PREVENTION WEEK OCTOBER 7–13 FIREMAN’S PRAYER WHEN I AM CALLED TO DUTY, GOD WHEREVER FLAMES MAY RACE GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO SAVE SOME LIFE, WHATEVER BE ITS AGE HELP ME EMBRACE A LITTLE CHILD, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE OR SAVE AN OLDER PERSON FROM, THE HORROR OF THAT FATE ENABLE ME TO BE ALERT AND HEAR THE WEAKEST SHOUT AND QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY, TO PUT THE FIRE OUT I WANT TO FILL MY CALLING AND, TO GIVE THE BEST IN ME TO GUARD MY EVERY NEIGHBOUR, AND PROTECT HIS PROPERTY AND IF ACCORDING TO MY FATE, I AM TO LOSE MY LIFE, PLEASE BLESS WITH YOUR PROTECTING HAND THE LOVED ONES IN MY LIFE.

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Fire Prevention

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR EMPLOYERS We would like to express our deep gratitude to the following businesses for supporting volunteer fire departments by allowing volunteer firefighters to attend emergency call outs. • Excel Transportation Inc. • Regional District of Fraser-Fort George • Pine Star Logging • ACE Welding & Fabricating • Ryken Construction Inc. • Rolling Mix Concrete (BC) Ltd. • K & D Heating & Repair • Uniwide Drilling, Noratek Solutions • IFS (Industrial Forest Service) • Silent Cabinets • Treasure Cove Casino • Village of McBride • McBride Trading Co. • Robson Valley Suppport Society • McBride & District Public Library • Bank of Nova Scotia • Home Hardware • Edgewater Holdings • City of PG • BC Gov • Pacific Bio Energy • Tll Drafting & Design • McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. • Omnitech Services Ltd. ACKNOWLEDGING ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER GROUPS, THANK YOU TO: • FORT GEORGE HIGHWAY RESCUE SOCIETY • WILLOW RIVER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT • PRINCE GEORGE SEARCH AND RESCUE • EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES VOLUNTEERS The volunteer fire departments are always in need of more volunteers. There are many different roles to provide volunteer services far beyond the role of a frontline firefighter, such as emergency medical aid, equipment maintenance, filing and documentation just to name a few. Join a team, join your local volunteer fire department! For more information please contact Regional District of Fraser-Fort George 250-960-4400.

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT This year Fire Prevention Week will be celebrated and observed October 7-13, 2012. The theme “Have Two Ways Out.©” is so appropriate as we continue to experience needless deaths and losses from senseless predictable and preventable events. Fire Prevention Canada wants to assist you in your planning for a successful campaign. With this in mind, we can serve as a valuable resource of worthwhile information and education programs that can reduce losses. You are invited to visit our website at www.fiprecan.ca where you will find a FPW Kit along with items and areas of interest that will support your local campaign. Pamphlets and fact sheets can be downloaded, printed and handed out or copied and sent electronically. You will also find suggestions and helpful ideas for local promotion and publicity, including public service announcements, along with ways to engage your local officials and VIPs who can help promote and disseminate your fire safety message. We welcome you to refer your audience to our website for more fire prevention tips. Of course if you feel there is any additional material that might be of interest or benefit to us and your colleagues, we would like to get such material or suggestions for additional topics from you. Fire Prevention Canada is a non-profit organization which depends on sponsors and volunteers to help keep Canada fire-safe. In the last year we have collaborated with HRSDC and a number of corporate sponsors and partners such as Levitt Safety, Current Safe and McDonald's Restaurants. We are very grateful for their support. If you have any suggestions for partnering with us, or know of someone who would like to join with us in a wide variety of mutually beneficial projects, both planned and underway, please contact any of the FPC Directors or Secretary that are identified on our website. Canadians must be made aware of the simple measures that can be taken to prevent a devastating fire from occurring in their homes. Let us ensure that the public are well informed and educated. It’s about life safety first and foremost and Fire Prevention Canada is committed to helping you with this endeavour. Together we can save lives. Sincerely, Rick McCullough, President - Fire Prevention Canada Director Fire & Protective Services City of Regina

Profire is proud to support and salutes our Fraser-Fort George fire fighters during fire prevention week.

