Fire Prevention

Ark / Fire Prevention

Winter Safety

The winter season is the worst season for fires in Canada. That is why all Canadians must be mindful of the importance of fire prevention and safety. During the winter, we must heat our homes, most of our meals are prepared and eaten indoors, our clothing is dried indoors and people who smoke tend to do so indoors. Besides following the advice provided for in the other fact sheets on this site, for the winter remember that:

  • Heating appliances such as space heaters should not have anything combustible closeby and need at least one metre (three feet) of space around them. Inspect the electrical cord attached. If it overheats, you have a fire hazard. Keep young children away from them.
  •  Electrical and heating systems can fail and become fire hazards.  Ensure they are regularly checked by a professional, especially prior to the winter season when fireplaces,heaters, appliances and other electrical equipment are in maximum use.
  •  Smoking while in bed, tired or under the influence of alcohol or medication is the most common cause of fires that kill.
  •  Most chimney fires occur with wood-burning fireplaces. Ensure chimneys are cleaned and professionally inspected regularly. Burn only small quantities of wood at a time.
  •  Teach children that fire is not a toy; it is a tool we use to cook food and heat our homes.
  • Educate your children about the dangers of fire and make sure they know that all fires,even small ones, can spread very quickly.
  • Never use a flammable liquid near a flame or source of spark. Be aware of hidden sources like water heater pilot lights, electric motors or heaters. Never smoke while pouring or using flammable liquids.
  • If even a small doubt exists about any appliance/equipment that you use, do not hesitate to contact a qualified technician. It may save your life, and the lives of your loved ones.

Fireplace Safety
A Fireplace becomes dangerous when accumulated tar or creosote catches fire or from uncontrolled burning or over-fuelling. Other causes of fireplace-related fires are substandard design or installation and lack of safety precautions.

  • Open the damper before lighting the fire, and keep it open until the ashes are cool enough to touch.
  • Ensure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house.
  • Do not store combustible materials such as paper or wood too close to the fireplace.
  • Use a screen in front of the fireplace opening to protect children and to prevent embers from escaping and igniting carpets, etc.
  • Never leave children alone near a fireplace.
  • Use dry, well-seasoned wood in small amounts.
  • Have chimneys cleaned and serviced at regular intervals by a professional.
  • Never overload your fireplace.
  • Never use charcoal starter fluids, gasoline or any flammable substance to start fires.
  • When using artificial logs, burn only one at a time and follow instructions on the wrapping.
  • Always place the ashes in a metal container and take them outside the house.

 

The Winter Season and Carbon Monoxide
It is important to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. However, carbon monoxide detectors do not replace the need for prevention through yearly maintenance and inspection of heating systems and appliances.

  • Smoke inhalation from fires is the most common form of carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Cigarette smoke and vehicle exhaust are the most common sources of regular carbon monoxide exposure.
  • There must be an adequate supply of air for complete burning or combustion, or an excessive amount of carbon monoxide will accumulate indoors. Ensure that your wood stove or fireplace is not competing – for long periods of time – with your clothes dryer,kitchen, bathroom and attic vent fans, central vacuum cleaners and kitchen barbecues, which exhaust air from the home and so starve the furnace or the fireplace of oxygen.
  • Proper venting of fuel-burning appliances to the outside is also essential to prevent collection of carbon monoxide gas inside buildings.
  • Never insulate or try to seal up a drafty hood, wind cap or exhaust vent on any natural gas appliance (furnace, water heater, range, dryer, space heater or fireplace). Keep all fuel-burning equipment free of lint, dust and trash. Don’t store anything close to the equipment that could restrict air circulation.
  • Do a visual inspection of the equipment to look for signs of equipment problems, such as soot on a fireplace face, water collecting near a burner or rusted venting. If even a small doubt exists, have the equipment inspected by a qualified technician.
  • Periodically check vent pipes between gas appliances and the chimney for corrosion or rust.
  • Equipment that uses natural gas should show a clear blue flame—a yellow or orange flame may indicate a problem. If a problem appears, call a qualified technician.
  • Ensure a source of fresh air is available, for an example an open window or flue, when operating a wood-burning fireplace.

