Fire Prevention

Carbon Monoxide

As of April 2015 legislation requires carbon monoxide alarms near all sleeping areas in existing homes. Carbon monoxide (CO) has been called the "silent killer". Many people never know that they have been poisoned because CO is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause serious illness or death.Why Should I Care About Carbon Monoxide? It Kills. Many Canadians die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning in their own homes, most of them while sleeping.It Injures.Hundreds of Canadians are hospitalized every year from carbon monoxide poisoning, many of whom are permanently disabled.  Everyone is at Risk - 88% of all homes have something that poses a carbon monoxide threat.

Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, toxic gas that enters the body through the lungs during the normal breathing process.  It replaces oxygen in the blood and prevents the flow of oxygen to the heart, brain and other vital organs.Where does Carbon Monoxide Come From?

Produced when carbon-based fuels are incompletely burned such as:

• Wood

• Propane

• Natural Gas

• Heating Oil

• Coal

• Kerosene

• Charcoal

• Gasoline

What Are the Main Sources of Carbon Monoxide in my Home?

Wood burning/gas stoves, gas refrigerators, gasoline engines, kerosene heaters and others.

How Can I Tell if There is a Carbon Monoxide Leak in my Home?

• Headache, nausea, burning eyes, fainting, confusion, drowsiness.

• Often mistaken for common ailments like the flu

• Symptoms improve when away from the home for a period of time

• Symptoms experienced by more than one member of the household.

• Continued exposure to higher levels may result in unconscious, brain damage and death.

• The elderly, children and people with heart or respiratory conditions may be particularly sensitive to carbon monoxide.

Environment

• Air feels stale/stuffy

• Excessive moisture on windows or walls

• Sharp penetrating odour or smell of gas when furnace or other fuel burning appliance turns on.

• Burning and pilot light flames are yellow/orange, not blue

• Pilot light on the furnace or water heater goes out

• Chalky white powder or soot build up occurs around exhaust vent or chimney.

How Can I protect Myself and my Family?

• Regularly maintained appliances that are properly ventilated should not produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide

• Have a qualified service professional inspect your fuel burning appliance(s) at least once per year.

• Have you chimney inspected and cleaned every year by a W.E.T.T. certified professional.

• Be sure your carbon monoxide alarm has been certified to the Canadian Standard Association (CSA) CAN/CGA 6.19 standard or the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034 standard.

• Install a carbon monoxide alarm in or near the sleeping area(s) of the home.

• Install the carbon monoxide alarms(s) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

What Should I Do if my Carbon Monoxide Alarm Starts Beeping?

Always react to a carbon monoxide alarm that has alarmed!  Get out of your home and contact the local fire department for assistance. To Keep Safe Please Remember: You have a responsibility to know about the dangers of carbon monoxide. Your knowledge and actions may save lives.

A carbon monoxide alarm is a good second line of defense. It is not a substitute for the proper care and maintenance of your fuel burning appliance(s).  Take the time to learn about the use of carbon monoxide alarms in your home to ensure you are using the equipment properly and effectively. Where To Install A Carbon Monoxide Alarm

The human body is most vulnerable to the effects of carbon monoxide during sleeping hours. To work properly the unit must not be blocked by furniture or draperies. Carbon Monoxide is virtually the same weight as air and therefore the alarm protects you in a high or low location.

For maximum protection, a carbon monoxide alarm should be located outside primary sleeping areas, in sleeping areas and in each level of your home.

• Detectors not only provide a life saving warning, they are the law in Ontario. Detectors should be:

  • Placed outside bedrooms and on every level.

  • Installed and maintained by building owners.

  • Tested regularly

  • Connected to continuous power supply, such as back-up battery, in case of power outage.

Where NOT to Install a CO Alarm

Some locations may interfere with the proper operation of the alarm and may cause false alarms or trouble signals.
CO alarms should not be installed in the following locations:

• Where the temperature may drop below 4.4o C (40oF) or exceed 37.8oC (100oF).

• Near paint thinner fumes or household cleaning products. Ensure proper ventilation when using these types of chemicals.

• Within 1.5m (5 feet) of any cooking or open flame appliances such as furnaces, stoves and fireplaces.

• In exhaust streams from gas engines, vents, flues or chimneys.

• Do not place in close proximity to an automobile exhaust pipe; this will damage the alarm.