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Fire Prevention

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BEAR LAKE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT TOP TIPS: Arm Yourself Properly in Sleeping Areas Keep bedrooms and other sleeping areas safe by installing smoke alarms outside each sleeping area, or inside each bedroom if you sleep with doors closed. As well, install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm outside the master bedroom. If your home has more than one storey, and especially if you sleep on the second or higher floor, keep a fire escape ladder either under the bed or in a linen closet near a window.

BEAVERLY FIRE RESCUE

Chief Bruce

Perrin

Dep. Chief Amos

Culham

Back Row Left to Right: Deputy Chief Amos Culham, Cpt. Tom Helson, Daniel Toopitsin, Rob Slavik, Craig Burgess, Lt. Keith Brandner, Korey Koretz, Josh Day, Jeremy Larsen, Dean Girard, Heath de la Giroday, Dustin Nelson, Fire Chief Bruce Perrin Front Row Left to Right: Amy Goetz, Rhonda Girard, Tanis Brandner Missing: Lt. Melanie Perrin, Paul Goetz, Rich Rogers, Al Gunnlaugson, Regan Lokken, Camille Colbert

BUCKHORN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chief Richard

Dep.Chief Mike

Hersey

Hochachka

Left to Right: Darrel Thompson (Captain), Tamara Goerz (Captain) , Josh Hewitt, Baxter Goerz, Laura Sanchez, Maureen Yeo (Captain), John Veldman, Connie Hochachka, Theresa Veldman, Taylor Murphy (rear), Dan Sanchez (Captain), Tyler Bartlett (rear), Marc Belanger, April Yeo, Mike Hochachka (Deputy Chief), Ron Sanchez (Training Officer) Missing: Richard Hersey (Fire Chief), Raymond Bergey (Fire Prevention Officer), Rob Kearns, Grant Dickson, Paul Saliken, Donna Hersey, Carol Chabot, Mike Hagymacy

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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:

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THE WINTER SEASON & 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.

• Heating appliances such as space heaters should not have anything combustible close by 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. • Fire Alarms • Fire Safety Plans • Sprinkler Systems • Emergency Lighting • Hydrants & Hoses • Suppression Systems • Fire Extinguishers 2133 Ogilvie Street Prince George, BC V2N 1X2

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• 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.

• 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.

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Friday, October 5, 2012

FERNDALE/TABOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chief Bryant

Dep. Chief Roy

Kemble

Whitwick

Front Row - Right to Left: Gary Jamieson, Bryant Kemble, Roy Whitwick Centre Row - Right to Left: Tom Heidsma, Jeni Robinson, Dave Main, Keith Robinson Back Row - Right to Left: William Mosser, Dennel Herman, Brian Froelich, Dan Main, Paul Simon Missing: Dave Crampton, Blake Evens, Bjorn Green, Dylan Main, Ian Mooney, Logan Moore, John Schmidt, Stan ZenZen

HIXON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT TOP TIPS: Cooking is the number one cause of home fires. Kitchen fires are often fast-spreading and very destructive. Knowing how to prevent them is the first step in being safe, but accidents do happen, so it is just as important to know what to do if a kitchen fire starts. Use these tips and directions to stay as safe as possible in your kitchen. Arm Yourself Properly in the Kitchen Install a Photoelectric smoke alarm, which detects the type of slow, smoldering fire that often starts in the kitchen. To cut down on the number of nuisance alarms caused by burnt toast and cooking, ensure that your smoke alarm has a “Hush” button that allows you to temporarily silence an alarm while keeping your family safe if a real fire breaks out.

