Essa Fire Department

March calls 🚒

Enbridge Gas Ontario partnered with the Township of Essa Fire Department to help reduce fire‑ and carbon monoxide‑related deaths through Safe Community Project Zero.

Clocks will spring forward on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2 a.m. local time, as daylight saving time begins. This means that the time will jump from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m.,This is a great time to switch out your smoke alarm batteries and test them!

February calls 🚒

Adopt a hydrant! Keep it visible and accessible, and clear your home’s vents from snow or ice buildup to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) hazards. Small actions make a big difference! #thorntonfirefightersassociation #angusfirefightersassociation

January calls 🚒

‼️A safe distance makes all the difference! ✔️Keep anything that can burn at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from space heaters. ✔️Always plug heaters directly into a wall outlet, never a power bar. ✔️Never leave a space heater on while you aren’t home. ✔️Stay warm — and stay safe!

‼️Another reminder that as of January 1, 2026, the Ontario Fire Code has been updated to require carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every storey of homes with fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage, not just adjacent to sleeping areas.

Total calls for 2025 🚒

December calls 🚒

✔️Charge lithium-ion battery powered devices on hard, flat surfaces, and not on soft surfaces like beds, couches, or under pillows. ✔️Always use the charger that came with the device and is recommended by the device’s manufacturer. ✔️Unplug devices when charging is complete.

✔️Encourage smokers to smoke outside. ✔️Use deep, sturdy ashtrays and extinguish cigarettes fully. ✔️Never smoke in bed. ✔️Avoid smoking when tired or impaired. ✔️Empty ashes into a metal container and keep outside.

✔️Have your heating system, vents, and chimneys inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified technician. ✔️Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets; never use extension cords. ✔️Turn off heaters when you leave the room. ✔️Install a carbon monoxide alarms.

✔️Stay in the kitchen when cooking. ✔️Keep anything that can burn away from the stovetop. ✔️Always have a lid nearby. If a pot catches fire, turn off the stove and slide the lid over the pot to extinguish the fire. ✔️Remind kids about kitchen safety.

✔️Identify two exits from every room. ✔️Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone else that may need assistance. ✔️Choose a safe meeting spot outside, like a tree or lamp post across the street. ✔️Once out, stay out.

✔️Show kids how to stay one metre (three feet) away from stoves and ovens. ✔️Explain why hot surfaces can cause burns. ✔️Assign safe tasks like mixing or decorating. Supervise kids in the kitchen closely.

Holiday safety starts with proper use of EXTENSION CORDS. Holiday decorations often come with extra plugs – which can mean extra danger.

✔️Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas of your home. ✔️Test them monthly by pressing the test button. ✔️Change batteries at least twice per year. ✔️Replace units every 10 years or according to manufacturer instructions.

🕯️Decorate with joy, not risk - choose responsible ways to shine this season. ✔️Keep candles away from anything that can burn. ✔️Use candles in sturdy containers that will not fall over. ✔️Never leave lit candles unattended. ✔️Choose flameless candles when possible.

Trees bring wonder, but a dry one can turn to danger in seconds, becoming a serious fire risk. Prevention starts with simple habits: ✔️Water your tree every single day. ✔️Keep it away from heat sources to prevent it from drying out quickly. ✔️Never place lit candles on the tree