[FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY]

Fire Prevention Week 2017 [October 2, 2017]

Communications Toolkit

Contents

Introduction

Tips for Working With Your Local Fire Department

English Key Messages Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing

French Key Messages Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing

Additional Fire Prevention Week Key Messages (Based on 2017 Theme)

Benefits of Smoke-Free Policies

Social Media Content

English 2017 News Release Template – Partnership with Local Fire Department2

French 2017 News Release Template – Partnership with Local Fire Department

English 2016 News Release Template (Note: Contains Provincial Quotes)

English PSA Templates

French PSA Templates

Quick Fire Facts

Visuals

Highlights from American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Position Document on Environmental Tobacco Smoke

References

Introduction

Fire Prevention Week 2017 Toolkit

Last Update: September 26, 2017

Using This Document

This document was developed by a working group consisting of members from the Smoke-Free Housing Ontario coalition. The toolkit was developed the in spring/summer of 2017 to support Fire Prevention Week work in 2017 (October8-14).

The document is for internaluse and is not meant to be a stand-alone resource or for widespread public distribution. It would be appropriate to share this document with community partners or other health organizations working with public health units on Fire Prevention Week.

This document can be used to help plan earned media and social media outreach activities. In addition, it can also help public health units and partners prepare for media interviews and draft additional communications, marketing or other collateral materials.

Information on Smoke-Free Housing

For information on smoke-free housing visit

For evidence and recommendations related to smoke-free housing see pages 203-210 of the Evidence to Guide Action: Comprehensive tobacco control in Ontario (2016) report

Note: The report is a rigorous synthesis of the best available tobacco control research across the four pillars of tobacco control: industry, prevention, protection and cessation. The report summarizes 56 interventions and assesses their potential contribution to reduce tobacco use and associated burden in Ontario. This includes smoke-free housing.

Media Monitoring

Note: Any health units that generate earned media stories in their local communities that do not appear in PTCC’s daily Media Network News report are requested to reach out so they can be collected and logged into our news database.

Tips for Working with Your Local Fire Department

Why partner with your local fire department?

  • Strong leaders in the community who can champion smoke-free housing
  • Fire departments often have well established communication vehicles that can be leveraged for greater reach (print materials, website, social media)
  • Earned media opportunities
  • An opportunity to collaborate on a shared initiative
  • Some fire departments are already implementing campaigns; this could be an opportunity to tweak messages for joint promotion

Ways to partner:

  • Develop or adapt co-branding resources that can be distributed in the community
  • Partner at local community events
  • Joint media release and/or press events
  • Re-tweet, share or like fire department social media accounts and ask if they will do the same for yours
  • Incorporate smoke-free housing messaging on the fire department websites

Key dates:

  • Fire Prevention Week 2017 (October 8-14)
  • Ask your fire department if they have any other key dates locally that you could partner with them on that we may not be aware of

English Key Messages Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing

Disclaimer:No-smoking policies are specific to individual units (grandfathering clause means the policy only affects new residents).

Exposure to second-hand smoke in multi-unit housing is a serious public health issue.

  • 1 in 5 (21%) Ontarians who live in multi-unit housing experience second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure from outside their unit. (Note: Exposure in the last 6 months –according to 2015 data)[i]
  • Sources of exposure to second-hand smoke in multi-unit dwellings include air ducts, walls, floors, windows, elevator shafts, plumbing and electrical lines.
  • 2/3 of smoke from a cigarette not inhaled by a smoker contaminates the surrounding air[ii].
  • Second-hand smoke can move from patios, balconies and common areas into individual units.
  • Currently, provincial laws do not allow smoking in common areas such as hallways and stairwells, but residents are not protected from SHS entering their home from other units.

There is no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke.

  • Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and about 70 that can cause cancer.[iii]
  • Second-hand smoke negatively affects the health of all residents, especially infants and children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions[iv].
  • In children and infants, second-hand smoke exposure is a cause of respiratory illnesses, low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome[v].
  • Exposure in adults has been linked to cancer, respiratory problems, coronary heart disease and stroke[vi] .

