Fire Prevention Week 2026
For the 2026 edition of Fire Prevention Week, the Montréal Fire Department (SIM) aims to raise awareness about the fire risks associated with improperly extinguished cigarette butts. Every year, these fires cause significant damage and can lead to the relocation of families, the destruction of buildings, and substantial property losses.
Preventing fires caused by cigarette butts is a shared responsibility. By adopting safe habits and staying vigilant, everyone can help protect their family, their neighbours, and their community.
Always use a safe ashtray
Place an ashtray in a sheltered area, away from the wind, on a stable, non-combustible surface. Ideally, use a metal container filled with damp sand and empty it regularly.
Never dispose of cigarette butts in:
- Flower pots
- Planter boxes
- Mulch
- Potting soil or any similar combustible material
Even when they appear to be extinguished, cigarette butts can retain enough heat to start a fire.
The danger can last for hours
A fire can ignite up to 4 or 5 hours after a cigarette butt has been crushed. Never underestimate the risks associated with an improperly extinguished cigarette butt.
The consequences can be devastating
Every year, families are displaced, buildings are destroyed, and communities are affected by fires caused by smoking materials.
Check your smoke alarms
Make sure you have at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home and near sleeping areas. Test them regularly by pressing the test button to ensure they are working properly.