Gary Blair, Kathy Buxton, Joe Denton, Cathy Forsyth, Cyndi Halls, Dave Halls, Doug Hillman,Juan Huidobro, Maureen Nielsen, Blake Stitt, John Van Geloven. Rookies are Garrett Buxton, Travis Buxton, Michelle Denton, Hailee Forsyth, Nikki Halls

DISTRICT OF MACKENZIE FIRE DEPARTMENT

NEVER remove the batteries from a smoke alarm, or take it off the ceiling, to silence a nuisance alarm. Equip your kitchen with a BC-rated fire extinguisher within reach in case of fire.

Back Row: FF Mike Nipp, FF Marc Kennedy, Lt. Robert Potvin, PFF Jason Hartt, Eng. Ernie Weber, Eng. Joey Abdai Middle Row: Training Officer Jim Wiens, FF Brad Botrakoff, FF Greg Duerksen, Capt. Ron Blood, Lt. Kelly Proctor, PFF Derek Rainey Front Row: Capt. Greg Niro, Asst. Chief Jim Guise, Deputy Chief Keinan Carty, Fire Chief Jamie Guise, Asst. Chief Mel McMeeken, FF Tasha Clarke Missing : Captain Kenny Lavoie, FF Peter Grogan-Gates, Lt. Aarin Hilton, FF Corinne Nearing, PFF Alex McIntyre, FF Billy Berlinski,

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MCBRIDE DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chief Dave

Hruby

Dep. Chief Mike

Kelley

Top row from left: Mike Earle, Corey Girling, Courtney Lipke (Lieutenant), Matt Slaney (Lieutenant), Travis Wall (Assistant Chief), Mike Kelley (Deputy Chief), Lyle Lewis (Captain), Ole Quam (Captain), Al Frederick, Paul Starlund Bottom row from left: Martina Wall, Kody Pepper, Christian Blixrud, Ryan Vizza, Sig Harstad, David Taylor, Jen Quam, Christine Monroe Missing: Dave Hruby, Joe Quam, Sierra Janecke, Bryan Beer & Scott Keim

NESS LAKE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chief Paul

Davenport

Front Row: Captain Carolyn Davenport,FF Jenne Amell,FF Leigh Parker, Fire Chief Paul Davenport, FF Dave Christianson Back row: FF Dave Schaff, FF Mat Trudel, Captain Chris Dugdale, FF Ray Trudel, FF Kevin Devantier, Ken Dyck, FF Dave Dyer, FF Gerry Bergeron, Deputy Chief Percy Dergez;

Dep. Chief Percy

Dergez

PILOT MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT TOP TIPS: Use these tips and directions to stay as safe as possible in your basement.

Arm Yourself Properly in the Basement Ensure you have a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in the basement area to alert you and your family to a hazard. Also have an ABC-rated fire extinguisher within reach to fight small and contained fires. Back row: Tyson Russell, Carl Wozney, Jason Lainey, jason Crerar, Kevin Mitchell, Kyle McDowell, TJ Winslade, Brian Nielsen, Bill Wilkins Front Row: Kyle Wozney, Murray Kerman, Dinah Lainey, Erin Lainey, Joe Floria, Dan Floria, Gil Lainey

Fire Prevention

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Friday, October 5, 2012

PINEVIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT TOP TIPS: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) warns consumers that all smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years. And, depending upon manufacturers, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms need to be replaced every 5-7 years. Even though an alarm may sound when you push the test button or replace the batteries, an outdated alarm does not provide the level of protection you need. Sensors weaken and can become obstructed over time. Check the age of every alarm in your home…right now. If smoke alarms are over 10 years old, or carbon monoxide alarms are over 5-7 years old - replace them immediately!

