FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Fire Safety for Children

 

Every year hundreds of children die or are seriously injured due to fire, in many cases in preventable situations.  Every parent should be responsible for educating their children about the importance of fire safety from an early age – kids won’t forget, and chances are, will make sure you won’t forget either. 

 

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN…

 

• Using the 911 service is the best method in an emergency.  Teach them how to use it, and most importantly, when.
• Fire can hurt them badly, it destroys things and once a fire has started it is very difficult to control and spreads really quickly.
• Matches, lighters and candles are not toys and are to be handled only by adults, ever.  Set a good example by never letting candles burn when you leave a room and keeping all matches and lighters far away from little hands.
• Prepare and practice a fire escape plan with your children and family.  It is a wonderful way for your children to become involved and aware.  Plan two ways to get out of every room, plan an outside meeting place and practice “surprise” fire drills from different sources in the home.  If you live in an apartment complex, it is critical that your children know which stairwell will take them out of the building and that they are never to use the elevator in the event of a fire.
• Never go back inside a burning building once they have escaped, not even for pets or beloved articles they’re afraid they will lose.  There is something greater to lose if they take that chance.
• React and get out of the house immediately when they hear the smoke alarm.
• Smoke can be as dangerous as fire – if there is a blaze and the house or room is filling with smoke, your child must know to get on his hands and knees and crawl low on the floor where the air is cooler and cleaner.
• STOP DROP & ROLL – one thing every child should know is how to smother the flames when clothing is aflame.  STOP – don’t run.  DROP – to the ground and cover your face with your hands.  ROLL – over and over until the flames are out.

 

Fire Safety Tips for the Babysitter

 

Watching over and caring for other people’s children is a lot of responsibility for a babysitter – especially for younger, high school aged kids who are left in charge.  By taking just a few extra moments to inform the sitter before you run out the door for that dinner party, you can ease any anxiety about leaving the kids home and enjoy your night out.

 

(*Suggest a printable information sheet for the babysitter that contains key contact numbers and all relevant information required in an emergency situation – Police; Fire; Ambulance; Family Name, Address and Telephone number; Telephone number and Address of where parents have gone; Time Parents due back; Neighbour’s Address and Telephone Number; and important information about the children, ie, allergies, medications, bedtime, etc.)

 

TELL THE BABYSITTER…

 

• All contact information is readily available and posted somewhere handy, like beside the phone or on the fridge. 
• Your home plan for safe exit in the event of a fire. Make the babysitter aware of your prearranged escape routes and designated outside meeting place.  Post this in plain view as well.
• Test all smoke alarms and ensure they are operational and show the sitter where they are located in the house.  
• Provide a flashlight and emergency kit that’s within easy reach should the lights go out.
• All important information relevant to the children – allergies, medications, special needs, etc
• If there is smoke or fire, the greatest concern is getting everyone out safe.  If the smoke alarm sounds, leave promptly – do not try to locate the source of the fire or try to put it out.  Call 911 from a safe place and wait for emergency services to arrive.
• If a quick exit is necessary, just get out – wrap the children in blankets, don’t bother getting them dressed and don’t allow them to slow down to bring personal items with them.  And never NEVER re-enter a burning building.
• Keep lighters, matches and candles away from children.
• Keep the kids distanced from space heaters.
• Keep the children in sight at all times.

Smoke Detectors

 

Most fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping.  Smoke detectors are the first defense against fire.  $20 and fresh batteries once a year could save your home and your family’s life.  There’s just no excuse.

 

SMOKE ALARMS…

 

• Choose the best alarm for you.  Some are battery operated, some are electrically connected, some both.  Install alarms according to manufacturer’s instruction.
• Is one enough?  No.  Install a smoke detector on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.  It is recommended that you avoid placing alarms near bathrooms, heaters and heating appliances, windows and ceiling fans.
• Test – Maintain – Replace: It’s quite simple.  Test your smoke alarm regularly using the test button.  Maintain it by making sure it is free of dust and other particles that can clog the alarm by vacuuming and cleaning it every few months.  Replace the batteries at least once a year – combine the activity with changing the clocks in spring and fall so you don’t forget.  When the warning beep signals battery weakness, change batteries immediately.      
• Get a new one if your existing smoke alarm is more than a decade old. 

