• Never leave cooking food unattended, always set a timer and bring an oven mitt as a reminder when you are momentarily distracted such as answering the phone
• Keep a fire extinguisher mounted within easy reach
• Keep dish towels/cloths away from the stove
• Have kid-free and/or pet-free zones of at least 1 metre (3 feet) around the stove and areas where hot food or hot drinks are prepared
• Turn pot handles inwards so they cannot be pulled down
• Check appliances are turned off when you’ve finished cooking
• If you’re tired, feeling disoriented and/or drowsy, don’t risk cooking and choose a readymade option.

Candles

• Consider using battery powered candles as a safer alternative
• Keep candles away from combustibles like curtains
• Keep candles in a sturdy candle holder or glass jar
• Never leave a lit candle unattended; always blow out candles before leaving the room

Wood stoves and fireplaces

• Follow the manufacturer’s directions and local building codes for installation, use, and maintenance
• Always start the fire using paper and small pieces of kindling
• Never use accelerants to start a fire
• Burn only well-seasoned wood
  • Green or unseasoned wood burns cooler than well-seasoned wood, and can cause creosote to build up at a much faster rate
• Clean the ashes out of the wood-burning stove on a regular basis
• Store ashes in a covered metal container and keep at a safe distance away from the house and any other nearby buildings

Extension cords and power bars

• Extension cords should be used only as a temporary wiring
• Avoid running cords under rugs and furniture which can damage the cord and cause a fire
• Have additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician instead of using cord splitters
• Use an extension cord/power bar that is long enough to do the job – do not link them together
• Keep electrical cords away from infants and small children
• Outlets should have protective safety covers to prevent young children from poking objects into them

Electric heaters and appliances

• Air conditioners, heaters, and other heavy appliances should be plugged directly into an outlet (not an extension cord)
• Use only electrical space heaters that have been designed for indoor use and follow manufacturer’s instructions
• Always turn off heating appliances when you leave a room
• Have heating appliances serviced annually

Charging portable electronics

• If you have electronic devices in your bedroom, mount a working smoke alarm in bedrooms to quickly alert you to trouble
• Always use the charger that came with your phone, tablet, e-cigarette or mobile device
• Replacement charger should bear a certification mark (CSA or ULC)
• Recharge batteries and electronic devices on a hard surface and in an area clear of objects
• Always ensure there is a good air circulation around the device while it is charging
• Don’t charge items on a bed, carpet, or couch where they may start a fire
• Overcharging devices can lead to battery problems so unplug them as soon as charging is completed
• Nicked, leaking, or damaged batteries should not be used and should be disposed of properly
• Avoid storing, using or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures
• Protect batteries against being damaged (crushed, punctured or immersed in water)

Smoking Materials

• Keep matches and lighters out of the sight and reach of children
• If anyone in the home smokes, smoke outside
• Dispose of cigarettes in a deep ash tray
• Never dispose of cigarettes in potted plants, garden beds, from a balcony, or from a car window