Left to right: Ken Schinkel, Shawna Bygrave, Bill Whitmer, Riley Cassidy, Rion Floris, Bill Catherall, Kevin Plante, Josh Cronk, Adam Kole, Pat Delacherois, Lyle Wood, Ed Larabie, Lorne Koch, Shannon Elliott Missing: Ashley Conners, Gerald Girard, Mike MacDonald, Elizabeth Ramsey, Peter Robson, Rob Woods

SALMON VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chief

Garry Darbon

Dee Burden –Deputy Chief, Shelley Archer – firefighter, Cory Davoren - firefighter, Debra Darbon - firefighter, Timothy Klassen - Cadet, Garry Darbon - Fire chief, Chris Archer - firefighter. Missing: firefighters Ryan Darbon, Joseph Klassen, Mark Vejvoda, Corey Duerksen, Juanita Shields and cadet Noah Vejvoda

Dep.

Chief Dee Burden

SHELL-GLEN VOLUNTEER FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT

Chief Randy

Kissel

Dep. Chief Tanya

Asst. Chief Dave

Lamarche

Lamarche

Left To Right: Dennis Lloyd – Firefighter, Colby Link – Firefighter, Reinaldo Sardinha – Training Officer, Tim Lentz – Firefighter, Dave Lamarche – Assistant Fire Chief, Randy Kissel – Fire Chief, Tanya Lamarche – Deputy Fire Chief, Nathaniel Lamarche – “Little Chief”, Angela Berginc – Junior Firefighter, Evan Nevatie – Firefighter, John Berginc – Firefighter, Andressa Thompson – Firefighter, Steve Bates – Captain, Marie Douglas – Auxiliary, Steven Cronshaw – Firefighter, Carol Brown – Auxiliary, DaniEl Soares – Junior Firefighter, Andrew Evans – Firefighter & Sheltin Sardinha – Junior Firefighter. Missing: Gerald Matyas – Firefighter, Joseph Matyas – Firefighter & Kayne Kissel – Firefighter.

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Friday, October 5, 2012

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RED ROCK/STONER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chief Tom

VonSychowski

From left to right: William Campbell, Liz Campbell, Rick Johnson, Natasha Schlueter, Deputy Chief Bob Porteous, Training Officer Chandra Malcolm, Alison Morton, Mark Morton, Ken Bielert and Fire Chief Tom Von Sychowski Missing: Gordon Innis, Jim Shepherd and Sharollynn Briere

Dep. Chief Bob

Porteous

VALEMOUNT & DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

TOP TIPS: Arm Yourself Properly at the Cottage Equip the cottage as you would your home. Install smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, as well as fire extinguishers and test them regularly. National Fire Protection Association recommendations apply: one per floor and outside sleeping areas. If you sleep with doors closed, install alarms inside bedrooms. Be as familiar with the exits from your cottage and outbuildings as you are with those at home, and create an escape plan for your family. Share it with visiting guests.

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Phone: 250-562-7227 Fax: 250-562-8808 Toll-Free: 1-866-592-7227

The Staff of the Prince George Free Press would like to thank all the fire fighters and volunteers for keeping our children safe.

Fire Prevention

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Friday, October 5, 2012

9

ONE OF THE MAJOR CAUSES OF HOME FIRES, ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER AND CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS 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.

Safety Tips • Extinguish candles when leaving the room or going to sleep. • 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.

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

• 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.

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• Never leave children or pets alone in a room with lit candles.

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• 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.

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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.

