Matches or Lighters

Remember that these are not toys and that you should never play with fire. Parents you should keep these out of reach of all children. Store them up high, preferably in a locked cabinet. Teach your children to get an adult if they find matches or a lighter. Let them know that fire can hurt them and destroy things.

Install Smoke Detectors

Be sure to have smoke detectors outside all sleeping areas and on every level of your home, including the basement. Test your smoke detectors monthly, and change their batteries once a year. If you sleep in the room with the door closed, install a smoke detector inside the room as well. If you are hearing impaired, use tested and approved smoke detectors that trigger a strobe light.

Get Out and Stay Out

•   Prepare and practice a home fire escape plan with your children.
    Plan two ways to get out of every room.
•   Practice fire drills at least twice a year with your children.
•   In an apartment fire, your children need to know which stairways will get
    them out of the building.
•   Tell your children never to take an elevator during a fire.
•   Decide on a planned meeting area outside the home as part of your fire
    escape plan.
•   Tell your children never to go back into a burning building!
•   Teach your children how to call 911 from a neighbour's phone.

Stop, Drop and Roll

•   STOP where you are. Don't Run.
•   Drop to the ground.
•   Cover your face with your hands, then roll over and over until the flames are
    out.

Crawl low under smoke

Teach your children to get down on their hands and knees and crawl low under the smoke to the nearest exit. Tell them smoke is dangerous and that they need to stay close to the ground where the air is cooler and cleaner.

React to smoke alarms

Tell your children to get out of the house immediately when they hear the sound of the smoke alarm. Teach your child how important smoke alarms are by testing them once a month. Change the battery at least once a year.

Carbon Monoxide

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide is often called the silent killer. You can’t see it, smell it or taste it, but it kills over 100 people each year in Canada. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide can lead to unconsciousness,
brain damage or death.

Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms.

• Headaches
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of muscle control

If you suspect carbon monoxide is making you ill.

• Get fresh air.
• Seek medical attention immediately.

Preventing high levels Carbon Monoxide in the home.

• Make sure furnace and fireplace exhaust goes up and out of the chimney.
• Keep heating equipment and appliances properly maintained.
• Clean external vents and chimneys.
• Repair broken mortar or other chimney damage immediately.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector.
• Install your detector on a wall near a sleeping area, usually in the hallway between bedrooms.

Kitchen Safety

Stove embers and ovens can burn you and start fires. Be attentive and remember these:

•   Always stay with the stove when cooking.
•   Keep your stove-top and oven clean and clear.
•   Wear tight-fitting or rolled-up sleeves when cooking to avoid catching your
    clothing on fire.
•   Keep combustible materials away from the stove. Don't hang curtains, pot
    holders, or towels near burners or the oven.
•   Turn pot handles inward so they can't be bumped or pulled.
•   Enforce a "kid-free zone" 3 feet (1 meter) around all cooking equipment.
•   If a small fire starts in a pan, carefully slide a lid over the pan to smother the
    flames, and turn off the burner. Leave the lid in place until the pan is cool.
•   Never pour water on a grease fire.
•   In microwave ovens, use only those containers designed for microwave use.

Water Safety

•   Swim only if there is a lifeguard or if a grown-up gives you permission to
    swim.
•   Take swimming lessons.
•   Follow water safety rules.
•   Wade into the water if you're swimming in a lake, pond or river.
  
•   Get out of water right away if you hear thunder or see lightning.
•   DO NOT eat candy or chew gum when you are swimming.
•   DO NOT dive off piers or rocks.
  Also visit the Hazard House for more saftey prevention information
  
  

Fire Prevention Inspectors