Search Lethbridge.ca

Safety Education and Fire Prevention

Fire safety starts with prevention and preparation. Simple steps, like testing smoke alarms, knowing fire risks and having a home escape plan, can help protect you and your family.

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services is committed to helping residents stay safe through public education, community outreach and practical fire safety resources. Explore tips and information to help prevent fires, prepare for emergencies and know what to do when they happen.

Home fire safety

Learn how to reduce fire risks, prepare for emergencies and keep your family safe.

Backyard fire pits

Fires in backyard fire pits are permitted in residential areas unless a city-wide fire ban is in effect. Follow these simple steps to enjoy outdoor fires safely.

Check: make sure no fire ban is in effect before lighting a fire.
Burn: use an approved fire pit and burn only clean, dry firewood.
Supervise: keep fires small, never leave them unattended and fully extinguish them when finished.

All fires must comply with the City's Open Burning Bylaw, including requirements for approved fire pits, clean and dry firewood, supervision and safe extinguishment.

Learn more about backyard fire pits.

Check your smoke alarms

Working smoke alarms give you valuable time to escape a fire.

Install: place alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level.
Test: press the test button monthly and replace batteries when needed.
Replace: replace alarms every 10 years, or sooner if required by the manufacturer.

Never disable a smoke alarm. If there is a fire, get out, stay out and call 9-1-1.

Learn about smoke alarm safety.

Know about carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas you cannot see or smell.

Install: place CO alarms near sleeping areas, following the manufacturer's instructions.
Test: test alarms regularly and replace them as directed.
Prevent: maintain fuel-burning appliances and keep vents clear.

If your CO alarm sounds, leave the building and call 9-1-1 from outside. Do not re-enter until responders say it is safe.

Learn how to prevent carbon monoxide exposure.

Plan your way out

A home fire escape plan helps everyone know what to do when a fire happens.

Plan: know two ways out of each room and keep exits clear.
Meet: choose a safe meeting place outside.
Help: plan how anyone needing assistance will escape.
Practice: practice your escape plan with everyone in your home at least twice a year.

If you live in an apartment or condo, know your building's fire safety plan.

Learn more about home fire escape planning.

Cooking safely

Cooking fires can start quickly. Stay alert and keep anything that can burn away from heat.

Stay: remain in the kitchen when frying or cooking at high temperatures.
Clear: keep towels, packaging and other items away from the stove.
Prevent: turn pot handles inward and keep a lid nearby to cover small grease fires.

Learn more about cooking fire safety.

Heat your home safely

Heating equipment can cause fires when used incorrectly. Keep heaters clear and follow safety instructions.

Distance: keep portable heaters at least one metre (three feet) from anything that can burn.
Switch off: turn portable heaters off before sleeping or leaving home.
Check: have heating equipment inspected and maintained as recommended.

Learn more about home heating safety.

Battery safety

Lithium-ion batteries power many everyday devices, including phones, laptops, tools and e-bikes. Improper use or charging can cause fires.

Buy: choose products with a recognized Canadian safety certification mark, such as CSA, cUL or cETL.
Charge: use approved chargers and charge devices on hard surfaces, away from anything that can burn.
Check: stop using batteries that are swollen, damaged, leaking or unusually hot.

Never put lithium-ion batteries in household garbage or recycling bins. If a battery is smoking or on fire, leave the area and call 9-1-1.

Learn more about lithium-ion battery safety.

Protect your home from wildfire

Wildfires and grassfires can spread quickly, especially during hot, dry and windy conditions. Simple steps can help reduce the risk to your home.

Clear: remove dry leaves, grass and debris from around your home, roof and gutters.
Maintain: keep grass short and trim trees and shrubs away from buildings.
Prepare: move firewood and other combustible materials away from your home. Check local fire bans before burning outdoors.

If you live near the river valley or coulees, stay alert for signs of wildfire. Report any smoke or suspected fire immediately by calling 9-1-1.

Learn more about protecting your home with FireSmart.

Request a safety program

Explore fire safety education programs and services for your home, school or community group. Select a program below to learn more or submit a request. All bookings are subject to availability and confirmation.

Fire Station Tours

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) welcomes schools, community groups and support organizations to visit our working fire stations.

