Fire Prevention Programs

The Victoria Fire Department offers fire prevention programs to help keep you, your family, your property and your neighbourhood safe from the negative impacts of fire. 

Fire Prevention Week was October 7-13, 2018

Look. Listen. Learn. Be Aware. Fire Can Happen Anywhere was this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign. It's designed to educate people about the three basic steps to reduce the likelihood of a fire, and how to escape safely in the event of one:

LOOK for places fires could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them. Make sure to adhere to safe cooking practices in the kitchen to prevent kitchen fires. Ensure combustible materials are kept away from heat sources, and that electrical outlets aren’t over-loaded.

LISTEN for the sound of the smoke alarm. When it comes to fire safety, your ears are your first line of defence. Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and in each bedroom. If you hear a smoke alarm remember to get out and stay out.

LEARN two ways out of every room. Practise a fire escape plan with your family and ensure windows and doors are free from clutter. Make sure everyone in your family knows your outdoor meeting place.

 Check out this helpful video for families, courtesy of the Victoria Fire Department.

Change Home Smoke Alarm Batteries in Spring and Fall

Residents should test smoke alarms once a month and change smoke alarm batteries routinely in the spring and fall when clocks are changed. Replacing a smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old is recommended.

REMINDER: Change your home smoke alarm batteries when Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 4 when clocks "fall back."

Free Smoke Alarm Program

Victoria residents can arrange for a free home smoke alarm home visit by a Fire Prevention Officer, who will determine the best locations for a smoke alarm, install new alarms, or test existing ones. If you reside in a single family home, duplex or townhouse and require a new smoke alarm, you may be eligible to receive one free of charge. The service is available to anyone who resides in the City of Victoria. Learn more

Juvenile Firesetters

When young children experiment with starting fires, intervention is key to preventing the potentially devasting consequences that can result. Our program helps children with a risk of firesetting by engaging with both the child and parent, and also providing education support and referrals to social agencies, if required. Learn more

Hoarding Peer Support Group

If dealing with a hoarding issue has become a concern in someone's home because the excessive clutter creates a safety hazard by hindering escape from the home in an emergency or making a fire more difficult to put out, our program can help by offering a non-judgmental, supportive peer group. Learn more

Residential Underground Oil Tanks

Underground oil tanks can have detrimental impacts to the environment and your property if not properly maintained. Learn what you need to know about maintaining your underground oil tank or removing or decommissioning it. Learn more

Mobile Commercial Cooking Operations

Mobile commercial cooking operations that produce smoke or grease-laden vapour must meeting safety standarards in the City of Victoria. Learn more