Drier than normal weather plus vivid memories of Ontario's many large fires and evacuations in 2011, has a number of cottage and fire safety organizations working together to make fire prevention and preparedness a top priority for anyone who owns or rents a woodland property this season.

In its sixth successful year, the "Peace of Mind for Your Piece of Heaven" cottage fire and carbon monoxide (CO) safety awareness campaign is bigger than ever, highlighted in 2012 by a new contest on Facebook.

"We're asking cottagers to be extra vigilant and take precautions to prevent cottage fires and carbon monoxide tragedies this season," says Ted Wieclawek, Chair of the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council. "Being properly equipped with working smoke alarms and CO alarms can provide those precious seconds to escape in an emergency."

The council, the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations (FOCA), The Ministry of Natural Resources, Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services branch, Kidde Fire and CO Alarms, local fire departments and nearly 100 individual cottage and lake associations have collaborated on this year's effort.

The new Safe at the Cottage Contest will reward cottage owners in Ontario who best demonstrate the spirit of fire and carbon monoxide safety. Cottagers are invited to share photos or stories about how they made their property 'CO Safe' or 'FireSmart' indoors or outdoors on the campaign Facebook page at www.facebook.com/safeatthecottage. Prizes up for grabs include FireSmart Safety Toolkits from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Kidde Smoke Alarms, Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Escape Ladders, Xplornet Internet 4G rural Internet and 32 GB Tablet with Wi-Fi, and, subscriptions to Cottage Life magazine. Full details can be found on Facebook site. Winners will be selected by a judging panel from participating partners. The contest runs from Thursday, May 17 to August 31st, 2012.

"Each cottager who takes fire safety seriously helps the whole cottage community remain safe," says Michael Gravelle, Minister of Natural Resources. "Following MNR's FireSmart tips and using smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can help give you peace of mind so you can enjoy family time at the cottage."

"As the voice of cottager and lake associations throughout Ontario, FOCA is intent on helping drive greater awareness about the threat of wild fires, cottage fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. More than 60 of our partner cottage property organizations are onboard to help spread the word," says Terry Rees, executive director of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations.

"Most people believe that fire, or carbon monoxide exposure, won't happen to them but every year numerous families do indeed face life-threatening emergencies in cottage country," says Carol Heller, a safety specialist with Kidde Canada. "So to stay safe, cottagers need to ensure they have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in compliance with provincial laws and municipal bylaws, and, replace any smoke alarms past their 10-year lifespan and CO alarms over seven years old."