Public Education

Fire Extinguishers

When used properly, a fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a fire before it becomes out of control. There are many different types of extinguishers for different purposes. When purchasing yours, ensure that you are buying one that suits your needs. Install it where the greatest potential of fire risk would be – in the kitchen, near an exit, in a room that has a fireplace or woodstove, garage or workshop would be logical places.

For fire extinguisher safety tips, visit the National Fire Protection Association.

Fire Safety during Power Failures

When your power is out, you may be introducing potential hazards to your home. Learn more about important safety tips during power outages. 

Home Fire Escape Plan

Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as two minutes to escape safely once the alarm sounds. Gather everyone in your household and make an escape plan.

Developing your Home Fire Escape Plan is a great way to get children involved in fire safety in a non-threatening way and keep your family safe.  

Have fun while learning all about Fire Safety from these websites.

• Elmer the Safety Elephant
• Sparky the Dog
• Fireman Sam
• Fire Safe Kids

Do not be afraid of firefighters when there is a fire or an emergency, firefighters are your friends!

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries.

• Thanksgiving is the leading day for fires involving cooking equipment.
• The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly and stay in the home.
• Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it’s cool.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop.
• Loose clothing can hang down onto stove burners and catch fire. Wear short, close-fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 metre) around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

Our goal is to educate everyone from children and youths to adults and seniors the importance of Fire Safety at home, at school and at work.

Some of the available programs are:

• School visits
• Fire hall tours
• Fire safety trailer
• Fire extinguisher training
• Attending Special events?

For more information, or to inquiry about one of our programs please contact Fire Administration Office at 519-843-1950 

Rivers, lakes and ponds can be fun places to swim, canoe and fish, however, rivers and streams are a part of nature and are always changing. Safety should be your first concern when near the Grand River and other waterways.

Thanks to an amazing partnership with the O.P.P, Grand River Conservation Authority, Guelph Wellington Paramedic Service and Centre Wellington Fire Rescue Services, this River Safety video, produced by Tivoli Films was created to bring an awareness to river safety in our community and along the Grand River.  Our video, the Hogg Family’s story, emphasizes how life can change in an instant.

The GRCA has produced the River Safety Rules booklet, geared to kids. It will help them stay safe when they are near water, particularly near a dam.

Check river flows and temperature

• River flows can change quickly and without warning. Check current flows in the river flows section of the GRCA website.
• Call the GRCA River Flow Information Line at 519-621-2763, Ext. 2511

Canoeing or boating safety

• Follow Boating Safety Regulations.
• Always wear a lifejacket. Make sure it fits well and is fastened properly.
• Check river conditions before you begin your trip. 
• If river flows are high, especially after a major rainfall, postpone your trip until the flows have returned to safer levels. Flows can change quickly.
• Stay seated and never fool around in a boat.
• Never boat or canoe near dams where there can be undertows and extreme currents. Stay upstream of any navigation marker buoys.
• If your canoe trip involves portaging a dam, follow the formal portage route.
• Leave the water if a thunderstorm or lightning is approaching (applies to any activity in or near water).

Swimming safety

• Swim in designated areas and stay within the buoy line.
• Swim only at marked beaches or pools, and always swim with a buddy. Wear a personal floatation device.
• Check river flows if you plan to swim in a river or stream. Flows can change quickly. Wear a personal floatation device.
• Stay away from dams and other water structures due to undertows and dangerous currents.
• Wear thick-soled shoes or sandals when wading. You may not see broken glass or debris on a sandy or muddy river bottom.
• Know the depth of swimming areas before you dive, and never dive from bridges or other structures.

Fishing safety

• Check river flows before you begin your fishing trip.
• If river flows are high, especially after a major rainfall, postpone your trip until the flows have returned to safer levels. Flows can change quickly.
• Wade only where you can see the bottom. Be aware that there may be holes or deeper areas close to you.
• Be extra careful on slippery or loose stone banks.
• Handle hooks, knives and other sharp fishing equipment with care.

Winter and waterways

• Only walk on well-frozen ponds when ice is thick enough to be safe.
• Never walk on river ice. It may appear safe but may not be thick enough to support your weight, due to the river current flowing underneath.
• Only skate, walk or ski on well-frozen ponds, with adult permission, in areas where the ice thickness is known to be safe.
• Be careful near riverbanks in the winter, as they will be icy and slippery.

Online resources

• Canadian Red Cross: Swimming and water safety tips and resources
• Transport Canada: Safety tips and requirements for paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and other  human-powered water craft.
• Ontario Power Generation: Safety around dams and hydro stations?