The best way to reduce the number of fires is to learn about fire safety. Educate yourself and help us keep LaSalle safe.

After a Fire

A house fire is devastating. After a fire you will need to assess the damage and start to salvage, repair and restore your personal belongings. The emotional trauma and destruction a fire leaves behind is not easily forgotten. 

Contact Your Insurance Provider

  • Major insurance companies have 24-hour hotlines.

  • Ask your insurance company to recommend at least three fire restoration companies.

  • Find out what your insurance plan covers and what may be subject to further discussion. Get all this in writing as soon as possible.

  • Document any disputed items that are supposedly not covered.

Your Responsibilities

  • Review this guide for basic steps - A Guide to Fire Recovery - Canadian Red Cross

  • Notifying all affected parties including the financial institution that hold your mortgage.

  • Minimizing secondary damage by hiring a company that specializes in fire restoration.

  • Knowing what your insurance will cover and what you will have to pay for yourself.

Apartment Building / Condominium Safety Tips

The law requires that every apartment building / condo have certain fire safety features. Ask your building manager to tell you about the fire safety features in your building. Then you should plan what you will do if there is a fire.

  • Do you have working smoke alarms in your apartment/condominium? Your first line of defense in surviving a fire is a working smoke alarm. Your apartment should have a smoke alarm outside the sleeping rooms and at least one alarm on each level of your unit. You should test your smoke alarms every month. Report non-working smoke alarms to the building manager.

  • Do you know how to protect yourself from smoke? Remember, most people die from smoke, not fire.

  • Do you know how you are going to escape from your building if there is a fire? Most buildings have at least two exit stairways. Find out where these are and practice using them.

  • If you are unable to use stairs in an emergency, have you told your building manager that you will need help? Your apartment number can be added to the fire safety plan. Firefighters will know that you may need to be rescued.

  • Do you know where the fire alarms are on your floor, and how to pull them? You will have to use the fire alarm if you discover a fire on your floor.

  • Have you arranged a place outside the building where you will meet after you leave? Having a meeting place ensures everyone got out safely. Make sure everyone knows where your meeting place is and remember…Once you are out, stay out! Don’t go back in for anything!

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, you should get the information you need by speaking to your building manager.

Disabilities and Fire Safety

The risks during a fire are often greater for people with physical, mental or sensory disabilities.  Identifying an individual’s risk factors helps avoid those dangers - Emergency Management Ontario’s - Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities / Special Needs ManualHow to Stay Safe:

  • Get a smoke alarm suited to your needs

  • Live on the ground floor near an exit if possible

  • Never use elevators in an emergency

  • Know at least two exits from every room

  • If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure you get through the doorways

  • Understand ways of protecting yourself within a room such as sealing cracks around doors, staying near the floor out of smoke and using windows to ventilate and signal from

  • If you do smoke, protect your clothing with a flame retardant smokers pad.  Don't ever smoke when you are sleepy or taking a medication that may cause drowsiness

  • Speak to your family members, building manager, or neighbours about your fire safety plan and practice it with them

  • Keep a phone near your bed and know how to access the 911 system especially through TTY if you are hearing impaired

Flammable Liquid & Gas

Gasoline Safety Tips:

  • Store in small quantities in approved containers.

  • Never store gasoline in glass or plastic containers, or in a metal can with any plastic parts.

  • Never store gasoline in your home or in reach of children.

  • Never carry gasoline in the trunk of your automobile.

  • Always fill lawnmowers, snow blowers, etc., in a well ventilated area outside your home.

  • Move away from the fueling to start the motor, cool the engine before refueling. 

  • Don't smoke when you use gasoline or other flammable liquids.

  • If you use a flammable liquid, be sure to have a fire extinguisher for "B" type fires nearby.

  • Even if you have an extinguisher, it may not be safe to use it. Do not try to use water to put out a gasoline fire.  Get everyone away from the fire and call 9-1-1.

  • Never siphon by mouth.

Propane Safety Tips:                                           

  • Propane cylinders must be re-qualified for continued service every ten years.

  • Cylinders should never be more than 75 per cent full.

  • The cylinder must have a regulator with a vent opening that points downwards, so moisture can't build up inside it. If this isn't possible, cover the regulator to keep rain out.

  • Make sure cylinders are safe from tipping over when in use or when transporting.

  • Never transport a cylinder in a closed trunk, or within a small, closed vehicle. In a car, keep a window open in case there is a leak.

  • Never store a cylinder for a season inside a vehicle or any building, including a garage.

  • Use soapy water to test valves and connections for leaks. Bubbles indicate a leak - fix this immediately!

Home Fire Safety Tips

  • Make sure you have working smoke alarms.

  • Sleep with bedroom doors closed and make sure everyone can hear the alarms.

  • Feel the door before opening it.  If it is hot, don't open it!  Use your second escape route.

  • If your door feels cool, open it just a crack to check for smoke.  If there is none, leave via your fire escape plan route.

  • Remember to crawl low and keep your head down.  Cleaner air is nearer to the ground.

  • When following your escape route, be sure to close doors behind you.

  • If your clothes catch fire, STOP where you are.  DROP to the ground and ROLL to put out the flames.  DO NOT RUN.  Running will only increase the flames.

  • Teach small children never to hide under beds or in closets.  Bring your children to one of our fire stations to see the equipment and protective gear firefighters use, so that they won't be frightened of firefighters during a rescue.

  • Call 9-1-1 when there is an emergency.  If you're not sure, it's better to call than wait.

  • Never re-enter a burning house. 

  • Meet the fire trucks and tell firefighters whether or not everyone is out of the house and accounted for.