Source: Fire Prevention Canada

Fire Prevention - 04/13/2013

Smoke Detectors

Location, Installation, Testing & Cleaning  

  • Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
  • For best performance, an alarm should be mounted on the ceiling near the centre of the room, hall or stairway, and at the head of each stairway leading to an occupied area.
  • Optimum location for wall mounts is at least 15 cm (6 inches) from the ceiling but not more than 30 cm (19 inches) from it.
  • Avoid installing where the temperature is less than 5° C (41°F) or exceeds 48°C (119 °F)
  • Keep alarms away from doors and windows.
  • Never locate an alarm in front of an air register, fans or vents.
  • Keep alarms at least 60 cm (2 feet) from any corner.
  • Don’t recess an alarm.
  • Smoke alarms in rooms with ceiling slopes greater than 30 cm (one foot) rise per 2.4 m
    (eight feet) horizontally should be located on the high side of the room.
  • Avoid locating an alarm at the peak of an “A” frame type ceiling.
  • Never paint a smoke alarm.
  • Keep alarms 60 to 90 cm (two to three feet) away from light fixtures.

When having an alarm connected into the electrical wiring system of a house you should:

  • Use a qualified electrical contractor.
  • Never install the alarm in the electrical circuit except at the main panel.  Alarms must also never be installed in a circuit connected to an on/off switch.
  • Check the alarm when installation is complete.

Mark your calendar: Testing & Cleaning
Test your smoke alarm monthly and clean it every 6 months. Mark it on your calendar so that you don’t forget. Things to remember when testing your smoke alarm:

  • Ensure that power is being transmitted to the alarm and that it will activate in the presence of smoke.
  • Test your smoke alarm by pressing the test button.
  • Even alarms with a pilot light that indicate power is being transmitted, should be tested regularly.
  • Battery-operated smoke alarms will warn you when batteries need replacing.  Despite this, make it a habit to change the batteries yearly.
  • When you’ve been away from home for a few days, check your alarm on your return to ensure it is working properly.
  • Remember, your smoke alarm can’t protect you if the batteries have been removed or a plug has been disconnected.
  • The lifespan of a typical smoke alarm is about 10 years, but some models last as little as
    5 years.
  • To clean the alarm, open the cover and gently vacuum the interior of it. Frequently, the alarm will sound while the unit is being cleaned.

 

Source: Fire Prevention Canada

Fire Prevention - 04/13/2013

Safety Tips For The Home

Kitchen

  • Avoid loose long sleeves when cooking.
  • Check kettles and toasters for damaged electrical cords and thermostats.
  • Use appliances that have an automatic shut-off.
  • Keep a timer handy to remind you when the oven and burners should be switched off.
  • If you take medication that causes drowsiness, do not use cooking appliances.
  • Use a temperature-controlled electric skillet or deep-fryer for frying.
  • Never leave your cooking unattended.
  • Use appropriate cooking appliances and keep them clean.
  • Keep a pot cover nearby to “put a lid on it” in the event of a fire.

Living Room

  • Fireplace: always use a fire screen, ensuring it is the appropriate size for the fireplace opening.
  • Do not overload electrical outlets or use extension cords in the place of additional outlets.
  • Smokers should check furniture for fallen cigarettes or embers, which can smoulder undetected for several hours before bursting into flames.
  • Ensure careful use of smoking materials and extinguish in water before disposal.
  • Never leave cigarettes in an ashtray unattended.
  • Use ashtrays with a double rim and deep centre.
  • Keep matches, lighters and lit candles out of the reach of children.
  • Never leave lit candles unattended.

Bedroom

  • Install at least one smoke alarm outside each sleeping area. For improved safety, install a smoke alarm in every bedroom.
  • Check electrical appliances regularly: electric blankets, heating pads, curling irons,
  • radios, televisions, irons.
  • Bedrooms should be non-smoking areas.

Basement and Attic

  • Remove all combustible and flammable materials from the basement and attic.
  • Store gasoline in well-ventilated areas.
  • Do not store propane indoors.
  • Use only approved containers to store and transport gasoline.
  • Have a thorough yearly maintenance check of the furnace carried out by a professional.
  • When replacing an old furnace, consult a professional to determine the most safe, economical and efficient system for your home.
  • Chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year.

Garage and Workshop

  • Flammable materials – thinners, gasoline, paints, industrial cleaners – should be stored
  • neatly in approved containers and away from possible ignitable sources.
  • Do not smoke, or leave matches or lighters in the garage or workshop.
  • Install and know how to properly use the appropriate fire extinguisher for the garage/workshop.
  • Keep the area clean. Remove garbage, paper products, oily rags and wood shavings regularly.

