Barbecues are a great way to bring family and friends together, but an open flame, hot cooking surfaces and grease can create serious burn and fire hazards.
Choose a safe location, keep the grill clean and stay nearby whenever it is in use.
A few simple habits can prevent burns, grease fires and accidental ignition around your home.
Keep your barbecue away from your home, deck railings, overhanging branches and anything else that can burn.
Remove grease and fat buildup from the grill, cooking grates and trays regularly.
Never leave a lit barbecue unattended. Stay nearby and keep an eye on what is cooking.
Keep children and pets at least three feet — about one metre — away from the grill area.
Inspect hoses and connections on propane equipment and follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
Allow the barbecue and its components to cool before cleaning, covering or moving the appliance.
Do not allow unburned gas to accumulate under a closed lid. Follow the lighting procedure provided by the grill manufacturer.
Watch Richmond Fire-Rescue’s BBQ safety video before firing up the grill.
Park barbecue rules are different from backyard use and can change with fire conditions. Check the current City requirements before you go.
View BBQ & Park Rules
Heating equipment can make your home comfortable during colder weather, but anything that produces heat needs to be used with care.
Keep combustible materials away from heaters, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and turn portable heating equipment off when it is no longer needed.
These simple habits can dramatically reduce the risk of a portable heater starting a fire.
Keep portable heaters at least one metre away from couches, beds, clothing, curtains and other combustible materials.
Plug portable electric heaters directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or power bar.
Turn portable heaters off and unplug them before leaving your home or going to sleep.
Don’t allow furniture, blankets, clothing, curtains, paper or other combustible items to crowd a portable heater. Keep the space around it clear while it is operating.
Portable heaters aren’t the only equipment to think about. Safe heating starts with properly installed and maintained systems.
Have heating equipment installed and serviced by qualified professionals where required.
Use heating equipment only as intended and follow the operating and clearance instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Test the smoke alarms in your home every month and replace them as required.
Homes with fuel-burning equipment should have appropriately located carbon monoxide alarms.
Cooking appliances should only be used for their intended purpose. Use properly installed and approved heating equipment to warm your home.
Watch this short Richmond Fire-Rescue video for practical reminders about safely using portable heaters in your home.
Rags used with oil-based paints, stains and similar products need to be handled carefully after you’re finished using them.
As some oils dry, they release heat. When oily rags are piled together, that heat can become trapped and create a serious fire hazard.
Oil-based products can produce heat as they dry. A loose rag can release that heat into the surrounding air, but a pile of oily rags can trap it. As the temperature continues to rise, the material can eventually ignite.
Don’t toss used rags into a pile when the project is over. Take a few extra steps before storing or disposing of them.
Don’t leave wet or oily rags crumpled together, stacked in a pile or mixed with other combustible materials.
Hang rags outside or spread them flat in a safe location away from buildings so heat can escape while they dry.
If rags are laid flat outdoors, weigh them down so they cannot blow away. Keep them separated rather than overlapping.
Once dry, place the rags in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid and a water-and-detergent solution. Keep the container cool and away from sunlight and heat sources.
Handle and store oily rags safely first, and follow the disposal requirements for the product you used. Keep paints, stains and other flammable or combustible liquids away from flames, sparks and other ignition sources.
Charge safely, recognize warning signs and learn how to store, use and dispose of lithium-ion batteries responsibly.
Charge safely. Prevent fires.
Lithium-ion batteries power many of the devices we use every day. Learn how to purchase, charge, store and recycle them safely—and how to recognize the warning signs of a failing battery.