As some in the condominium industry may have heard, I experienced a fire in my home over the recent holiday season. Thankfully, everyone is safe and the damage was relatively modest. That said, we were extraordinarily lucky. But for a good Samaritan, the outstanding response of Toronto Fire Services, and sheer good fortune, the outcome could have been catastrophic. Having had a few weeks to reflect on the incident, two themes have remained front of mind: gratitude, and the critical importance of fire safety and safety rules.
Gratitude is something we do not always pause to acknowledge in condominium living, yet it is foundational to how our communities function. Condominium corporations rely on the time and commitment of volunteer board and committee members, the diligence of property managers and administrative staff, the vigilance of concierge and superintendents, the expertise of third-party contractors and professionals, and, not least, the care and consideration of neighbours and residents. It is a long list, and every role matters. Moments of crisis tend to bring that reality into sharp focus. Gratitude for all those who enable a condominium corporation to operate effectively is both warranted and always welcome.
The fire at my home also reinforced for me that safety rules, particularly fire safety rules, are not abstract or bureaucratic exercises. Personally, my (mistaken) attitude had previously been that many fire safety regulations were “nice but not absolutely necessary,” as fires tend to happen in movies and far less often in real life. While I understood that it was better to err on the side of caution and rules should be followed, I did not fully appreciate how critical they truly are. Reflecting on my own experience, I now recognize how mistaken that view was. Fire safety regulations and rules are vital and must be closely adhered to.
Common requirements such as keeping corridors and stairwells clear, maintaining self-closing fire doors, prohibiting the storage of personal items in electrical or mechanical rooms, and enforcing balcony-use restrictions exist for very real reasons. They can determine whether smoke spreads, whether residents can safely evacuate, and whether first responders can do their jobs effectively. Similarly, protocols around smoke alarms, fire alarm systems, sprinkler maintenance, and resident education are not merely best practices; they are often the difference between a manageable incident and a devastating loss. Even rules that can feel inconvenient, such as limits on certain appliances, restrictions on candles or open flames, or enforcement of barbecue and e-bike charging policies, are grounded in hard lessons learned from past fires.
For boards, managers, and industry professionals, my experience served as a personal reminder of why consistent enforcement and ongoing communication about safety rules truly matter. Fire safety is not about being rigid or punitive; it is about protecting lives, homes, and entire communities. And when things go right, it is worth taking a moment to express gratitude to everyone who plays a role in keeping our condominium communities safe and operating smoothly.
