Careless Smoking

Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths in Regina.  These fires are caused either by a person falling asleep while smoking – usually in the living room – or cigarettes and ashes that are discarded before fully cold. 

Tips to Prevent a Fire Caused by Careless Smoking

• Use large, heavy ashtrays that do not tip over.
• Don’t let ashtrays become so full that hot ashes might spill over the side.
• Douse or soak butts and ashes with water before dumping them in a wastebasket.
• Never smoke in bed or when drowsy, intoxicated, or medicated. A dropped cigarette can smolder for hours before bursting into flames.
• If there has been a party where people have been smoking and drinking, check your furniture for dropped cigarette butts.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, away from children’s reach. Ensure lighters have child-resistant safety features.
• Teach young children that lighters and matches are not toys, and not to touch them.

Teach young children they should tell a grown-up if they see an unattended cigarette burning or a lighter or match lying around.