reminder to be smoking safe this holiday season. Smoke only outdoors. Never flick your butt. A lit butt might be the difference between a holiday to remember and a holiday you’ll never forget.

Day 12: Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-Ion batteries in many holiday gifts could pose a fire risk. Stay safe; don’t overcharge batteries, use mismatched chargers, homemade batteries, or after-market replacement batteries. Ensure a happy holiday with working smoke and CO alarms!

Fire Safety Tips

Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are used to power many kinds of devices, including smart phones, laptops, e-scooters, e-bikes, toys and cars.

Lithium-ion batteries store a large amount of energy in a small amount of space. They can pose potential fire safety risk if not used properly.

Improper charging and physical mistreatment are some of the primary factors that can cause these batteries to explode and catch fire quickly.

Be aware of the hazards when using any devices powered by lithium-ion batteries

Purchase and use devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory such as UL/ULC
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for charging and storage of devices
Only use batteries and charging cords that are designed and approved by the manufacturer for the device
Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch
Avoid overcharging devices. Unplug the battery when it reaches a 100 percent charge
Do not place batteries in direct sunlight or hot vehicles
Store lithium-ion batteries away from anything that can catch fire
Avoid crushing, bending or dropping a device or charger
Stop using the battery if you notice any of the following: odour, change in colour, change in shape, too much heat, leaking, or noise coming from the battery. Follow your home escape plan and call 911 once safely outside
Keep batteries at room temperature when possible. Do not charge them at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) or above 40 degrees Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit).

Battery Disposal

Batteries are household hazardous waste.
Do not place batteries in a garbage Bin, Blue Bin or Green Bin
Place batteries in a clear plastic bag or seal the terminals with non-conductive tape (e.g. clear packing or electrical)
Used batteries can be taken to your local recycling depot or nearby store found on the Niagara Region Website

Fire safety plans

If you are the owner of a building, property or business in Ontario, be aware of your requirements and duties under the Ontario Fire Code. One of these requirements is to ensure that you have an approved fire safety plan for your property and its occupants.

Starting Jan. 1, 2023, as per the City's 2024 - 2026 Rates and Fees By-Law, a payment of $206.15 will be required upon submittal of a Fire Safety Plan.

Payment can be through cheque or money order only, made payable to the City of St. Catharines. You can submit your fee along with your application by mail, or you can attend St. Catharines Fire Services, 64 Geneva Street, St. Catharines, L2R 4M7.

All Fire Safety Plan reviews after the first will be subject to the same fee of $206.15, this fee will be invoiced to the property owner.

Common fire safety plan questions

What is a fire safety plan?

A fire safety plan deals with all aspects of fire safety at a building or property. It is specific to each property and ensures that all occupants and staff are aware of what actions to take in an emergency as well and outlines the owner's roles and responsibilities in general and during an emergency.

The plan covers maintenance requirements of the building's fire and life safety features and includes information for Fire Services in the event of an emergency response at a property, such as floor plans; locations of shut offs and equipment; and contact names and numbers.

Who needs a fire safety plan?

Buildings and premises that require a fire safety plan are those that contain:

Assembly occupancies (ex. schools, daycares, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, arenas, halls, etc. with an occupant load over 30 people)
Care or care treatment occupancy
Residential occupancy with occupant load greater than 10 people (normally calculated as 2 people per bedroom)
Retirement homes
Business and personal services occupancy where occupant load exceeds 300
High hazard industrial occupancy where occupant load exceeds 25
Medium hazard industrial occupancy where occupant load exceeds 100
Low hazard industrial occupancy where occupant load exceeds 30
Buildings of 4 or more stories, including stories below grade
Rooming, boarding and lodging homes
Others as determined by the Ontario Fire Code

How do I make a fire safety plan?

There are no specific requirements regarding who may develop and submit a fire safety plan. You can develop it yourself or hire a contractor to assist you. If you don't have experience in writing a fire safety plan or in property management, we recommend you hire a contractor for assistance. View our 10-Step Process for Preparing Fire Safety Plans.

Every building or business is unique, and every plan is unique. The property owner is responsible for the plan's accuracy and implementation after approval.

What if my building is mixed use?

If you have an occupancy that meets the criteria for requiring a safety plan, the plan must be developed for the whole building. For example, a small apartment building which would not normally require a plan would need one with the addition of a 40-seat restaurant. Consider hiring a professional contractor for complex plans.

Who approves a fire safety plan?

All fire safety plans are approved by the St. Catharines Fire Chief. It must bear the signature of the Fire Chief or a delegated authority member, or it is not considered approved and you are in contravention of the Ontario Fire Code.

How do I obtain approval for the plan?

Submit your fire safety plan by email or via hard copy to our Fire Prevention Office or our Fire Services headquarters at 64 Geneva St., St. Catharines for review during normal business hours.

