Fire Prevention Week from October, 5 to 11, 2025

The theme of Fire Prevention Week is “You are the first responsible!“. Because nearly half of all residential fires are caused by human distraction or error.

Every year in Quebec, fires account for an average of :

• 4,951 houses damaged (13 houses every day);
• 308 people injured;
• 27,000 people evacuated.

Improper use of electrical appliances and lack of maintenance of your installations can cause a fire. Electrical appliances and electrical distribution equipment are the source of heat in fires in more than 23% of damaged residential buildings. Among fire victims, 67% are over the age of 60. If you are a senior citizen or a relative of a senior citizen, be sure to be especially vigilant.

Knowing and adopting safe behaviors helps improve safety for all!

Electrical appliances

Ensure that your electrical appliances are certified (e.g., CSA/ULC).
To find out if an electrical product is approved, check for a seal of approval or certification. This seal indicates that the product has been tested according to Canadian standards and is certified as safe.

Examples:

Avoid electrical appliances that are not certified or certified outside of Canada, as they may be of inferior quality. Such appliances are likely to cause a fire if they malfunction.
Learn more about electrical appliance certification. (in French only)

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, particularly regarding usage time and minimum clearance requirements.
Never modify an electrical appliance or equipment.
Replace any appliance that is damaged, worn out, or does not comply with current standards and regulations.
Learn more about electrical appliances (in French only)

Use extension cords with built-in circuit breakers certified by a recognized organization (e.g., ULC, CSA).
Extension cords are temporary solutions. If you need them permanently, have additional outlets installed by a master electrician.
If the power cord on your extension cord is damaged or gives off excessive heat, stop using it immediately and take it to a recycling center.
Learn more about extension cords.

Proper use of rechargeable devices

Many of the items you use every day are rechargeable:

• cell phone;
• laptop and tablet;
• smartwatch;
• robot (e.g. robot vacuum cleaner);
• electric bikes and scooters;
• vaping equipment;
• cordless drill, etc.

To prevent fire when using rechargeable devices :

• Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow them at all times.
• Respect the maximum charging time (e.g. by using a timer).
• Use the charger supplied with the device, or an approved model.
• Avoid exposing the charger to water, heat or extreme cold.
• Do not modify or tamper with the charger.
• Regularly check the charger for damage.
• Dispose of batteries at a depot or ecocenter. Never put them in the garbage or recycling bin, as they could start a fire if crushed by equipment.

Cooking in complete safety

To prevent a kitchen fire:

• Avoid distractions (phone, tablet, laptop, TV).
• Always keep the saucepan lid within easy reach, and use a timer to calculate cooking time.
• Never heat oil in a pot to fry food. Use a deep fryer.
• Never place combustible objects on top of the stove or in the oven.
• Do not wear loose clothing when cooking.
• When using the stove or barbecue, delegate other responsibilities to another person to assist you.
• Before leaving the kitchen, make sure all cooking appliances are securely closed.

Functional smoke and gas alarms

At all times, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (if required) are working:

 During the year, if your horn emits an intermittent beeping sound , replace the batteries.
 Choose long-life batteries such as lithium, or use rechargeable batteries only if recommended by the device manufacturer.
 Remember to replace the batteries in your alarms when you move into a new home, and never paint them.
 As smoke alarms have a limited lifespan, you should replace them every 10 years.

A little history

Fire Prevention Week always takes place at the beginning of October, during the entire week that includes October 9, in both the United States and Canada. This commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of October 9, 1871, which left 250 people dead, 100,000 homeless, and 17,400 buildings destroyed. In Quebec, the first Fire Prevention Week was held in 1990.