Maintenance

Test your carbon monoxide alarm regularly to make sure it is operating properly. The owner’s manual should tell you how to test your alarm. Remember to check the manual for information on when to buy a new carbon monoxide alarm. See diagram below of potential sources of carbon monoxide.

Fireworks Permit

Fireworks Sales Permit

Application For Fireworks Sales Permit To Sell Consumer Fireworks From Temporary Sales Unit. Sales of fireworks in LaSalle from a temporary sales location (ie. roadside stand) requires a permit issued by the LaSalle Fire Service. Permit applications must be submitted 30 days in advance of the intended sales period.
By-law 8013 provides more information on the sale of fireworks from a temporary location in the Town of LaSalle.

Fireworks Discharge (Use) Permit 

The use of family fireworks purchased in Canada is permitted on Victoria Day, Canada Day, Fourth of July, Civic Holiday, Labour Day and the recognized holiday weekend for each holiday; as well as, New Year's Eve. Use of family fireworks is permitted from dusk till 11 p.m., on your property or with permission from the owner of the property being used. Anyone using fireworks must be over 18 years of age, handle and discharge them in a safe manner, according to manufacturers instructions, and have a fire extinguisher or other effective means of extinguishment readily available. Firecrackers and Sky lanterns (Chinese Lanterns) are NOT permitted to be used in LaSalle. For more information contact our Fire Prevention Division. 

Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week, October 9-15, 2022 - Fire won't wait. Plan your escape.

Since it began in 1922, Fire Prevention Week has taken place in early October to raise awareness of fire prevention. Join NFPA® in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW). This year’s FPW campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape™”, works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires. Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.

Home Fire Escape Planning and Practicing

It is important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different. Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will help them!

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger. Smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of the sleeping areas (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of your home. Do not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms. Choose an alarm that is listed with a testing laboratory, meaning it has met certain standards for protection. For the best protection, use combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are interconnected throughout the home. These can be installed by a qualified electrician, so that when one sounds, they all sound. This ensures you can hear the alarm no matter where in your home the alarm originates. 

The History of Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week is observed every year during the week of October 9th.  Each year, communities throughout North America observe Fire Prevention Week to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of October 9, 1871. This tragedy has taught important lessons that have shaped the way fire departments think about fire safety.  At the LaSalle Fire Service, we teach fire safety year round, and especially during Fire Prevention Week, to help prevent the devastation fire can cause. 

Smoke Alarm Video

Make sure everyone understands the warning of your smoke alarms and knows how to respond. When the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside! Call 9-1-1 from a safe location.

• Install according to the manufacturer's instructions.

• Test smoke alarms every month using the test button.

• Replace old smoke alarms, they have an expiry date.

• Replace batteries every 6 months, we recommend at Daylight Savings Time.

Kitchen Safety Video

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.

• Do you stay in the kitchen when you are cooking?

• Do you keep things that can burn away from the stove?

• Do you keep young children away from the stove?

• Do you wear tight-fitting or rolled up sleeves when you use the stove?

• Do you know what to do if you have a cooking fire?

Watch the video below to learn about fire safety in the kitchen to protect you and your family. 

Stove Top Fire Safety Video

Never throw water on a grease fire! If your pot/pan catches on fire, cover the pot by slowly sliding a lid on top of the pot/pan and shut off the burner. Ensure the fire is out before removing the lid. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Call 9-1-1 if the room is filled with smoke.

Fire Extinguisher Video

When using a fire extinguisher, remember to PASS:P - pull

A - aim

S - squeeze

S - sweep 

For information on home fire extinguishers visit Kidde Canada.

Home Fire Escape Planning

A home fire escape plan is a plan to get out of your home quickly in the event of a fire. Use an Escape Plan Grid to draw a floor plan of your home, showing two ways out of every room, if possible.

Gear Demo Video

This is what we look like when we respond to a house fire. Help us teach children not to be afraid of our gear. We are coming to your rescue!

Backyard Fire Safety Video

We want you to enjoy having a small fire but, safety is our main concern. Watch our video and read our Recreational Fire Quick Reference Sheet before you burn to ensure you are safe and in compliance. 

