Fire prevention
Every second counts in a fire. Make sure your family has two ways out of every room in your home.
Download the escape plan infographic
Fire prevention services
The Courtenay Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Branch offers services to help keep our community safe:
- Annual fire inspections for about 1,500 businesses in Courtenay and nearby fire protection areas.
- Fire hall tours for schools, daycares and youth groups.
- Fire safety talks for schools and workplaces.
- Fire Safety House Program, teaching Grade 3 students how to safely escape a house fire.
Fire safety tips
Here are some simple steps to help protect you and your family:
Install and check smoke alarms
- Install at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home.
- Test alarms every month.
- Replace the batteries at least once a year.
- Use alarms that are UL or FM certified.
Post emergency numbers
Keep emergency contact numbers near your phone. If there’s a fire, don’t call from inside the building—get out first, then call from a safe location.
Plan your escape
Make sure everyone in your home knows how to get out quickly in different situations. A home security system won’t help if you can’t escape a fire.
Be careful with space heaters
- Keep heaters at least 3 feet (1 metre) from anything that can burn.
- Never leave heaters on when you leave the house or go to bed.
- Keep children and pets away from heaters.
Smoke safely
- Never smoke in bed or when you're drowsy.
- Cigarettes are a leading cause of fire deaths — dispose of them carefully.
Cook with care
- Keep the area around your stove clear of flammable items.
- Wear short or tight sleeves while cooking.
- Turn pot handles inward to avoid spills.
- If grease catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
More cooking safety tips – Fire Prevention Canada
Keep matches and lighters away from children
- Store them out of reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
- Teach children that these are tools, not toys, and should only be used by adults.
Use electricity safely
- Unplug appliances that smell odd or start smoking.
- Replace damaged cords.
- Never overload extension cords or run them under rugs.
- Don’t tamper with fuse boxes or use the wrong size fuse.
Treat burns properly
If someone is burned, cool the area under cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. See a doctor right away if the burn blisters or chars.
Halogen lights
Keep halogen lamps away from drapes or low ceilings. Turn them off when leaving home or work.
Reflective address signs
Can emergency services find your home quickly?
The Comox Valley Monarch Lions Club makes reflective address signs to improve visibility — especially at night. These signs help firefighters and other responders save time in an emergency.
Learn more about 911 reflective address signs.
Proceeds support local community programs.
Slow down, move over
If you see an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the road with lights flashing, slow down and move over. It’s the law in B.C. under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Find out more about the Slow Down Move Over law.
Fire safety for kids
Learn fire safety the fun way with Sparky the Fire Dog. The site includes games, stories and activities for children and families.
After a fire
Recovering after a fire can be overwhelming. We’ve created a guide to help you through the first 24 hours and the steps that follow.