Smoking Safety

• Use a deep, non-combustible ashtray that cigarettes can fall into
• Wet cigarette butts and matches before putting them in a garbage container to prevent them from smouldering and starting a fire
• Never extinguish smoking materials in plant pots, potting soil, peat moss or other types of soil as they contain combustible materials
• Never discard smoking materials on the ground, in the garbage or in dry, grassy areas. In addition to being a fire hazard, it is also considered littering and is subject to a $250 fine.

• Keep smoking materials, including lighters and matches, out of reach of children

• Provide smokers with large, deep, sturdy, non-combustible ashtrays
• Wet cigarette butts and ashes before throwing them out or burying them in the sand
• Refrain from smoking on balconies if it is restricted by the property owner

• Never leave charging e-cigarettes unattended
• Battery failures can lead to small explosions

• Never smoke in a home where a person is using oxygen as medical oxygen can cause materials to ignite more easily and make fires burn at a faster rate than normal
• Keep oxygen cylinders at least 5 feet (1.5 metres) from a heat source, open flame or electrical appliance (i.e., space heater)
• Do not use candles, matches or wood stoves in a home where medical oxygen is in use
• Keep body oil, hand lotion and items containing oil or grease away when oxygen is in use
• Never use aerosol sprays containing combustible materials near oxygen

• Do not light a cigarette while wearing a nasal cannula
• Do not smoke inside a home where oxygen cylinders are present

The "No Smoking" sign/decal should be weather resistant and must be visible in plain sight. These "No Smoking" signs/decals can be in the form of stickers, signs or any other marker that clearly defines the balcony as a non-smoking area. The signs/decals will serve as a reminder to residents and guests that smoking is not permitted. Although there is no size requirement, the "No Smoking" sign/decal should always be clearly visible.

Although a standard ashtray is acceptable, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services recommends a smoking material receptacle that is:

• designed for the exterior of a building
• enclosed
• built of non-combustible material
• free-standing or wall mounted

Based on the size of balconies of multi-family buildings, one ashtray/smoking material receptacle is considered to be acceptable. Just make sure it is safely emptied on a regular basis.

It is the property owner or agent's responsibility to maintain their properties according to the National Fire Code - 2023 Alberta Edition. As such, this voluntary program will remain the owner and agent's responsibility; they will purchase the ashtrays/smoking material receptacles and signs/decals for their building(s).

Yes, it is up to the property owner or agent to deem each balcony of the building as either a smoking area or a non-smoking area. As such, if the owner or agent agrees to participate in this program, each individual unit will be provided either a "No Smoking" sign/decal or an ashtray/smoking material receptacle.

It is the resident's responsibility to maintain their ashtray/smoking material receptacle. Depending on the regularity of smoking, empty your ashtray/smoking material receptacle before it is full. Ensure that you soak all smoking material in water before it is disposed of, in order to prevent smouldering. After emptying your ashtray/smoking material receptacle, wipe the inside clean to ensure all smoking material has been removed. Report any damaged ashtrays/smoking material receptacles or "No Smoking" signs/decals to your property owner or agent immediately.

It is the building owner or agent's responsibility to manage this activity. If you are aware of smoking occurring in a non-smoking area or if you see smoking materials being disposed of improperly, you are strongly encouraged to notify the building manager to intercede.