The majority of Ontarians who live in multi-unithousingwant to live in a smoke-free building, but supply is not meeting demand.

  • Approximately one in four Ontarians live in multi-unit housing[vii].
  • 80% of people living in multi-unit housing want to live smoke-free[viii].
  • No smoking policies are gaining traction. Presently, there are over 250 condos, rental housing, and co-ops which have smoke-free policies in Ontario (2017).[ix][x]

No-smoking policies are legal and enforceable in rental properties, condos and housing co-ops.

  • Landlords have successfully adopted no-smoking policies which have been enforced by the Landlord and Tenant Board.
  • Co-ops and Condominiums are able to create enforceable no-smoking policies.
  • If you are a tenant or resident, you can ask for a no-smoking policy. A no-smoking policy means better health for you, your family, friends, and your neighbours.
  • For housing providers, a smoke-free policy lowers cleaning and maintenance costs and is a valuable amenity for tenants.
  • Examples of some 100 per cent smoke-free housing in Ontario:
  • Drewlo Holdings buildings (private rental)[xi]
  • Artscape Wychwood Barns in Toronto (non-profit housing)
  • Ottawa's Domicile One3One (condominium)[xii].
  • 100 per cent smoke-free buildings are in everyone's best interest and would contribute to a healthier Ontario.

French Key Messages Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing

Messages clés sur les immeubles à multiples logements sans fumée

Avis de non-responsabilité : les politiques sans fumée ciblent particulièrement les différentes unités (une clause de droits acquis signifie que la politique touche seulement les nouveaux résidents). Par politique sans fumée, on entend que toutes les unités sont sans fumée, sans exception.

L’exposition à la fumée secondaire dans les immeubles à multiples logements constitue un grave problème de santé publique.

  • Un Ontarien sur cinq (21 %) qui vit dans un immeuble à multiples logements est exposé à de la fumée secondaire provenant de l’extérieur de son unité. (Remarque : une exposition pendant au moins six mois, selon les données de 2015)[1]
  • Les sources d’exposition à la fumée secondaire dans les immeubles à multiples logements comprennent les conduits d’air, les murs, les planchers, les fenêtres, les cages d’ascenseur, la plomberie et les câbles électriques
  • Les deux tiers de la fumée de cigarette non inhalée par un fumeur contaminent l’air ambiant[2]
  • La fumée secondaire peut se déplacer des terrasses, des balcons et des aires communes aux logements
  • Actuellement, les lois provinciales ne permettent pas aux personnes de fumer dans des aires communes, comme les corridors ou les escaliers, mais cela n’empêche pas la fumée secondaire provenant de certains logements de gagner d’autres logements

Il n’existe pas d’exposition sans risque à la fumée secondaire.

  • La fumée de tabac contient plus de 4000 produits chimiques, y compris des centaines qui sont toxiques et environ 70 pouvant causer le cancer[3]
  • La fumée secondaire nuit à la santé de tous les résidents, particulièrement à celle des nourrissons et des enfants, des personnes âgées et des personnes qui ont des troubles de la santé préexistants[4]
  • Chez les enfants et les nourrissons, l’exposition à la fumée secondaire peut causer des maladies respiratoires, un faible poids à la naissance et la mort subite du nourrisson[5]
  • L’exposition chez les adultes a été liée au cancer, aux problèmes respiratoires, aux maladies coronariennes et aux accidents vasculaires cérébraux[6]

La majorité des Ontariens habitant dans un immeuble à logements multiples veulent vivre dans un milieu sans fumée, mais l’offre ne répond pas à la demande.

  • Près du quart des Ontariens vit dans un immeuble à logements multiples[7]
  • 80 % des personnes habitant dans un immeuble à logements multiples veulent vivre dans un milieu sans fumée[8]
  • Les politiques sans fumée gagnent du terrain. Depuis octobre 2017, plus de 250 fournisseurs de logement dans la province ont adopté une politique sans fumée[9]

Les politiques sans fumée sont valides et exécutoires dans les logements locatifs, les immeubles en copropriété et les logements coopératifs.

