Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) is reminding Winnipeggers to carefully dispose of smoking materials after an early morning blaze.

On Saturday, December 28, WFPS crews extinguished an overnight house fire believed to be caused by the accidental poor disposal of smoking materials.

WFPS is providing residents with tips to keep their homes safe by disposing of smoking materials carefully:

  1. Always use a deep sturdy ashtray and place it away from anything that can burn
  2. Before you throw away butts and ashes, make sure they are out - dousing them in water or sand is the best way to do this
  3. Never discard butts in vegetation, mulch, potted plants, landscaping or peat moss, or other things that could easily ignite
  4. Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches, and other smoking materials up high out of the reach of children, in a locked cabinet