Keeping your home well-maintained and being familiar with safety
practices go a long way to protecting youyou’re your
loved ones from experiencing the nightmare of a fire in the
home.
Protect your homePeace of mind comes with having a safe home
where all systems have been inspected and are in good working
order. What does this entail?
Smoke detectors- Make sure you install a working smoke
detector on every floor of your home. Be sure one is near sleeping
areas. If people in your home sleep with closed doors, install an
alarm in each of the closed bedrooms.
- Smoke detectors come in various forms
– electrically connected, battery powered or a
combination of both. The combination is the most effective,
continuing to function both when the power goes off and in the case
of battery failure. Smoke alarms with long-life lithium batteries
are also available on the market. The battery life is about 10
years.
- No matter what type of smoke detectors you
choose, be sure to test them on a regular basis. Once a month is
recommended. Keep them clean with periodic light vacuuming using a
soft bristle brush to remove dust from vents.
- If you hear the low-battery warning on
your detector, replace the battery immediately.
- Smoke detectors that are more than 10
years old may no longer be in good working order. They should be
replaced with new ones.
Your furnace- Keep your furnace properly maintained.
Have it inspected on a regular basis by a qualified
professional.
- Have the flue inspected regularly.
Furnaces can give off carbon monoxide which, while hard to detect,
is flammable.
- When installing a wood-burning stove, make
sure it is not too close to a wall. Follow the instructions
regarding required clearances.
- If you use a wood-burning appliance to
heat your home, creosote can build up in your chimney and pose a
fire hazard. Have your chimney checked for this.
Insulation- Adding insulation to your house can lead
to a fire if not properly installed. Have an electrician check your
electrical system and correct any deficiencies before you install
insulation.
- Make sure added insulation is kept well
away from ceiling light fixtures or other heat sources.
Electrical cords and appliances- Never overload electrical outlets or use
extension cords in place of additional outlets. Do not create
“octopus” connections. Plugging too many cords
into a single socket will overload the circuit.
- Regularly check your electrical cords and
plugs. Remove any that are worn or frayed.
- Use the right cord in the right outlet. Do
not break off the third prong on a plug to use it in a two-prong
outlet.
- Keep electrical cords away from sources of
heat and water.
- Do not lay electrical cords under
carpets.
- Choose appliances that shut off
automatically.
Dryers- Make sure your dryer is properly vented to
the outdoors.
- Empty the lint filter on your dryer before
each use.
- Never leave the dryer on when you go
out.
Flammable materials- Store all combustible and flammable
materials such as thinners, gasoline, paints and industrial
cleaners in approved containers and as far away as possible from
your furnace.
- Store gasoline in well-ventilated areas
only.
- Never store propane indoors.
- Keep workshop area clean and remove
garbage, wood shavings and oily rags on a regular basis.
Safe habitsIt’s essential to adopt habits
that help prevent fire. And it’s equally important to
know what to do should a fire break out in your home.
When cooking- Never leave a stove unattended. This is
one of the most common causes of fire. It’s easy to get
distracted, so use a timer to remind you that you need to turn off
your stove or oven.
- Don’t wear clothing with loose
long sleeves while cooking.
- The best way to put out a fire that starts
in a pot is to cover it with a lid. Keep a lid close at hand for
this purpose when cooking.
When using candles, matches and lighters- Always keep matches, lighters and burning
candles out of reach of children.
- Never leave burning candles unattended. If
you have candles burning in one room and move to another, for
example, put the candles out.
- Use sturdy candle holders that are made of
a material that doesn’t burn, like metal. Metal candle
holders are safest. Wood or plastic ones can catch fire, and glass
ones can break if they get too hot. Place them where they
can’t be knocked over. Be sure that they are far enough
away from anything flammable.
Have an evacuation plan – and practise- Make sure that everyone in your home knows
what to do if a fire occurs.
- Identify two ways out of every room.
- Decide on a pre-arranged meeting place
outside.
- Remember that it is important to get out
as quickly as possible and NEVER go back into a house where there
is a fire. The fire department should be called from a nearby
available phone.
- Practise your home fire escape plan on a
regular basis.
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