Kitchen Fires

 

More fires start in the kitchen than in any other room of a home.  Careless cooking is one of the leading causes of fire-related deaths.  Many of these incidents are highly preventable – it’s about being alert, cautious and prepared for an emergency.

 

KEEP YOUR COOL IN THE KITCHEN… 

• It’s about diligence.  Keep your stove and oven clean, because built-up grease and food particles are easily ignited with high cooking temperatures. 
• Keep combustibles and other materials that can easily catch fire out of the burner’s way – paper towels and napkins, dish towels and newspapers, the magazine you’re using the recipe from … distance is the best policy.
• Unplug your non-major appliances when not in use – kettle, toaster, toaster oven, electric frying pans.  You will also be saving energy!
• Keep a constant watch over your constantly used gadgets.  Check cords for frays or tears – if they’re on the way out, throw them out.
• Practice good cooking habits: keep pot handles turned inward on the stove; avoid wearing loose sleeves while at the stove; never leave food unattended while it’s cooking on the stove.
• If you get a burn, immediately run it under a cool tap for at least 5 minutes.  Seek immediate medical attention if blisters appear or the skin has been charred.

GREASE AND PAN FIRES

• Remove pans containing fat from the stove because it can be pretty easy to turn on the wrong burner.
• Grease fires can happen anytime.  NEVER throw water or flour on a grease fire as it will cause it to spread.    
• If a pot or pan should ignite, turn off the stove, slip on an oven mitt or grab a dish towel to protect your hands.  Then smother the flames with the fitted lid or a larger pan. 
• NEVER attempt to handle a flaming pot – its contents can badly burn you in transit.
• In the case of an oven fire, close the oven door and shut off the heat.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

 

Carbon Monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America.  It’s highly dangerous because it’s invisible – you can’t see, smell or taste it.  It’s produced by gas or oil furnaces, water heaters and kerosene heaters, ovens and woodstoves and any other appliance that runs on fossil fuels (wood, gas, oil and coal).

Inhaling carbon monoxide can happen anywhere at any time, and it can cause irreparable brain damage, suffocation or, at extreme toxic levels, death.  Pregnant women, young children, the elderly and people suffering from heart and lung problems are at greater risk for poisoning. 

 

THE SYMPTOMS…

 

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and the flu present themselves in similar ways and early signs of low-level poisoning may be dismissed as feeling under the weather.  You will feel:

• tiredness 
• headaches 
• dizziness 
• nausea and/or vomiting 
• shortness of breath.  
• pink or reddening skin as a result of rising blood pressure

If these symptoms appear seemingly out of nowhere, you may be suffering from poisoning.  Call 911 and immediately contact your physician for further instructions. 

 

Protect yourself and your family by installing a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home, especially outside sleeping areas.  You can choose from several types of detector, and always install according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  If your alarm should sound, leave with your family and call 911, and DO NOT re-enter your home until the source has been found by emergency services and fixed.

 

Your fuel-burning appliances have to be properly maintained.  Once a year hire a qualified service technician to inspect and clean your furnace, chimney flues and vent pipes once a year to remove the debris and blockages that result in a build-up of carbon monoxide.

Propane Safety

 

Barbecuing is a year-round activity for many people, not only something to do in the summertime.  Before you fire up the BBQ, take a moment to ensure that it’s safe and in fine working order.

 

THE PROPANE CYLINDER

In Canada, propane cylinders must be inspected and requalified or replaced every 10 years.  It should be immediately replaced if it is rusty or shows other signs of damage.  Old cylinders will be disposed of or recycled.  All propane cylinders must be purged before being refilled and must be filled by a certified attendant

 

Transport any propane cylinders carefully – upright and in a secure place where it won’t tip over.  Keep your windows open and refrain from smoking while there us propane in your car.

