Fire Prevention and Public Education

Halloween Safety

This Halloween Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services would like to remind residents of these safety tips:

• Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters
• Use a battery-operated candle or glow-stick in jack-olanterns. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside jack-olanterns, use long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards
• Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes
• When the Gould’s and goblins are in search of a trick or a treat, be mindful of traffic. Look both ways and wear reflective colours in coordination with their costume.

Thanksgiving Safety

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving. Kids love to be involved in holiday preparations. Safety in the kitchen is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and people at home. Follow these tips for a fire safe Thanksgiving:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food, and stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns
• Keep knives out of the reach of children
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child
• Leaves are a decorative part of Thanksgiving. Remember, they can be slippery to walk on and leaves can not be burned in the Municipality of Port Hope

RV and Cottage Safety 

The cooler weather is upon us and this fall Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services wants everyone to remember these tips as you start to close your RV or Cottage for the winter:

• Install smoke alarms in your cottage on every storey and outside all sleeping areas
• Make sure your RV has a smoke alarm, and a propane detector
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm in your cottage or RV
• Test existing smoke alarms before closing the cottage or RV. Cold temperatures can affect battery performance
• Develop and practice a fire escape plan to ensure everyone knows what to do if the smoke alarm sounds. Help may be a lot further away than at home

Back to School Safety  

The time of year has come when students are returning to school. Students of all ages should follow these fire safety tips at home or in their apartments/dorms: 

• Have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area, and test them monthly. Interconnected smoke alarms are recommended so when one alarms, they all do.
• Look for housing that is fully sprinklered and has an alarm system installed. 
• Have and practice a home escape plan. Plan two ways out of every room and have one meeting place outdoors like a tree or neighbour's house where you can call 9-1-1. Never re-enter a burning building.
• When cooking always ensure you are alert and never leave cooking unattended. Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles such as oven mitts, towels, packaging, and curtains.
• Extension cords should only be used as a temporary wiring. Extension cords should not be linked together – use an extension cord that is long enough to do the job. Check cords for damage such as fraying or nicks. A damaged cord can expose wires and result in a possible shock or fire hazard and avoid running cords under rugs, which can damage the cord and cause a fire.
• When burning candles never leave them unattended and blow them out when you leave a room or go to sleep. Ensure they are placed away from anything that can burn.