Source: Fire Prevention Canada

Fire Prevention - 04/13/2013

Kitchen Fires & Cooking Safety

Kitchen fires due to cooking oil or grease igniting into flames cause the fastest-spreading and most destructive type of residential fire. When cooking with grease or oil, it is extremely important that you plan ahead so that you will know how to react fast to fire.  Here are some tips:

Deep Frying

  • The safest way to deep fry foods such as chicken or fries is to use a thermostatically-controlled electric skillet or a deep fat fryer.  DO NOT deep fry items in an open pot on a stove element

Pan Frying

  • Keep a pan lid or cookie sheet handy in case grease or oil catches fire. The lid or cookie sheet should be slid over the top of the pan to smother the fire.
  • Never attempt to move a flaming pot or pan away from the stove.  The movement can fan the flames and so spread the fire.  The pan will also likely be very hot, causing you to drop it.   In either case, you are placing yourself at great risk. Your immediate action should be to smother the fire by sliding a lid or flat cookie sheet over the pan.  Afterwards, turn off the heat and exhaust the fan, allowing the pan time to cool.  Most  importantly, react fast, because grease fires spread very quickly.

Oven Cooking

  • Keep your oven clean. Grease and food splatters can ignite at high temperatures.
  • Ensure that you wear oven mitts when removing cooking containers to avoid serious burns.
  • Follow the cooking instructions for the recipe and the product you are using.
  • Broiling is a popular method of cooking. When you use your broiler, place the rack 5 to 8 cm (two to three inches) from the broiler element. Always place a drip pan beneath the broiler rack to catch the fat drippings. Never use aluminum foil for this purpose because the fat accumulated on the foil could catch fire or spill over.

Microwave Cooking

Microwave ovens are a marvellous time-saving tool, but there are three characteristics of microwave cooking you should be cognisant of:

  • The heat is reflected by the metal interior.
  • Heat can pass through glass, plastic and other materials.
  • Heat is absorbed by the food.
  • Foods, like those in high-fat or sugar, can heat very rapidly but feel cool to the touch. Pastry fillings can be very hot, but the crust cooler. Milk in baby bottles could be boiling, but the bottle itself not very hot to the touch. Use caution at all times.
  • Do not use tin foil or any other metal objects in the microwave.  If a fire occurs, keep the door closed and unplug the unit.  Call a qualified technician to ensure the microwave is in proper working order before using it again.

Source: Fire Prevention Canada

Fire Prevention - 04/13/2013

Home Heating Safety

Deaths and injuries from the careless use and improper installation of heating units can be prevented! Here are some basic rules which will help you avoid the anguish of personal injury or property loss.

Ask a heating expert to help you choose the safest, most efficient and economical unit for your home.
Don’t try install your own heating system. Leave it to a qualified technician.
When buying a new home – ask a specialist to inspect the heating system. Purchasing a new furnace and installing new wiring is expensive.
Solid Fuel

  • A solid fuel heating system uses wood, coal or fuel pellets.
  •  Don’t choose a unit that is too large for our needs. Select a heating unit that is appropriate to the size of the floor space you want to heat.
  •  The unit should be properly positioned, according to the manufacturer’s specifications for correct clearance.
  •  Install your unit close to a chimney.

Electric

  • Electric heating includes baseboard, portable and forced-air systems.
  • Curtains should not hang over an electric baseboard heater.
  • Electric portable heaters are designed to be used to supplement your main heating source.
  • They are intended for smaller floor spaces.
  • Units must be properly maintained. Frayed cords and loose plugs can cause fires.
  • Never remove the third prong on a three-prong plug or bend it back to use a two-prong outlet.
  • The third prong is a necessary ground for the appliance or heater.
  • Never use extension cords to run electric heaters or any major appliance.

Liquid Fuel

  • Liquid fuels include oil, wasted oil and kerosene. Oil fuel heaters such as oil furnaces and oil- fired space heaters pose certain hazards which can be avoided.
  • Fuel must be stored in an approved container/tank.
  • Regular servicing by a qualified technician is necessary for the efficient and safe operation of your furnace.
  • Ventilation systems for oil-fuelled units must be inspected frequently.
  • Waste oil heaters are designed for use in commercial buildings and should not be installed in a residence.
  • Kerosene heaters must be supervised at all times. They are dangerous to children and pets.
  • Kerosene heaters should only use fuel which is specified by the manufacturer.
  • Never refuel a kerosene unit indoors, or when the unit is hot.

Gas Fuelled

  • Vents must be checked frequently to prevent blockage.
  • Portable gas heaters should never be installed in poorly ventilated areas. Deadly carbon monoxide gases may build up in such areas.
  • A supply of fresh air is essential when operating a gas-fired unit.