The plan will be reviewed. If there are any issues with the plan, they will be identified by our staff and sent back to you. After correcting these concerns, submit your plan for final approval. Plans requiring more than two reviews may be subject to additional fees.

How often do I need to develop a fire safety plan?

Your fire safety plan must be current, ensuring it reflects all conditions in the building. You must review the plan at least once every 12 months. In addition to annual review, you should update it whenever there is a change in contacts, occupancies, building renovations or construction or code changes that affect the plan.

These changes must be submitted to the Fire Chief. Failure to maintain your fire safety plan means that the plan in place is revoked and you would need to develop a new plan for review and approval.

What is a fire safety plan box?

Once approved, your fire safety plan must be stored in an approved location in the building to be used by firefighters in an emergency. This location is generally in a fire safety plan box, located at the fire alarm panel or annunciator.

When there is no fire alarm system, the primary entrance used by Fire Services is acceptable. The box must be secured with a padlock and clearly identified with the legible label of "FIRE SAFETY PLAN". It must be at a height that is easily accessible and made to prevent unauthorized access.

We do not accept keys for the padlock, however if you have an approved Fire Services key box, the key can be placed inside. Most fire equipment suppliers and servicing companies can help you with a box purchase.

What do I do after the plan is approved?

Post your emergency procedures on each floor area of the building. This may include at each exit, manual fire alarm pull station or elevator. Residential tenants should be provided with a copy of the hazards in the building and emergency procedures. Staff must be provided with training on their roles and responsibilities.

Ensure that all maintenance requirements are performed, and written records of tests and corrective measures are maintained. The fire safety plan is a legal document that the owner must follow.

Once approved the plane will need to be placed in the building's fire safety plan box. You should also make additional copies for your own use.

I am buying a building with a current fire safety plan. What should I do?

The plan must be reviewed whenever there is a change of ownership. Immediately upon taking possession, review your plan to ensure that it is on-site, located in the fire safety plan box and has an approval signature on the cover.

Be aware of all your responsibilities and make any necessary changes, including emergency contact information. Submit the changes to the Fire Prevention Office for review. As the new owner, you are responsible for following the procedures as outlined in the plan. Keep a record of any changes made, the date submitted to Fire Prevention and the date the changes were approved for your records.

Home fire escape plans

If you own or occupy a residential home, learn how to create a home fire escape plan to ensure you know what to do in the event of a fire or emergency.

Family activities

You can also view our Home Escape Plan Family Activity to learn more and practice escape plans with children and youth.

Our Junior Fire Chiefs Activity Booklet and Senior Fire Chiefs Activity Booklet provide fun activities for children and youth learning about fire prevention.

Smoke alarms

Discover your duties and responsibilities when installing and maintaining smoke alarms in your home and any buildings or dwellings in the city.

Carbon monoxide alarms

Discover your duties and responsibilities when installing and maintaining carbon monoxide alarms in your home and any buildings or dwellings in the city.

Careless smoking

Careless smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires in Ontario. If you or someone you know smokes, please be aware of these fire prevention tips:

Never smoke in bed, or when tired
Alcohol is a factor in many smoking-related fires. Never smoke after drinking
Never extinguish cigarettes in plant pots
We encourage smoking outside. If smoking inside, check behind chairs and cushions for cigarette butts before leaving the room or going to bed
Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every storey

Fire extinguishers

Learn more about the requirements of buildings in St. Catharines when maintaining and servicing fire extinguishers.

Kitchen safety and cooking

It's important to practice fire safety in the kitchen and when cooking.

Careless cooking is the number-one cause of home fires in Ontario and among the top-three causes in St. Catharines. It's easy to get distracted and step away from your stove but leaving your cooking unattended is dangerous. Both gas and electric stoves can cause fires, as well as toasters, toaster ovens and any other electrical appliance that can overheat.

Follow these easy prevention tips to stay safe and learn more about cooking safety and fire prevention:

Always be alert. Being very tired or under the influence can impair your judgement and increase the likelihood of leaving your cooking unattended.
Keep anything combustible away from the stove, including oven mitts, paper towels, cooking utensils and dish cloths.
Keep a proper fitting lid nearby. If a pot catches fire, carefully slide the lid over the pot and turn off the stove. Do not move the pot until it's completely cool. Don't try to put out grease or electrical fires with water.
Loose-fitting clothes can be a hazard. Roll up your sleeves or wear short sleeves when cooking. If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop and roll.
Always follow the safety instructions listed with your electrical appliance.
Turn all pot handles toward the centre of the stove. Someone may bump into an overhanging handle and cause serious burns when the contents spill.
Use caution when handling hot objects. Use potholders when moving hot pots, instead of rags that could catch fire.
Keep cooking appliances free of food crumbs and scraps.
Clean your stove top, oven and toaster regularly to prevent leftover pieces of food from catching fire.
Use caution when cleaning your appliances. Unplug any small electrical appliances and follow cleaning instructions closely to avoid electrocution.
Keep electrical appliances away from water and fire. Plug in appliances and keep cords as far away as possible from water hazards like the sink, or fire hazards, such as the stove top.
If you have a gas stove and smell gas, turn off all burners, open windows for ventilation, evacuate everyone from the residence and call your gas company. For emergency assistance, call 9-1-1.
Be cautious when re-lighting pilot lights. Make sure the room is well-ventilated and use long-stemmed matches or lighters.
Never use a stove to heat a room.

