First-Time Living on Your Own
If You’re Living Off‑Campus
Know your rights. Know your responsibilities. Know how to stay safe!
Whether you’re renting your first apartment, or settling into a place of your own, fire safety is a life skill every person needs.
- Smoke alarm rules for tenants and landlords, including the importance of testing and maintaining your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Making a fire escape plan with roommates.
- Cooking safety and preventing kitchen fires.
Top smoke alarm/fire safety tips:
- Smoke alarm should be installed on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas.
- A smoke alarm will let you know if there is a fire in your home.
- Ensure that smoke alarms are tested frequently by your landlord. Once a month testing is recommended by pressing the test button.
- Replace batteries at least once a year, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Replace smoke alarms every 10 years, or earlier if they stop working properly.
- Make and practice a home fire escape plan with those you live with - know two ways out of every room, if possible.
- Never remove the batteries from the smoke alarm to stop in from beeping.
- Know the different beeping sounds: a chirp, for example, means your battery needs to be changed.
- Know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant regarding fire safety.
- If the smoke alarm sounds, everyone should get outside. Stay outside until it's safe to return.
Resources
Ready-to-use resources that make it easy to educate residents on fire safety, smoke alarms, and safe living practices for those living on their own for the first time.
- First Time Living on Your Own Fire Safety Checklist
- Printable Test Your Smoke Alarm Day Campaign Posters
- Door-to-door Campaign Door Knocker
- Tenant/Landlord Start the Conversation Email Templates
- Social Media Resources
Download New Living On Your Own Resources
Additional downloadable resources available for families, and elementary school level children:
- Lesson plans for both primary and junior grade levels
- Resources and activities for parents to complete with their children, including a home fire safety checklist
- Smoke alarm safety activity sheets, including a "Beepa-themed" colouring sheet and home fire escape grid
Download Educator Kit and Existing Resources
Partnership with London Fire
x Fanshawe College
Office of the Fire Marshal has partnered with the London Fire Department and Fanshawe College to support Test Your Smoke Alarm Day of Action. Together, they are helping students and young adults who may be living on their own for the first time learn lifesaving fire safety habits, including testing smoke alarms monthly, preventing cooking fires, and knowing what to do in an emergency.
Help raise awareness about lifesaving fire safety practices by connecting with your community where they are, at home. Download and use this door knocker resource to support your Test Your Smoke Alarm Day of Action outreach efforts and share important fire safety messages with residents, including students and young adults who may be living on their own for the first time.
By participating in this campaign, you are helping young adults and people living on their own for the first time be proactive members of their communities when it comes to fire safety. For more resources, downloadable worksheets, posters, and videos, check out our resources page.
Let’s all remember: Working smoke alarms are the only way you will be alerted to a fire in your home. You could be saved by the beep!
Want more Beepa?
Our education kits contain everything you need to teach the ins and outs of smoke alarm safety...but sometimes you might want to go the extra mile. Our partners at the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council have "Classroom Kits" available for purchase - including your very own Beepa plush toy.