 

Safety Tips

  • Keep all heaters a safe distance from combustibles.
  • Never hang clothing on, or near the heater to dry.
  • Never use your stove or clothes dryer to heat your home.
  • Don’t use a hair dryer under the covers to warm your bed, it could set it on fire!
  • Keep bed clothes and toys away from baseboard heaters.
  • Never place wet wood on top of a wood stove to dry. Keep your wood stored under cover in a dry, vented area.
  • Frequently check your wood stove for defects such as cracks and swelling.
  • Second-hand appliances should be checked by a qualified person before use.
  • Have your local fire department check your home for safety hazards.
  • Develop an emergency escape plan for your family, and practice it regularly.
  • In case of fire, get out and stay out! Use a neighbour’s phone to call the emergency response number in your area.

Source: Fire Prevention Canada

Fire Prevention - 04/13/2013

Fire Safety for Babysitters

As the babysitter, you are responsible for the children in your care. Here are some important points you need to know if there’s a fire emergency in the home where you babysit.

Before the parents leave:

  • Write down the complete address and phone number of the place where you are babysitting and phone numbers for:
    • Fire, Police, Ambulance, Poison Control – often one number – 911.
    • Where the parents can be reached.
    • Neighbour(s).
    • Keep this information in your pocket so that it’s with you at all times and handy in case
      of an emergency.

 

Plan Your Escape

If there is a fire while you are in charge, you must know what to do:

  • Is there a fire escape plan? If not, develop one.
  •  Identify all escape routes.
  •  Find at least two ways out of each room.
  •  Plan how you and the children will escape safely.
  •  Decide on an outside meeting place.
  •  Ask for a demonstration of the smoke alarm.

Guide to Fire Safety

The best way to keep fire safe is to be watchful of the children in your charge:

  • Never leave children unsupervised.
  •  Check on sleeping children regularly.
  •  Keep matches and lighters out of their reach.
  •  Do not light candles while babysitting.
  •  Don’t smoke on the job.
  •  Keep children away from the stove, hot liquids, electric lamps and space heaters.
  •  Keep space heaters at least 1 metre (40 inches) from drapes, furniture and bedding.
  •  Cook safely and only if you have permission.
  •  Turn pot handles in to avoid children knocking them over or pulling them down.
  •  Smother a pan fire with a lid. Never use water.
  • Make sure you know what cooking materials can be used for the microwave.

Burn Prevention

  • Always test hot foods and liquids before feeding.
  • Fire Safety: What to do, because fire spreads fast – don’t delay!
  • If your clothes catch fire, STOP, DROP & ROLL on the floor to smother the flames.
  • Cool minor burns with cold water. If your skin is blistered, charred or dead white, get emergency help immediately.
  • When you see flames, smell smoke or hear the smoke alarm, get everybody out of the house.
  • Feel the door first. If it isn’t hot, open it very slowly.
  • If there is fire or smoke use another exit.
  • Crawl low under smoke – the air near the floor is safer to breathe.
  • If you cannot escape, close the door and seal around it with cloth to prevent smoke from entering the room.
  • Always use the stairs and never the elevators.
  • Designate a meeting place a safe distance from the house and make sure everyone is there.
  • Take the children to a neighbour.
  • Phone the emergency number from the neighbour’s home.
  • Give the complete address, describe the situation and inform the operator if anyone is still inside.
  • Stay on the phone until you are told to hang up.
  • Do not go back to the house for any reason.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS
FIRE:
POLICE:
AMBULANCE:
PARENTS:
NEIGHBOUR:
THIS ADDRESS:

 

Source: Fire Prevention Canada

Fire Prevention - 04/13/2013

Electrical Safety

The Dangers of Extension Cords

  • Extension cords are a common cause of electrical fires. That is why you must be careful to use only extension cords that are rated for the power used by the device they are powering.
  •  Extension cords must never be run inside walls or under rugs or furniture. They can be damaged by traffic or heavy furniture and start arcing, which can lead to a fire.
  • Extension cords can get warm during use and must be able to dissipate this heat or they can start a fire.

Signs of an Electrical Problem

  • Flickering lights. If the lights dim every time you turn on an appliance it means that the circuit is overloaded or has a loose connection.
  • Sparks. If sparks appear when you insert or remove a plug, it could be a sign of loose connections.
  • Warm electrical cord. If an electrical cord is warm to the touch, the cord is underrated or defective.
  • Frequent blown fuses or broken circuits. A fuse that continues to blow or circuit breaker that keeps tripping is an important warning sign of problems.
  • Frequent bulb burnout. A light bulb that burns out frequently is a sign that the bulb is too high in wattage for the fixture.