  • Les propriétaires ont adopté avec succès des politiques sans fumée qui ont été mises en vigueur par la Commission de la location immobilière.
  • Les logements coopératifs et les immeubles en copropriété peuvent créer des règlements exécutoires contre le tabagisme
  • Si vous êtes un locataire ou un résident, vous pouvez demander une politique sans fumée. Ce type de politique est synonyme d’une meilleure santé pour vous, votre famille, vos amis et vos voisins
  • Pour les fournisseurs de logement, une politique sans fumée réduit les coûts de nettoyage et d’entretien et constitue un précieux avantage pour les locataires
  • Exemples de logements entièrement sans fumée en Ontario :
  • Immeubles Drewlo Holdings (location privée)[10]
  • Artscape Wychwood Barns à Toronto (logements sans but lucratif)
  • Domicile One3One à Ottawa (immeubles en copropriété)[11]
  • Il est dans l’intérêt fondamental de tous et de toutes de vivre dans un immeuble sans fumée et cela contribue à une province plus en santé

Additional Fire Prevention Week Key Messages (Based on 2017 Theme)

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out™

  • Nearly half of all Americans have not developed a home fire escape plan according to a survey conducted by the National Fire Protection Association.
  • Home escape planning and practice is a preventive measure that can make a life-saving difference in a home fire.
  • Equally important is preventing home fire. As tobacco materials (cigarettes, cigars and pipes) are the #1 ignition source of fatal residential fires[xiii], Ontarians need to seriously consider adopting a no smoking policy in their home or rental building.

Fire Prevention Week Press Release -

Benefits of Smoke-Free Policies

Adopting no-smoking policies helps reduce the risk of fires, cleaning and maintenance costs and complaints from tenants

Fire Risk:

  • According to the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal, tobacco materials (cigarettes, cigars and pipes) remain the number 1 ignition source of fatal residential fires[xiv].
  • From 2006 -2015, for one quarter (25%) of all fire deathsLit Smokers’ materials (cigarettes, pipes) is the ignition source that is involved in the most fatal fires at 25% (166 fatal fires). [xv].
  • Fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials are preventable.
  • A no-smoking policy will reduce the risk of fires, which in turn could ensure lower insurance rates over the long run.

Cleaning maintenance:

  • Landlords report that it typically costs between 2-3 times as much money to turn over a smoking unit compared to a smoke-free unit[xvi].

Marketability:

  • No-smoking policies and 100% smoke-free buildings can increase the marketability of a residential multi-unit housing.

More information:

If you would like more information on smoke-free housing, please visit On this site you can find information for Landlords, Property Managers, Tenants, Co-op members, and Condo owners.

Social Media Content[xvii]

Fire Prevention week 2017 social media assets have been created using photographs of Archie Brindleton. Archie is the London Fire Safety Dog. The London Fire Department has provided permissions for Archie to be used in this provincial campaign and Archie has a signed a photo consent with the Middlesex-London Health Unit allowing the use of his photographs provincially.

Several social media assets have been developed for organizations to share locally for the 2017 campaign and can be accessed at the link below. Please note this is an unpublished page of the SFHO website and can only be accessed by URL, you cannot find this page when browsing the site.

Assets available:

  • Facebook and Instagram images
  • Titter images

(note the difference between the content is the size- they have been created to the particular specs required of each social media platform)

  • Infographic
  • Stock photos of Archie (to use on Instagram or to create paid ads) *Note you cannot use these photos to create different content (i.e. key messages etc). If you want to use them for something else please contact Donna Kosmack: for permissions.

It is recommended, should capacity exist, thateach health unit post one social media graphic/post a day throughout Fire Prevention Week.

Note: Please feel free to add your local Fire Department logo’s the social media materials provided, however content/design cannot be changed. This is to ensure greater consistency in look, feel and messaging. This does not limit a health unit from creating their own material should they desire (without the use of Archie) – but it is encouraged to use existing materials to ensure stronger message delivery and brand recognition of the campaign.

