Home Fire Safety

Fire prevention starts at home. A properly stocked household, complete with functioning smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide sensors, could be the difference between a controlled situation and a tragedy. Read on for tips and advice and how you can be prepared.

For information on fire safety for commercial properties, visit Commercial Fire Safety .

Have an Escape Plan

You and your family should practise an escape routine in the event of a fire. Always have two ways out and decide on a meeting place away from your home. Notify heavy sleepers and assist anyone who cannot exit on their own. Once everyone is safely outside, call 911 immediately.

- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends placement of at least one smoke alarm on every level of the home (including basements),
- in every bedroom, and
- outside each sleeping area.
- The NFPA also recommends interconnection of alarms to provide better whole-home protection than stand-alone alarms.
- Leading authorities recommend that both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms be installed to help insure maximum detection of the various types of fires that can occur within the home.
- Hard wired alarms should be equipped with a Battery Back.
- Test your smoke alarm once a month by pushing the test button, if your alarms are monitored, be sure to inform your alarm monitoring company first to avoid false alarm charges.
- Replace your smoke alarm batteries once a year.
- Smoke detectors expire and should be replaced every 10 years, an expiry, manufactured or installed on date may be on the detector.
- Industry experts recommend a CO alarm be installed on each level of the home - ideally on any level with fuel burning appliances and outside of sleeping areas.
  a combination alarm can satisfy one of your smoke alarm location requirements as well as a carbon monoxide location.
- Please ensure a smoke alarm is installed in every bedroom and the hall outside, and on every floor. Install a CO detector on every floor as well ( can be a combination CO & Smoke Alarm).
A small portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property. At least one portable fire extinguisher should be kept in an accessible location on each level of your home. Your fire extinguishers should be inspected monthly and shaken once a year to stir up the powder inside. In-home fire extinguishers should be replaced after twelve years.

Fire extinguisher recycling program

West Vancouver residents can drop off empty fire extinguishers free of charge, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at the following location:

Fire Station No. 1
760 16th Street

Note: Proof of residency is required to participate in the program.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless and deadly gas. Carbon monoxide detectors detect carbon monoxide gas in your home, which is the result of natural gas combustion from gas fireplaces, furnaces, hot water heaters and dryers. Older, malfunctioning and improperly installed gas burning appliances can fill your home with carbon monoxide, causing flu-like symptoms. Higher doses can lead to unconsciousness or even death.