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Friday, October 5, 2012

PRINCE GEORGE FIRE RESCUE SERVICE WILL BE PROMOTING THE FOLLOWING EVENTS DURING FIRE PREVENTION WEEK; 1. Fire Chief for a Day – local school children from Kindergarten to Grade three will be encouraged to fill out an entry form. These forms will be delivered as part of a package to every school in the municipality. We are hoping to have an engine crew make the deliveries. There will be a lucky winner from each of the four Hall response areas in the City. Our local McDonalds Restaurant will sponsor a lunch on October 20, 2012 which is attended by all contest winners. The winners attend Hall # 1 for photographs, a hall tour, meet the Fire Chief and ride to the McDonalds in the fire engine. 2. We are also promoting the “Laptop Computer Contest” offered by the Office of the Fire Commissioner. Some lucky child in this province will win a laptop. This entry form will also be included in the package delivered by the fire crews. The draw for this contest is scheduled for November 16, 2012 in Victoria, BC. 3. We offer the “Hazard House” presentations year round to children from Kindergarten to Grade three. Fire Prevention Week is usually the kick off to these presentations which are scheduled as requested by the teachers. 4. On Saturday, October 13, 2012 we will have a booth set up at the local Home Depot. This booth will be manned by staff from the Prevention Branch with the assistance of the engine crew from Hall # 3. This day is promoted as “Fire Safety Day”. Our Fire Chief is John Lane. Our Deputy Chief’s are John Iverson and Blake King. Fire Administration contact is Prince George Fire Rescue Service, 1111 7th Avenue, Prince George, BC V2L 3N8, Business phone 250.561.7667. Fax 250.561.7703. Photographs of the four (4) halls will be sent later this week. Photographs of the Chiefs may not be available for this spot.

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LOCATION, INSTALLATION, TESTING & CLEANING Locating/Installing Smoke Alarms • Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. • For best performance, an alarm should be mounted on the ceiling in or 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 5oC (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.

Fire Prevention

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Friday, October 5, 2012

11

At Home Statistics reveal that 78 percent of deaths from fire occur in the home, with most of the fatalities taking place between 2 am and 4 am, while occupants are asleep. That is why it is critical to develop an escape plan, because one needs to react quickly since with a fire:

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• The smoke is black and very thick, making it impossible to see. • There is no time for indecision; an entire home can be engulfed within five minutes. • Most people are killed by smoke inhalation, not the flame of the fire. • The heat of the fire is extremely intense and can kill you instantly.

Develop and Practice a Fire Escape Plan • Install smoke alarms on every level. Keep smoke alarms clean and dust-free, checking them monthly. Replace batteries yearly and alarms every 10 years. • In order to be able to react quickly to fire, draw a floor plan of your home showing all possible exits from each room. • Where possible, plan two exits: a main route and an alternate route from each room.

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• Since the majority of fire deaths occur while you are sleeping, you should practice your plan at night as well, getting down on your hands and knees with a flashlight while crawling to safety. Heavy smoke impairs breathing, which is why staying close to the floor increases chances of escape. • Make certain that everyone understands that if they hear the smoke alarm, or someone shouting "FIRE", they should immediately evacuate the home. • Designate a meeting place outside your home in the event of a fire. • Small children unable to escape should be taught to open their windows and wave an article of clothing to attract attention. Instruct them to wait at the window until someone comes and to never hide from the fire. Discuss with a fire department official whether an escape ladder would be appropriate to install. • Sleep with doors closed. If children are frightened, parents can close doors after the children fall asleep and use a room monitor to hear them during the night.

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• If awakened by a smoke alarm or a fire, instruct family members to feel the door for heat and check air at the bottom. If you don't smell smoke and the air is cool, kneel and open the door slowly, turning your face away from the opening. If smoke is present or the door is hot, use another exit. • Purchase an A-B-C fire extinguisher, whose rating is based on the fuel: ‘A’ originates from a wood or paper fire, ‘B’ is caused by flammable liquids and ‘C’ is an electrical fire. Learn how to use this fire extinguisher by remembering the acronym PASS. Pull the pin, Aim the extinguisher, Squeeze or press the handle and Sweep side-to-side at the base of the fire. • If you live in an apartment building, develop your escape plan taking into account fire escape procedures provided by building management. • Make sure your babysitter understands your fire escape plan. • Practice Your Escape Plan: regular practice is essential so that every family member knows what to do and will be able to react quickly.

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• If anyone in your home is unable to evacuate without assistance, assign someone to assist them. • Ensure that everyone in your home knows not to re-enter. • Call the Fire Department from a neighbour's home

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Fire Prevention

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