Fire Safety St. Catharines: Quick Facts - Cooking

Electrical safety

Electrical safety is another common, leading fire concern. Practice these fire prevention tips to stay safe:

Keep your laptop cool and off flammable materials while always paying attention.
Avoid running cords under rugs or items that are combustible or that can cause cords damage.
Never overload a circuit with multiple external outlets.
Never link extension cords together. Be sure to use one long enough for the job.
Plug in air conditioners and other heavy appliances directly into an outlet and not an extension cord.

Candle safety

Practice these fire prevention tips around candles to stay safe:

Place candles away from anything that could catch fire.
Never leave burning candles unattended.
Burn candles only when a responsible adult is overseeing the flame.
Put candles in sturdy holders on a stable surface away from drafts, curtains, children and pets.
Snuff candles out before leaving the room or going to sleep.

Fireworks

Residents in St. Catharines may light consumer fireworks on private property on Victoria Day, Canada Day and Diwali, including the day before and after the date of the holiday each year. View more information on the use of fireworks in St. Catharines with our Fireworks By-law.

Sale of consumer fireworks

Only licensed businesses which have a City Consumer Fireworks Sales Permit may sell fireworks in St. Catharines on Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and the seven days leading up to these holidays.

Report an issue

You can report any unsafe or inappropriate use of fireworks or vendors selling fireworks without a permit by calling St. Catharines Fire Services at 905.684.4311.

Using fireworks safely

The best way to stay safe is to attend public fireworks displays and leave their use to the professionals. If you still want to use fireworks at home, please keep in mind the following safety tips:

Purchase your fireworks from a reliable source.
Always read and follow the instructions.
Only adults 18 and older may discharge fireworks.
Use fireworks outdoors only.
Always have water nearby, such as a garden hose or bucket.
Never experiment to create your own fireworks.
Only light one firework at a time.
Never re-light a "dud" firework. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then soak it in a bucket of water.
Never give fireworks to small children.
Dispose of used fireworks properly by soaking them in water and placing them in the garbage.
Never throw or point fireworks at others.
Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
The fireworks lighter should always wear eye protection, never place any part of their body overtop of the firework and back up a minimum of six feet after lighting.

Fascination with fire at an early age

If your child is interested in fire-play or setting fires, you are not alone. Many children have a fascination with fire.

Most children play with fire out of curiosity. While their curiosity is natural, fire-play can be extremely dangerous, as fire is the leading cause of death among children in the home. Children may also set fires when acting out their anger or frustration, or as a call for help. Older children may set fires due to peer pressure or gang activity. These fires can lead to injury or death to themselves or others.

The Arson Prevention Program for Children

The St. Catharines Fire Service administers The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C), which is designed to assist children and youth when they have fascinations or habits around fire-play and fire setting through trained intervention techniques provided by staff.

TAPP-C brings together Fire Services with counselling professionals to help families effectively deal with children and youth fire-play. We educate children and families about the dangers of fire and assist in the development of positive fire safety practices. Counselling professionals assess the risk of continued fire involvement and help deal with issues that may contribute to the fire-play behaviour.

Getting help

If you suspect a problem, would like more information or are seeking help with your child's or youth's fire-play habits, contact our Fire Prevention Division at 905.688.5601 ext. 4224. Our TPACC-C program is free of charge and available to children from ages 2 to 17.

What is fire play?

Fire-play involves:

Playing with matches or lighters
Playing with the toaster, stove or furnace
Burning items, such as toys, paper or garbage
Setting fire to destroy something or hurt someone

The risks

Fire-play and fire setting presents a large risk to children, their families and the community. It can be a sign of other problems in a child's life and can start at any age. Fire-play can start small and progress to larger and more serious issues that threaten safety. It's important to address any fire involvement immediately.

Fire is the leading cause of death at home for children under 6. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that two out of every five children killed in home fires result from fires started by themselves or other young children. More than one out of eight fatal structure fires are started by a child under the age of 15.

What to watch for

If you notice any of the following, your child or youth may be involved in fire-play:

Matches or lighters go missing
Matches or lighters are found among your child's belongings
There are burn marks on household items
Your child is extremely interested in fire

Keeping your child safe from fire

Help protect your child or youth and family by following these fire safety tips:

Make sure that young children are supervised at all times
Keep matches and lighters locked away, where children cannot access them
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas and test them regularly
Develop and practice a home fire escape plan