 

Take your time when replacing an empty cylinder.  Make sure that the special plug provided is threaded onto the outlet of the service valve when you disconnect the hose.

 

ON AND OFF BASICS

 

ON: Open the lid to light the grill.  Open the propane cylinder valve to turn on the gas.  Then turn on your BBQ grill and temperature controls.  Finally, press the igniter button.  If your grill doesn’t have one or it’s not working, insert a long match or BBQ lighter into the side burner hole.

 

OFF: First, shut the propane valve to burn off any remaining gas in the line, then turn off the burner controls.  Allow your BBQ to completely cool down before you put a protective covering on it. 

 

CLEAN COOKING …

 

Avoiding a BBQ fire is as simple as keeping your grill clean.  Carefully clean out particles, dust, old grease and charred bits that could ignite, remove lava rocks and grates and wash them with soap and warm water.  Clean burner ports of dirt and rust.

 

Check that your BBQ hose is in good condition and is free of cracks. Propane leaking from a hose may send out a stream that can ignite and produce huge flames.

 

Do not use a match or lighter to check for leaks.  Brush a mixture of soap and water onto the connections and hoses – rising bubbles will indicate a leak.

Fireworks Safety

 

Fireworks are undoubtedly beautiful and fun for the whole family – but they are also very dangerous and need safe precautions in place for everyone to have a good time and avoid injury and tragedy.  If you should purchase fireworks for a private backyard display, make sure to follow these guidelines very carefully.

• Adults ONLY in the handling and lighting of fireworks.  Always keep fireworks out of reach of children.
• Only one person should be in charge of lighting the charges.  With the exception of sparklers, fireworks are never to be handheld.
• Read all directions and instructions carefully.  Fireworks should remain in their original packaging until use to avoid contact with and ignition from sparks.
• Before lighting fireworks, they should be buried at least halfway into a bucket of sand or earth, and should be firmly supported.
• Keep a garden hose and bucket of water handy to douse any still-smouldering, discharged fireworks.
• Light fireworks at arm’s length and wear safety goggles, stand back and keep your face away.
• If a firework fails to ignite, never attempt to relight it.  Let it cool in the base and then pour water on it.
• Sparklers should also be immersed in cold water when done, or allowed to cool in a safe place until they can be safely disposed of.  Only use sparklers outdoors.

Fire Extinguisher Safety

 

The use of a fire extinguisher does not extinguish the need for calling the Fire Department in the event of any fire.  You should always call 911, regardless of how small it may seem – fire extinguishers are not designed to fight large fires.

 

WHERE AND WHEN …

 

Extinguishers should be mounted in plain sight, above a child’s reach, near a viable escape route and away from heating appliances.  They should be inspected and maintained regularly.  Remember to recharge reusable ones and replace used ones.

 

Use your fire extinguisher ONLY if:

• you know how to operate your extinguisher and are aware of its proper use.
• the fire is small or not spreading
• nearby occupants have been alerted
• everyone is leaving the area or gone
• 911 has been called
• you have a clear escape route that isn’t blocked by fire

Remember to P-A-S-S…

• PULL the locking pin, break the seal.
• AIM the nozzle/hose at the base of the fire from at least 3 metres (10 feet) away.
• SQUEEZE the trigger handle all the way to release extinguishing agent.
• SWEEP the extinguishing agent from side to side, moving front to back across the base of the fire until quelled.  Keep a close eye on that area until you’re sure it’s out.

Not all extinguishers are created equal – IF YOU USE THE WRONG TYPE OF EXTINGUISHER YOU CAN ENDANGER YOURESLF OR MAKE THE FIRE WORSE. 

 

There are three basic classes of extinguishers for different purposes:
 

 

CLASS A – Ordinary combustibles: paper, wood, garbage, drapes & upholstery, etc.
 

CLASS B – Flammable liquids: gasoline, oils, paint & solvents, flammable gases.
 

CLASS C – Electrical fires involving Class A or B materials and live electrical power: overheated wiring, fuse boxes, motors, etc.