Are you aware that Stouffville Fire & Emergency Services offers complimentary home fire safety assessments? Secure your home's safety by scheduling an appointment today. Our assessments ensure the effectiveness of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and help you establish a reliable home escape plan.

This summer, our dedicated firefighters will be actively engaging with the Stouffville community, directly at your doorstep! We're distributing informative cards, sharing vital home fire safety tips, and offering on-the-spot free assessments to enhance your home's safety.

According to the Ontario Fire Code, you must install smoke alarms on every floor of your home. Visit the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs for information about:

• • Buying a smoke alarm
  • Maintaining a smoke alarm
  • Installing a smoke alarm

Effective January 1, 2026, laws have changed for carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in residential properties. According to the Ontario Fire Code, every residential building that has a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace, an attached storage garage, or heating air supplied by a fuel-burning appliance located outside of the home, a carbon monoxide alarm must be installed outside all sleeping areas and on every level of your home.

Protect your family from CO poisoning by ensuring that:

• • all fuel-burning appliances, ventilation systems and chimneys in your home are cleaned and serviced regularly
  • outside furnace and hot water tank vents are not blocked
  • no outdoor fuel-burning appliances (barbecue, lawn mower etc.) are turned on indoors in a confined space
  • your garage entrance, doors and window are sealed so that no fuel can seep into your home

Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms, such as:

• • headaches
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • burning eye
  • confusion
  • drowsiness
  • loss of consciousness

If you experience flu-like symptoms at home, but feel better when you leave, this may indicate that you have a CO leak inside your home.

If you are a property owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that the building you rent meets all laws set out in the Ontario Fire Code. This includes working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

If you are a tenant and you don't have a working smoke or carbon monoxide alarm in your unit, contact your landlord immediately. It is your responsibility to notify your property owner if the smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarm isn't working.

Preparation:
Design and rehearse your escape plan with all household members.

Exits:
Ensure two exit strategies for each room.

Meeting Point:
Select a safe external gathering spot.

Post-Escape:
Never re-enter a burning building. Call 911 and await the fire department outside.

Ready for a visit from the Stouffville Firefighters? Contact us at (905) 640-9595 or email  fire.prevention@townofws.ca to arrange your free home fire safety assessment.