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Fires Started by Smoking Cause Record Damage

May 27, 2010

If you smoke, always use an ashtray. This warning comes after Fire Rescue Services investigators found that fires started by smoking materials have already caused more property damage this year than in 2009 and 2008 combined.

So far in 2010, 20 smoking material fires have resulted in an estimated $4.1 million worth of property damage. This compares to 2009, when 65 fires caused $1.8 million of damage, and 2008, when 67 fires caused $1.9 million of damage.

These numbers represent the estimated value of homes, belongings, businesses, and/or vehicles, but they are only part of the picture says Wayne Pawlowski, chief of Fire Investigations.

“These fires also risked lives, and in some cases, lives were lost. This is tragic considering that it’s so easy to prevent this kind of fire,” said Chief Pawlowski. “Cigarettes and other materials that are not properly extinguished can smoulder undetected for days before igniting a fire. This can be avoided by using an ashtray and making sure your cigarette or match is completely out.”

Fires can start when plant pots are used as ashtrays or cigarette butts are carelessly thrown on the ground. Regardless of how they start, these fires are always preventable.

Edmontonians are an important partner when it comes to fire prevention and can help protect life, property and the environment by following these safety tips:

• Always extinguish smoking materials in deep ashtrays made of glass, metal or other non-combustible materials. For example, an empty coffee tin half-filled with sand is a safe ashtray.
• Make sure that matches and cigarette butts in ashtrays are wet before you put them in a garbage container.
• Never extinguish smoking materials in plant pots.
• Never discard smoking materials on the ground.
• Keep lighters, matches and cigarettes out of the reach of children.

In addition to being a fire hazard, throwing a cigarette on the ground is littering and subject to a $250 fine. The City of Edmonton’s litter-prevention program, Capital City Clean Up, provides free pocket ashtrays that make it easy to properly dispose of smoking materials. These handy containers are available at Edmonton City Hall.

If you wish to quit smoking, contact the Smokers' Hotline at 1-866-332-2322 or visit Alberta Quits for more information.