Fireplace safety tips for Canadians

Canadian winters are notorious for freezing temperatures and unexpected storms, which is why homeowners rely on their fireplace for warmth and supplemental heating. But with convenience comes potential hazards for household fires. According to Statistics Canada, residential fire-related deaths rose from 148 in 2019 to 202 in 2021. Approximately 39,000 fires were attended to by Canadian fire departments. Of these incidents, 42% were recorded as residential fires, highlighting the importance of fire safety awareness in your home. For fireplace safety tips and more, stick around.

Canadian Fireplace safety regulations and standards

In Canada, fireplace safety can feel confusing, especially because they come from a mix of municipal building codes, safety standards and generalized best-practices. Here’s what you should know:

Building codes

Building codes are regulated at a provincial and municipal level. However, they generally follow similar standards:

• New wood burning fireplaces, stoves and wall inserts must be installed according to provincial building codes.
• Most fuel appliances must follow CSA B365, which is a safety standard for the installation and maintenance of wood burning equipment.
• Permits are often required before new fireplaces are installed or changes are made.
• All manufactured fireplaces and wood stoves sold in Canada must be certified and follow Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) safety standards.
• Some provinces like Ontario require a carbon monoxide detector to be installed on every floor of your home, effective January 1, 2026.

What this means for homeowners

If you're installing or replacing a fireplace in your home, you must follow local building codes, have it installed by a professional technician, ensure the product itself has been certified as safe and ensure installers carry all necessary permits before work begins on your property.

The importance of carbon monoxide detectors

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas that can be deadly if left undetected. Canadian safety regulations recommend all homes have a carbon monoxide detector installed, while some provinces like Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, require one on all levels and near sleeping areas. Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Confusion

Even being exposed to low levels of CO can be harmful over time. It's recommended that you test your carbon monoxide detectors monthly and replace the batteries every year. Ensuring your detectors are working correctly not only protects you and your loved ones, but is also a requirement for most home insurance policies.

Insurance considerations for fireplace use

Wood burning fireplaces are a great way to keep your home warm and your energy costs low. But without proper maintenance and use, they can be dangerous. Heating equipment, including fireplaces, was the source of approximately 14% of all residential fire incidents between 2015 and 2021, causing approximately 7% of fire-related deaths in Canada.

Homeowners should check with their insurance broker or company to ensure that the dwelling and contents portion of their policy covers fireplace-related risks. Liability coverage can protect you against accidental fires that damage property or cause third-party injuries.

To keep your insurance premiums low and prevent claims, installing safety features like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and maintaining your chimneys regularly is key. Further, if you choose to install a new fireplace, be sure to notify your insurer. We also recommend keeping records of any inspections, chimney cleanings and safety upgrades in the event you need to file a claim following a fire in your home.

Step-by-step fireplace maintenance checklist

To keep your wood burning fireplace and gas fireplace working safely, here's what you need to do:

• Schedule annual inspections by a professional technician to check your chimney's burners, flues and gasoline lines.
• Test all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on an annual basis.
• Make sure your fireplace’s damper is open before starting a fire so it can vent properly.
• Clean your chimneys to remove creosote buildup, which is a black residue that forms from the condensation that occurs when fire meets cooler temperatures as it makes its way up the chimney.
• Test the function of your fireplace by lighting small pieces of wood to make sure the smoke is exiting vertically from your fireplace. If smoke enters the room you need to investigate the issue.
• A fireplace is not a garbage bin and is not designed to burn cardboard, wrapping paper or your wilting Christmas tree. Dispose of these materials through your normal household garbage.
• Check for cracks in your fireplace glass or whether there is any structural damage to the hearths.
• If you notice the pilot light or flames go out while it is turned on, wait five minutes or longer before relighting it. This will provide time to clear the fireplace of gas.
• Remove ashes, placing them in a metal container and let them cool completely before disposing them.
• Keep maintenance logs to track your inspections, cleanings and repairs.

Common fireplace hazards and how to prevent them

Some of the most common hazards include:

• Chimney fires caused by creosote
• Gas leaks from improperly installed fireplaces
• Burns to children, pets and the elderly or accidental fires from leaving your fireplace unattended.

Fireplace safety tips to prevent hazards:

• Keep combustible materials a safe distance away from fireplaces at all times.
• Never leave your fireplace unattended.
• Use only seasoned, dry wood for your wood burning fireplace.
• Avoid flammable liquids to start your fires.
• Keep a fire extinguisher near your fireplace at all times.
• Call a certified technician if flames or unusual smells appear.

How to use your fireplace safely with children and pets

Fireplace safety is especially important when you have small children and pets:

• Place a guard or screen in front of the area to help keep children and pets from potentially getting burned by hot surfaces.
• Keep furniture and toys away from active fireplaces.
• Educate your children about fire safety and supervise them when they are playing nearby.
• Secure electrical cords, doors and gas valve controls near your fireplace.

Seasonal fireplaces: preparing for winter and spring

How you use your fireplace changes with the seasons. In the wintertime, before making a cozy fire, ensure that your chimney is clean and your damper operates smoothly. When the season changes to spring, clean out any ashes, check your vents and store leftover firewood in a dry location.

For gas fireplaces, inspect the burners and pilot lights before reactivating them after not using them for an extended period. Remember, seasonal maintenance can help prevent house fires, costly repairs and efficiency levels.

How to properly use a wood fireplace

Here are the steps for how to properly use a wood fireplace:

1. Open the chimney damper before each use and close it when you’re done. A chimney damper allows smoke to escape up the chimney while the wood is burning. It also allows air to circulate within your fireplace.
2. Gather appropriate firewood to use in your fireplace. Do not burn pine or wet wood.
3. Line the bottom of your fireplace grate with small, soft pieces of wood, then stack the harder bigger pieces on top. Place fire-starter logs underneath the fire grate and use a lighter or match to ignite it.
4. Place a safety screen in front of your fire to prevent small children or animals from getting too close to active fires.
5. Continue to feed the fire with firewood when needed, but remember to only add as much as you need with respect to how long you want it to burn.
6. Once your fire has burned down, remove the cooled ashes with a metal shovel and discard them in a metal garbage can. Close the damper after use.

Conclusion: keeping your home safe with fireplace awareness

Preventing house fires and staying warm starts with proper fireplace use. By staying up-to-date on Canadian regulations, using carbon monoxide detectors, conducting regular inspections and keeping up with maintenance and repairs, you and your family can enjoy your fireplace safely.

Remember, fireplace safety in your home can impact your insurance coverage and rates. By documenting maintenance and informing your insurer about any changes you've made, you can keep your premiums low and qualify for discounts.

Contact a BrokerLink advisor today to review your current home insurance policy and make sure your fireplace and home are fully protected all winter long.

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