Fire safety and energy conservation

When you practice energy conservation at home, there are many added benefits. They include increased comfort and better maintained spaces. Energy conservation is also closely tied to fire prevention.  

Fires from cooking/grease, electrical, and portable heaters are the top causes of residential fires in Canada. Many tips for preventing these types of fires can also be a way to conserve energy.

Tips for appliance safety 

To prevent electrical fires, it is important not to overload electrical outlets. Don't use single outlets for more than one large appliance. For example, don't plug a portable air conditioner and a hair dryer into the same outlet. Another example to avoid is a toaster and a microwave in the same outlet. The same rule applies when using power bars for multiple appliances.  

The best practice is to unplug each appliance when you finish using it. The only appliances that should be plugged into the outlet are the ones you are actively using.

Did you know that plugged in electronics continue to use energy, even if they are switched off? Remember to unplug electronics that are not in use to save energy. 

Portable heaters and you: what is safe? 

You can prevent fires from portable heaters by not using them at all. Portable heaters must be kept three feet away from other objects. Items that are too close to the heater can catch fire. This is not always possible in a smaller living space, or in a cluttered home. That means it is better not to use a portable heater at all. 

If you want to conserve energy, we also recommend you avoid using portable heaters. They overheat one area of the living space, and so the thermostat in your unit will not turn the heating on. This means other areas of your home will stay cold. If your unit is too cold, report the issue to site staff to investigate instead of using a portable heater. 

Keep it uncluttered 

Clutter is a major fire hazard since it can block exits like windows and doors. If you have clutter in front of heat sources it can be at risk of catching fire. Keep clutter away from things like portable heaters and radiators.

Clutter can also lead to energy waste if it is in front of radiators or vents. This will block building air conditioning and heating from entering your unit.

Save energy and practice fire safety by following these tips. For more information on conservation, contact conservation@torontohousing.ca. You can also visit the Conservation page.