Fire Safety & Prevention

The best way to stay safe during a fire is to be prepared and know how to respond. Failure to comply with the fire code smoke alarm requirement could result in Ontario Fire Code charges.

Free Home Fire Safety Inspections

Protect your family. Protect your home. Midland Fire Department is offering free home fire safety inspections to help keep our community safe! Learn more and book your inspection.

Working Smoke & CO Alarms Save Lives

In the event of a fire, working smoke alarms and a home escape plan can mean the difference between life and death. Ontario law requires homeowners to install and maintain working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous gas that is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, making alarms the only way to detect it. Carbon monoxide alarms are just as important as smoke alarms and provide early warning of a serious hazard, even when there is no fire.

Effective January 1, 2026, the Ontario Fire Code has new requirements in relation to carbon monoxide. Please read when and where to install carbon monoxide alarms.

Residents are responsible for ensuring alarms are installed and maintained in their homes. Alarms can be purchased through hardware stores, home improvement retailers, and online vendors.

Fire & Home Safety Tips

Everyone has a role in fire safety. There are specific legal requirements of homeowners, business owners, landlords and tenants when it comes to fire prevention, detection and reporting.

  • Smoke & CO Alarms: Test monthly and replace if over 10 years old.
  • Escape Plan: Practice your home escape plan and set a meeting spot outside.
  • Never Go Back In: Your safety comes first! Items can be replaced, you can't.
  • Kitchen Safety: Stay with your cooking don’t leave it unattended.
  • Fire Extinguishers: Keep them in easy-to-reach spots, not under the sink.
  • BBQs & Fire Pits: Keep them well away from your home and anything flammable.

  • Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper placement.
  • Test alarms monthly using the test button.
  • Replace batteries at least once a year or when you hear a low-battery chirp.
  • Replace alarms every 10 years as they don’t last forever.
  • Steam from cooking or showers can trigger alarms. Don’t remove the battery and move the alarm or use one with a hush feature.

Cooking continues to be one of the leading causes of residential fires in Midland and across Ontario. Stay alert and practice these safe cooking habits:

  • Watch what you heat. Never leave the kitchen while cooking. Use a timer as a reminder.
  • Turn pot handles inward to prevent spills and burns.
  • Keep a lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Never use water on a grease fire.
  • Create a kid free zone. Keep children and pets at least one metre away from stoves, ovens, and grills.
  • Microwave or oven fire? Keep the door closed, turn off the power, and ventilate the area.

If a fire breaks out and you are in danger, alert everyone in the home, evacuate immediately, and call 911 from a safe location.

From e bikes and scooters to power tools and cell phones, lithium ion batteries are becoming part of our daily lives but they also pose a growing fire risk if damaged, overcharged, or used improperly.

Stay safe with these tips:

  • Use only manufacturer approved chargers and cords designed for your specific device.
  • Charge batteries on hard, flat surfaces away from beds, couches, and flammable materials.
  • Never leave batteries charging unattended or overnight.
  • Stop using batteries that are swollen, leaking, or overheating.
  • Store batteries at room temperature and avoid extreme heat or cold.
  • Dispose of batteries properly. Take damaged or old lithium ion batteries to a local recycling depot. Never place them in household garbage or blue bins.

If you suspect a battery is overheating or smoking, move it outside if safe to do so and call 911 immediately.

For more tips, visit Public Safety | Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs.

Flare & Firework Disposal

Members of the public are asked to contact Canadian Power Sail Squadrons to dispose of any flare or fire work remains. Georgian Bay Association has a number of disposal days planed throughout the summer. For the full list, please visit Georgian Bay Association website.

Fire Prevention Week 

Each October, the Town of Midland Fire Department proudly joins communities across Canada in recognizing Fire Prevention Week, an annual campaign to raise awareness about fire safety and prevention in our homes and workplaces. Stay tuned for Fire Prevention Week 2026, taking place October 5 to 11, 2026. This year’s official theme from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will be released in September.