Improper disposal of smoking materials, such as tobacco products, is the leading cause of outdoor fires in Calgary. To help reduce outdoor fire risks, citizens should make an effort to properly dispose of smoking material. Remember to always call 911 to report a fire.
To Better Protect Your Homes, it is Recommended That You:
- Never put out cigarettes or smoking material in flower planters, peat moss, your lawn, or garden.
- Use a deep, wide, sturdy metal container with a lid, filled part way with sand or water that should be emptied regularly.
- Ensure that all butts and ash are out by soaking them with water prior to putting in the trash.
Smoking in Natural Areas
Extreme caution should be used in the city’s natural areas and green spaces where extremely dry vegetation covering the ground provides readily combustible fuel if an ignition source is applied.
Reducing Risk
- Do not store propane tanks, firewood, or yard waste next to your house.
- Prune all tree branches within two metres of the ground and plant new trees at least three metres apart.
- Assess potential fire hazards within 1.5 metres of your home, including natural debris, trees, and other structures.
Smoke Alarms
Having working smoke alarms saves lives – more than one-third of all fire fatalities are associated with having no smoke alarm.
Cigarette Litter
Did you know that cigarette litter is a major environmental concern and contributes to a disproportionate amount of litter in our city? Contrary to popular belief, those white sponge-like butts are not made from cotton or paper — instead, they’re a synthetic microfibre that takes years to break down and are unsightly around our city.
- Cigarette filters are one of the most littered items in the world.
- Chemicals that can leach out of cigarette butts include arsenic, ammonia, and lead. The chemicals found in one cigarette butt can leach out and contaminate approximately 7.5 litres of water within one hour. This contaminated water is lethal to aquatic life.
- Sunlight will degrade a cigarette filter and break it into very small particles. These small pieces do not disappear or biodegrade but wind up in the soil or swept in water, contributing to water pollution.
- The fines for the improper disposal of cigarette litter ranges from $250 to $500, with a maximum fine of $750 for throwing a butt out of a car window.
If you’re a smoker, consider buying a pocket ashtray available locally and from popular online retailers.