How to Avoid Dryer Fires

  • Lack of maintenance is the number one cause of dryer fires. That is why it is critical to clean the lint filter before and after each use, and wipe away any lint that has accumulated around the drum.
  • Perform periodic checks to ensure that the air exhaust vent pipe is unobstructed (lint accumulation) and the outdoor vent flap opens readily.
  • Do not run the dryer without a lint filter.
  • You are encouraged to not leave the dryer running if you go out, in case it malfunctions.

Source: Fire Prevention Canada

Fire Prevention - 04/13/2013

Carbon Monoxide

Quick Facts on Carbon Monoxide (CO)

WHAT IS IT: A colourless, odourless and tasteless gas.

SIGNS: Stuffy air, water vapour, backdraft and soot from a fireplace.

SYMPTOMS: Headaches, weakness, nausea, vomiting and loss of muscle control. They can be mistaken for flu symptoms.

EFFECTS: If inhaled, carbon monoxide deprives the blood of oxygen. Prolonged exposure can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage or death.

CAUSES: Blocked or dirty vents, flues, chimneys and furnaces, as well as improper ventilation of burning fireplaces or woodstoves.

DEATHS: Approximately 200 per year.

PREVENTION: Annual inspection and cleaning of:

  • Furnaces
  •  Chimneys
  •  Fireplaces
  •  Other fuel-burning equipment such as gas dryers

 

Safety Tips on How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
INSTALL at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home.

ENSURE a wood or coal-burning stove is properly installed and vented.

DON’T operate a gasoline-powered engine, kerosene stove or charcoal grill in a closed space.

BARBECUE grills should never be operated indoors.

CHECK clothes dryer vents that open outside the house for lint.

CHECK forced air fans for proper ventilation.

If you suspect carbon monoxide in your home, get out immediately and call the fire department.

 

 

 

Source: Fire Prevention Canada

Fire Prevention - 04/13/2013

Candle Safety

Candles provide great warmth and ambiance to any home.   It is easy to forget that such a calming artifact is an open flame that can reach 1,400° C.  Most candle fires begin in the bedroom – with a mattress or bedding cited as the first item to ignite – except during the holidays, when more people use candles precariously too close to decorations.  Furniture and plastics are also cited as the first items in the home to catch fire from a lit candle.  Statistics reveal that the most common causes of fire are:

  • Leaving candles unattended.
  •  Falling asleep while a candle is lit.
  • Using candles for light.
  • Candles located too close to burnable objects.
  • Candles knocked over by children, pets or sudden drafts.

 Safety Tips

  • Extinguish candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.candle flame
  • Keep lit candles away from items that can catch fire such as toys, clothing, books, curtains, Christmas trees and paper decorations.
  • Place candles in sturdy, burn-resistant containers that won’t tip over and are big enough to collect dripping wax.
  • Don’t place lit candles near windows, where blinds or curtains may close or blow over them.
  • Don’t use candles in high traffic areas where children or pets could knock them over.
  • Never let candles burn out completely. Extinguish them when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative material.
  • Never leave children or pets alone in a room with lit candles.
  • Do not allow older children to light candles in their bedrooms. A forgotten candle or an accident is all it takes to start a fire.
  • During power outages, exercise caution when using candles as a light source. Many destructive fires start when potential fire hazards go unnoticed in the dark.
  • Never use a candle for light when fuelling equipment such as a camp fuel heater or lantern.
  • Keep candle wicks short at all times. Trim the wick to one-quarter inch (6.4 mm).
  • Be wary of buying novelty candles. Avoid candles surrounded by flammable paint, paper, dried flowers, or breakable/meltable containers.
  • Extinguish taper and pillar candles when they burn to within two inches of the holder, and container candles before the last half-inch of wax begins to melt.
  • When buying or using novelty candles, try to determine if they pose a potential fire hazard (if they contain a combustible component for instance). If they do, or if you suspect that they might, inform your local fire department.
  • Use extreme caution when carrying a lit candle, holding it well away from your clothes and any combustibles that may be along your path.

The Law

  • There are no legal standards or regulations for candles, including their make, design, safety features, location or use.
  • Candles are not tested by a testing agency for safety before they are put on the market for you to buy.

Source: Fire Prevention Canada

Fire Prevention - 04/13/2013

Recent Comments

    Archives

    Categories

    MEMBERS

    USEFUL LINKS

    FIREFIGHTER INFORMATION

    Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved