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Updates, safety tips and public education campaigns that help residents prevent fires and stay safe at home, at work and in the community.
Burlington Fire reminding residents of CO alarm requirements during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week
Posted on Friday, October 30, 2026 03:09 PM
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that can be fatal if undetected. Often called the "silent killer", it is produced when fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil, wood or gasoline do not burn properly. As part of CO Awareness Week (Nov. 1 to 7), Burlington Fire is reminding residents of Ontario Fire Code requirements and urging anyone who has not already done so to ensure their home is equipped with working carbon monoxide alarms.
Updated Ontario Fire Code requirements came into effect in January 2026 and apply to homes that have any of the following:
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A fuel-burning appliance (such as a furnace, water heater, gas stove, or wood stove)
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A fireplace
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An attached garage
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NEW in 2026: Heated air supplied by a fuel-burning appliance located outside the home. Examples include: outdoor wood furnace (wood boiler), pellet stove in a detached utility building, propane or natural gas furnace in an outbuilding, or external boiler system connected to home heating.
If your home...
Seasonal safety tips for the home, on the road and in the community
Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2026 10:05 AM
With Halloween activities and the return of darker mornings and evenings following the time change on November 1, fall brings new safety considerations and an opportunity to refresh seasonal safety habits.
Halloween safety tips
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Use glow sticks or battery-operated candles for jack-o'-lanterns and other Halloween decor.
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Consider adding reflective materials, flashlights or glow sticks to costumes, planning trick-or-treat routes in advance and ensuring children are accompanied by an adult.
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Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o'-lanterns with candles in them.
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Keep Halloween decorations away from open flames and other heat sources, such as light bulbs and heaters.
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Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes.
Seasonal emergency preparedness checks
Fall is the perfect time to complete seasonal maintenance and emergency preparedness checks:
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Check your 72-hour emergency kit. Replace expired items and swap your summer emergency supplies for winter...
Three simple steps to prevent battery fires
Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2026 04:36 PM
From smartphones and laptops to e-bikes, power tools and electric vehicles, rechargeable (lithium-ion) batteries have become part of everyday life. They power many of the devices we rely on every day.
While these batteries are generally safe when used properly, fire departments across Canada are responding to more battery-related fires than ever before. When a battery is damaged, defective or used improperly, it can overheat and fail, sometimes resulting in an intense fire that spreads quickly and produces toxic smoke.
The good news? Many of these fires are preventable.
A few simple choices when you buy, charge and use lithium-ion batteries can go a long way toward keeping your home and family safe.
1. Buy safe: make safety part of the purchase
Battery safety starts before you bring a product home.
Whether you're shopping for a new phone, e-bike, power tool or battery pack, it's important to choose products from trusted manufacturers and reputable retailers. Look for products that carry...
City of Burlington joins the Lifesaving Society in recognizing Drowning Prevention Week
Posted on Friday, July 17, 2026 02:59 PM
July 19 to 25 is Drowning Prevention Week, an annual campaign led by the Lifesaving Society to raise awareness about water safety and help prevent drowning.
The City of Burlington is proud to support this important initiative by highlighting opportunities for residents to learn to swim, build their water safety knowledge and help keep themselves and others safe in and around the water.
Learn to swim with the City of Burlington
Learning to swim can save your life. The City of Burlington offers swimming lessons for all ages and abilities through the Swim for Life™ learn-to-swim program. Residents can also continue developing their skills through a variety of aquatic programs designed to build strength, endurance and confidence in the water.
Community members aged 10 and older can consider enrolling in the City's Aquatic Lifesaving Leadership courses, which provide the foundation for becoming a lifeguard.
For information about swimming and aquatic programs, visit: burlington.ca/swim
Supporting...
Fact or fiction: Garage fire safety myths explained
Posted on Friday, July 10, 2026 11:31 AM
In Burlington, nearly one in four structure fires starts in a garage, highlighting the importance of fire safety when storing and using household items.
As you organize your garage and tackle seasonal projects, take time to properly store hazardous materials and reduce potential fire risks.
Separate fact from fiction with these common garage fire safety myths:
Myth: My garage is just a storage space, so it's not a major fire risk.
Truth: Garages often store gasoline, oil, paint, power tools, propane cylinders, and other combustible materials. These items can increase the likelihood of a fire and make fires spread more quickly when they occur. While garages are a common place to store these items, it’s important to regularly take stock of what’s stored and not overlook their fire risk.
Myth: It's safe to leave batteries and devices charging overnight.
Truth: Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, especially...
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