Public Education Programs

We offer fire safety presentations for daycare centres, after-school programs, children's camps and Montessori schools. We introduce children to the basics of fire safety, firefighters and community helpers. They learn what a smoke alarm sounds like and what to do if they hear one. For students to get the most out of the visit, the minimum age for this program is 4 years old.

We encourage camp organizers to book well in advance. 

Please keep in mind that fire crews must always be ready to respond to emergencies so attendance or arrival time can't be guaranteed.

Contact us for more information or fill out a request form.

Kawartha Lakes is proud to offer fire and life safety programs for students in elementary schools. These interactive presentations encourage effective learning and "edutainment." Children are provided with the information and skills they need to make smarter choices about their personal safety.

Contact us for more information or fill out a request form.

Each grade has a different program organized by our Fire Prevention Public Educator. Our program includes the following grade levels:

Learn Not to Burn: Kindergarten

Our fire safety program teaches kindergarten students that firefighters are community helpers and to get out said and stay outside when they hear the smoke alarm. Learning points and activities include:

• Firefighters are community helpers
• Gear firefighters wear
• What is 9-1-1
• Lighters and matches are for grown ups
• The sound smoke alarms make
• Smoke is poison
• Never hide in a fire
• Fire truck tour (upon request)

The full Learn Not to Burn program is available free on the Sparky School House website.

Learn Not to Burn: Grade 1 to 2

Our fire safety program teaches grade one and two students what to do when the smoke alarm sounds and where smoke alarms should be located. Learning points and activities include:

• Review of 9-1-1 and remembering a home address
• Smoke alarms - and how many, why are needed and where to put them
• Get low and go
• Stop, drop and roll
• Fire truck tour (upon request)

The full Learn Not to Burn program is available free on the Sparky School House website.

 Home Hazards: Grade 3 to 4 

Our fire safety program teaches grade three and four students how to keep their home safe from fires. Learning points and activities include:

• What is a hazard
• Carbon monoxide, what is it and where does it come from
• The fire triangle
• Home fire prevention
• Making smart choices and preventing injuries
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Home escape planning

Fire is Fast: Grade 5 to 6 

• The fire triangle
• Top causes of home fires
• Furniture fire comparison video
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements
• Home escape planning
• Consequences of fire play

 What's Cooking for Pre-Teens: Grade 7 to 8

 Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires in Ontario. Learning points and activities include:

• Kitchen/cooking fire safety
• No Time to Spare video, recreation of a fire highlighting the importance of smoke alarms and escape planning
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements
• Home escape planning

 Close Before you Doze: Grade 7 to 8

Make a 900° difference, research proves a closed door can mean the difference between 1,000 degrees and 100 degrees in the event of a fire. Learning points and activities include:

• The difference having a closed door can make
• Close before you doze video
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements
• Home escape planning

Visit the close your door webpage for more information.

We offer free presentations for hospital and long-term care staff. Presentation topics for this program include:

• Emergency procedures to follow when there's a fire
• What to do if you find a fire
• Workplace fire alarm systems
• Responsibilities of staff when there's an emergency
• Evacuation techniques and procedures
• When and how to use a fire extinguisher
• How to spot and get rid of fire and life safety hazards in your workplace

Fire extinguisher training may be included as an additional cost.

Contact us for more information or fill out a request form.

Our senior safety presentations include:

• Preventing the Leading Causes of Home Fires
• Smoke alarm requirements
• Carbon monoxide alarm requirements
• Home fire escaping / Planning around your needs
• Fall prevention
• Fire extinguisher training can be provided upon request

Contact us for more information or fill out a request form.

• Wood
• Propane
• Natural Gas
• Heating Oil
• Coal
• Kerosene
• Charcoal
• Gasoline

Many Ontario homes have an average 4–6 fuel-burning appliances that produce carbon monoxide.

• Stove
• Furnace
• Fireplace
• Dryer
• Water heater
• Barbecue
• Portable fuel fired generator
• Portable fuel heater
• Vehicles

Regularly maintained appliances that are properly ventilated should not produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide.

• Install a carbon monoxide alarm near all sleeping area(s) of the home
• Install the carbon monoxide alarm(s) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
• Ensure fuel-burning appliances, chimneys and vents are cleaned and inspected by professionals every year before cold weather sets in. Visit COSafety.ca to find a registered contractor near you
• Ensure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, fireplace and other fuel-burning appliances are clear of snow and other debris
• Gas and charcoal barbecues should only be used outside, away from all doors, windows, vents, and other building openings
• Never use barbecues inside garages, even if the garage doors are open
• Portable fuel-burning generators should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from windows, doors, vents and other building openings
• Ensure all portable fuel-burning heaters are vented properly, according to manufacturer’s instructions
• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home
• Open the flu before using a fireplace for adequate ventilation
• Never run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor inside a garage, even if the garage doors are open. Always remove a vehicle from the garage immediately after starting it

Know the Sound of the CO Alarm:

• Your CO alarm sounds different than your smoke alarm. Test both alarms monthly and make sure everyone in your home knows the difference between the two alarm sounds.

• Know the difference between the CO alarms' low-battery warning, end of life warning and an emergency alarm – consult the CO alarm manufacturer’s instructions.

What to do if the CO Alarm Sounds:

• Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness, as well as confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and death.

• If your CO alarm sounds, and you or other occupants suffer from symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the home immediately. Then call 9-1-1 or your local emergency services number from outside the building.

• If your CO alarm sounds, and no one is suffering from symptoms of CO poisoning, check to see if the battery needs replacing, or the alarm has reached its "end-of-life" before calling 9-1-1.