These tours are designed to:

Show how firefighters work and train every day.
Explain firefighter tools, trucks and safety gear.
Teach simple, life-saving fire-safety tips your group can practice at home or at work.

Please note - our focus is public education; we do not host private celebrations or birthday parties.

Booking at a glance

Detail	What to know
When	Morning (between 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.) Afternoon (between 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.) Evening (at 7 p.m.)
Group size	Up to 25 people (one adult for every five children)
Age minimum	Participants must be 4 years or older
Lead time	Book 4-8 weeks in advance
Tour length	45-60 minutes
Stations	Station #2 (10 Jerry Potts Blvd W) Station #4 (2825 5 Ave N) Station #5 (10 Great Bear Blvd W)
Accessibility	Let us know about mobility or sensory needs when booking.
Parking	Limited on-site - please carpool.
Emergencies	Crews remain on duty; tours may pause or end if a call occurs. Keep transport available to leave if required. We will gladly reschedule if your tour is cancelled.
Important Reminders	Tours are offered as operational capacity allows. All requests are reviewed case-by-case and confirmed by email. If your preferred dates are unavailable, we'll suggest alternate options. Do not arrive more than five minutes before your confirmed tour time.

Fire Extinguisher Training

The Fire Prevention Bureau has changed their process for booking Fire Extinguisher Training. Please fill out the request form below and a Fire Prevention Officer will get back to you as soon as possible.

Fire Safety Presentations

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services can provide a variety of educational sessions customized to different groups including:

School presentations (pre-K to grade 12)
Sparky program (3-6 years old)
Fire Safety Talk (one-on-one for parents concerned with children playing with fire)

Additional presentations can be arranged by filling out the Public Education Event Request Form.

School Fire Drills

School Fire Drills are carried out every year in September and October by the Fire Prevention Bureau.

Smoke Alarm Checks

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services operation crews may visit some homes to check smoke alarms, free of charge, and make sure they are working effectively.

Smoke alarm facts:

It is recommended that smoke detectors are changed every 10 years
Smoke detectors have an expiry date and may stop working once this date is reached
If intermittent beeping is occurring, the smoke detector may need new batteries

If you would like your smoke alarms checked, please fill out this form.

If you have any questions, contact the fire prevention bureau, 403-320-3811 or fireprevention@lethbridge.ca

Safety campaigns and resources

Explore fire safety campaigns, educational materials and practical resources to help you prevent fires, prepare for emergencies and stay safe.

Backyard fire pits

Backyard fire pits in residential areas are allowed unless a city-wide fire ban is in effect.

Backyard fire pits must comply with all requirements outlined in the Open Burning Bylaw, including proper construction, fuel type (clean, dry firewood only), supervision and safe extinguishment. Review the Backyard Fire Safety & Open Burning Rules brochure.

Fire hydrants

Fire hydrants must remain clear and accessible at all times to support emergency response.

Parking or placing objects in front of hydrants delays firefighters and puts lives and property at risk. Review the Do Not Block Fire Hydrants brochure for clear requirements and safety information.

Smoke alarms

Residents are reminded that working smoke alarms are one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your family from a fire.

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home.
Test your smoke alarms monthly to ensure they are in good working condition.
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years or sooner if they stop working.

A home can burn quickly, leaving families with only a short window of time to escape once a fire starts. Properly functioning smoke alarms provide that early alert.

Every second counts when a fire breaks out, and the early warning provided by working smoke alarms can be lifesaving. Residents are encouraged to take action to make sure their smoke alarms work for them!

Fire safety first

Help keep Lethbridge safe from fire incidents with our Fire Safety First brochure. This informative guide provides practical tips for everyone, focusing on minimizing fire risks, reducing hazards and performing regular safety checks. By following these essential fire safety practices, we can create a safer community together.

Smart choices for LIFE

The Lethbridge Fire Prevention Bureau has partnered with Community Safety Net to present Fire Safety - Smart choices for LIFE, a family resource to educate and protect our youth. This initiative provides young people in our community with effective tools for preventing and reacting to fires. In addition, it offers parents practical ideas on keeping their home and children fire-safe.

Fire Prevention Week

Visit Fire Prevention Week. Find the campaign's current status and safety resources.

Emergency Preparedness Week

Visit Emergency Preparedness Week. Find the campaign's current status and safety resources.

Plan for your household and find official alert information.