Winter House Fire Safety in Ontario: Protecting Your Home and Family

January 04, 2026, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

As winter settles in across Ontario, snow and cold temperatures mean many households are spending more time indoors. Unfortunately, the risk of home fires also increases during the winter months for a variety of reasons — including increased use of heating equipment, space heaters, holiday lights, and candles. Recent local fire service advisory campaigns make it clear that working smoke alarms save lives and that many home fire fatalities occur in houses without functioning alarms. In Toronto alone, approximately 60 per cent of residential fires happen in homes without working smoke alarms.(City of Toronto)

Understanding the dangers and taking practical steps now can help keep your family safe throughout the winter season.

Why Winter Increases Fire Risk

Winter fire hazards are common and often preventable. Cold weather leads to increased use of space heaters, fireplaces, and other heating devices. Electrical systems can be overloaded by holiday lights and winter appliances. During power outages, people frequently turn to candles for light, which significantly increases the risk of fire. Local and national safety sources emphasize that unattended or improperly used candles are a leading cause of household fires.

Smoke Detectors: Your First Line of Defence

Smoke detectors are crucial for early fire detection and can mean the difference between escape and tragedy. Ontario’s Fire Code requires smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas.

Key smoke alarm safety practices include:

• Install smoke alarms properly: Alarms should be placed high on walls or ceilings on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.

• Test regularly: Test alarms monthly to ensure they are working.

• Replace aging units: Smoke alarms older than ten years or those that fail during testing should be replaced promptly.

• Maintain power sources: For hard-wired alarms, ensure battery backups are present and functional to protect your home during outages.

Candle Safety During Winter and Outages

Candles are popular for ambiance, lighting during outages, and holiday décor, but they pose real fire risks if used carelessly:

• Never leave candles unattended: Always extinguish them before leaving a room or going to sleep.

• Use sturdy, non-combustible holders: Place candles on heat-resistant surfaces away from curtains, bedding, decorations, and other flammable materials.

• Keep candles away from children and pets: Accidental knock-overs cause many preventable fires.

• Consider safer alternatives: Battery-powered lanterns or flashlights are safer for lighting during power outages and remove the open flame hazard entirely.

• Avoid candles in bedrooms: Even short use can lead to fire hazards, especially when occupants are asleep or inattentive.

Safe Use of Heating Equipment and Appliances

Winter heating is necessary, but it must be done safely:

• Space heater placement: Keep heaters at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from flammable objects such as furniture, curtains, and bedding.

• Watch electrical load: Do not overload outlets with multiple high-draw devices like space heaters, heated blankets, and holiday lights. Heavy loads can overheat circuits and cause electrical fires.

• Maintain chimneys and fireplaces: Annual professional inspections and cleaning keep creosote buildup and blockages from igniting.

Family Emergency Planning

In addition to prevention, every household should have a fire escape plan that is practised regularly. Every second counts in a fire, and knowing multiple exits from your home can save lives. Regularly review your plan with all family members and ensure smoke alarms are functional before winter settles in.

Legal Responsibility and When Negligence Causes Harm

Sometimes, house fires result from negligent maintenance, faulty wiring, improper installation of heating equipment, or unsafe property conditions. If you or a family member suffers injury or death due to someone else’s failure to provide a safe living environment, it is important to understand your legal options.

At Deutschmann de Koning Law, our Ontario personal injury lawyers have the experience needed to assess fire-related injury cases and advocate for compensation on behalf of injured individuals and families. Serious injuries from fires often result in extensive medical treatment, ongoing care needs, and long-term financial impact — all of which should be considered when pursuing legal action.

Protect Your Home This Winter

Winter fire safety is a combination of preparation, vigilance, and responsible behaviour. Working smoke detectors, mindful use of candles, safe operation of heating devices, and a practiced escape plan significantly reduce the likelihood of a devastating fire. Taking these steps now can protect your family and your home throughout the colder months.

About Deutschmann de Koning Law

Deutschmann de Koning Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Nick de Koning focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.ddinjurylaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.