Sparky Kids is an interactive website with educational activities, videos, games, and apps that teach fire safety to children. Sparky School House is an educator site for teaching fire safety to preschool through grade 5.Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for daily fire safety videos created by our very own LaSalle firefighters. We would love it if you would follow along and show us your support by commenting on our posts and sharing our messaging with your family and friends!

Fire Report & Search of Records Request

Requesting a Copy of a Fire Report

• Reports are provided to solicitors and insurance companies upon request

• All requests must be made in writing to the LaSalle Fire Service

• Fee - $80 cheque made payable to LaSalle Fire Service, 1900 Normandy St, LaSalle, ON N9H 1P8

• Please note: Detailed investigation reports require a Freedom of Information request and fees may vary. For information on The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and/or to download the Freedom of Information Request form visit the Town of LaSalle website/MFIPPA

Requesting a Search of Records Report

• Reports are provided to solicitors and insurance companies upon request

• All requests must be made in writing to the LaSalle Fire Service

• Fee - $80 cheque made payable to LaSalle Fire Service, 1900 Normandy St, LaSalle, ON N9H 1P8

Inspections

Identifying hazards before they cause harm is the best way to reduce the number of fires and the damage they cause. Our fire prevention division conducts inspections of all commercial properties in the Town of LaSalle to ensure compliance with the Ontario Fire Code.

To request an inspection, please complete the electronic Inspection Request Form. 

Recreational Fires

Within the Town of LaSalle, a small outdoor fire such as a campfire is permitted when the rules of the by-law are followed. Our Recreational Fires Quick Reference Sheet provides an easy to read version of By-law 7170.  We want you to enjoy having a small fire but, safety is our main concern. For more information watch the following video created by our firefighters.

Smoke Alarms

You may have just seconds to safely escape a fire in your home. That's why smoke alarms are so important. Only working smoke alarms provide those precious seconds you need to safely escape. Remember, it's the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. LaSalle Fire Service adopted a policy (January 2017) of actively enforcing requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Failure to comply with the Ontario Fire Code will result in a ticket or a fine.

Who is Responsible for the smoke alarms in your home?

If you are a homeowner or are a landlord, it's your job to install and maintain smoke alarms. If you are a tenant of a rental property and do not have the required number of smoke alarms, contact your landlord immediately. It is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm in any way.Not following the Ontario Fire Code will result in a ticket of $360 or a fine of up to $50,000 for individuals or $100,000 for corporations.We are proud of our aggressive residential smoke alarm campaign that helps to ensure early warning in the event of a residential fire. In order to protect all residents the LaSalle Fire Service will continue to ensure each residence we attend is in compliance.

Choose the best alarm

There are two different types of smoke alarms to choose from.

Ionization Smoke Alarm uses a small amount of radioactive material to ionize the air between two electrically charged plates, causing a measurable current to flow between plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it changes the flow of current, which is detected and activates the alarm.

Photoelectric Smoke Alarm uses a light source that is aimed away from a sensor in a sensing chamber. When smoke enters the chamber it reflects the light onto the sensor, which is detected and activates the alarm.

Smoke alarms can be electrically connected, battery operated, or both.

Where to install smoke alarms

Because smoke rises, it is recommended you place the alarms on the ceiling. Avoid ceilings near bathrooms, heating appliances, windows and ceiling fans.  The smoke alarm should be installed between each sleeping area and the remainder of the building or where a sleeping area is served by a hallway, install the alarm in the hall. Always install the smoke alarm on or near the ceiling in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Test your smoke alarms regularly by pressing the test button or by using smoke from a smouldering incense stick.

Replace batteries regularly.  Install a new battery in each alarm at least once a year. All battery-operated smoke alarms are required to emit a warning sound, usually an intermittent “chirp” when the battery power is low. When warning chirp sounds, replace your battery immediately. Never wait. Change your batteries when you change your clocks in the spring and fall.  Smoke alarms do wear out, so if you think your alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them with new ones.

Maintaining Your Alarm

Dust can clog a smoke alarm, so gently vacuum alarms every six months using a soft brush. Never vacuum electrically connected alarms unless you shut off the power. Test your unit when finished cleaning. When installing, testing, and maintaining smoke alarms, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Follow the instructions when installing alarms.

• Test smoke alarms every month.

• Replace the batteries at least once a year.

• Replace smoke alarms with new ones every ten years.

• Never remove the batteries except to change them.

• Try a different type if you experience nuisance alarms.