In September 2017 the coalition launched a Facebook page

**Please ensure your organization follows the page.

Social Media Plan

Please find attached, Appendix A, a sample social media calendar which provides a schedule for posting on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. It also outlines required tags for social media posts.

SFHO Fire Prevention Week URL: A campaign goal is to increase traffic to this site, please do so whenever possible.

You can also share the National Fire Protection Association website “Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out™” for additional content about Fire Protection Week.

A Note about our Actor/Model

Mr. Archie Brindleton (the dog) was kind enough to do a photoshoot for us and allow us to use his images free of charge, his only request was to be tagged in posts. Please be sure to remember to tag him. Refer to the required tags in the sample media calendar – Appendix A.

Sample Twitter Posts

If 1 person smokes in an apartment, everyone in the building is at risk of fire. Ask your landlord to adopt a smoke-free policy.

Landlords, protect yourselves from fire risks. Implement a smoke-free policy. Visit [INSERT SFHO URL] for more info.

Don’t allow smoking inside your home. Most home fires caused by smoking materials start inside the home.

Adopt a smoke-free policy. It shows youth that tobacco use is not the norm and can provide positive role modelling.

Living in a smoke-free building can reduce temptation and increase success for those trying to quit.

No smoking policies reduce the risk of cigarette fires. To learn more, please visit: [INSERT SFHO URL]

Smoking is a leading cause of fire deaths, but is preventable. Adopt a smoke-free policy. For more info: [INSERT SFHO URL]

Exposure to second-hand smoke in multi-unit dwellings is a serious public health issue. For more info, visit: [INSERT SFHO URL]

A no-smoking policy will reduce the risk of fires, which in turn could help lower insurance rates over the long run.

According to the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal, tobacco materials remain the #1 ignition source of fatal residential fires.

Adopting a smoke-free policy in your home or rental building and having 2 escape routes in case of a fire can save lives.

Sample Facebook Messages

Adopting a smoke-free policy in your home or rental building and having 2 escape routes in case of a fire can save lives.

Landlords, protect yourselves from fire risks. Implement a smoke-free policy. Please visit

Don’t allow smoking anywhere inside your home. Most home fires caused by smoking materials start inside the home.

Adopt a smoke-free policy. It shows youth that tobacco use is not the norm and can help provide positive role-modelling.

Living in a smoke-free building can reduce temptation and increase success for those trying to quit.

Smoke-free policies reduce the risk of cigarette fires. To learn more, please visit

Smoking is a leading cause of fire deaths, but is preventable. Adopt a smoke-free policy. For more information, please visit:

Exposure to second-hand smoke in multi-unit dwellings is a serious public health issue. For more information, please visit:

A smoke-free policy will reduce the risk of fires, which in turn could ensure lower insurance rates over the long run.

According to the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal, tobacco materials (cigarettes, cigars and pipes) remain the number 1 ignition source of fatal residential fires. We encourage you to adopt a smoke-free policy. For more information, please visit:

For added protection, the fire service recommends installing smoke alarms in each bedroom.

Get smoke alarms that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames.

Check smoke alarm batteries at least once every year. This is a good practice to ensure your safety.

English 2017 News Release Template – Partnership with Local Fire Department

[INSERT LOGO]

For Immediate Release
October XX, 2017

Smoking, a leading cause of fatal residential fires in [INSERT CITY NAME]

Smoke-free homes and multi-unit dwelling can save lives

[INSERT CITY NAME], ON - October XX, 2017 – October 8 to 14 is Fire Prevention Week and [INSERT FIRE DEPARTMENT] and [INSERT HEALTH UNIT] are encouraging residents to take action and reduce the risk of house fires and potential fatalities.

“Homes can be completely engulfed in flames in a matter of minutes,” says [INSERT FIRE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON]. “As fires can spread quickly, it is important for people to reduce their risk by not smoking in their homes and to dispose of their butts safely when smoking outside.”