fire
Oct. 7 - 13 2012
prevention week
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Fire Prevention Week - October 7th - 13th, 2012
Which smoke alarm is best for reducing false alarms? Smoke alarms are not all the same. By choosing the correct technology you can keep your family safe and reduce those annoying false alarms when you cook or shower. Photoelectric smoke alarms are a good choice near kitchens or in areas adjacent to bathrooms, say fire safety experts. Their sensors are best at detecting slow, smouldering fires —
which means you will have fewer false alarms caused by burnt toast or shower steam. Ionization smoke alarms are good for general living areas, as their sensors are best at detecting fast-flaming fires. Fire departments say that having both types of alarms installed in your home, or a combination with both types of sensors, provides the best protection. More
information as well as fire safety tips can be found online at www.safeathome. ca. Carbon monoxide leaks an increased threat as cold weather arrives That extra nip in the fall air provides a reminder that increased vigilance is required to protect your family from carbon mon-
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oxide, known as the “silent killer.” For one Ontario man, it is an especially stark reminder. In late 2008 John Gignac, a retired firefighter, lost his niece, her husband and their two children to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. A blocked chimney vent forced the deadly gas from their gas fireplace back into their home. And just one year ago, a Whitehorse family and a boarder were also killed by CO poisoning. After his family tragedy, Gignac established the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education and spends his retirement imploring others to protect themselves from CO with one simple step: installing a CSA-approved carbon monoxide alarm. “My niece Laurie Hawkins and her family had no chance because they did not have a CO alarm,” Gignac says. “If they did, they would still be with us today.” Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless. So without a CO
alarm, humans cannot detect its presence. Despite the average home having several potential sources of the deadly gas, studies show that nearly 60 per cent of Canadians have not installed a CO alarm. “Over the past four years I have spoken to dozens of groups and hundreds of people and the comments are almost always the same,” Gignac says. “People tell me they don’t need a carbon monoxide alarm because they have electric heat. But when I ask them if they have a gas appliance or water heater, or a woodburning or gas fireplace, or a garage or carport attached to their house, they all get a horrified look on their face. Because any one of those can be a source of CO and their families have been at risk for years.” In addition to being impossible to detect, CO also has another nefarious trait. Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure mimic the flu, without the fever. It is routinely responsible for thousands of clinic and hospital visits each year, and is
commonly misdiagnosed. Prolonged or extreme exposure causes nausea, dizziness, confusion, the loss of physical mobility, brain damage and ultimately, death. Gignac offers these four CO safety steps: • Have a licenced inspector check heating systems and other fuel-burning appliances, including fireplaces, every year. • Install one CSA-approved CO alarm on each storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. • Check outside to make sure all exhaust flues and vents are not obstructed. • Replace CO alarms every seven to 10 years depending on the manufacturer, whether battery operated or hardwired. “Most CO alarms cost in the range of $30, just about two cents a day over their lifespan, a small price to pay for the safety of you and your family,” Gignac adds. More carbon monoxide safety tips are available online at www.endthesilence. ca.
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Page 3
Fire Prevention Week - October 7th - 13th, 2012
Chimney & Felker Lakes VFD attends more than fires Erin Hitchcock Fire Prevention 2012 Firefighters don’t just put out fires, says Chimney & Felker Lakes Volunteer Fire Department Chief Allen Schaad. Over the last year, the department has attended small traffic accidents and a small plane crash, and it has assisted B.C. Ambulance that transported a patient to hospital via helicopter.
“There was a mutual task, where we used the search hall. “Search and Rescue came out — that’s my other hat — we were looking for a missing person at a residence who had gone astray,” Schaad says. “We used the fire hall and our fire department members teamed up with search and rescue members to work on that search.” The missing person
eventually came home. “As it turns out, there have been more of those other things [than fires],” he says. The fire department is still working toward receiving certification. When it becomes certified, insurance companies will recognize it. “It’s a long, slow process, an expensive process. That’s still in the works.” Funding, he says, is the fire department’s biggest
impediment, so it recently applied for a gaming grant through the provincial government. “Now we sit and chew our fingernails, hoping they see us worthy and that we could make good use of their funds.” He says the department would like to use the funds to replace old, outdated personal protection equipment, such as helmets, boots, and jackets. He said the department
was fortunate to receive such items secondhand from the Williams Lake Fire Department, but he notes the used items weren’t wanted by Williams Lake for a reason. “The reason they got new ones was because they were out of date,” he says, adding that replacing the equipment will be expensive. “To do that for 18 members, that’s well more than we have in our bank ac-
count.” The rest of the application requests funding for training materials, such as books, and honorariums for the chiefs and training officers from surrounding departments to attend the Chimney/Felker department to help out members. The fire hall is located between Chimney and Felker lakes and serves 12 kilometres north and 12 km south of it.
Thanksgiving turkey fires cause for concern at 9-1-1 centre Flames in the oven can start easily and escalate quickly, warns fire dispatcher “A turkey isn’t something you typically see on a list of household fire hazards, but we get 9-11 calls about ovens going up in flames all the time,” says Corey Kelso, E-Comm fire dispatcher. “The result can be dev-
astating if you’re not careful every time you have something cooking for an extended period of time.” Fire Prevention Week is a national initiative to promote fire safety through education, and strives to bring awareness to the
Chimney & Felker Lakes Volunteer Fire Department members are, from left to right, Wade Lambe, Al Tranq, Alex Tranq, Rob Shelest, Bill Margetts, Allen Schaad, Darrel Bornyk, Jack Mullett, Larry Straza, Wayne Erlandson, and Dennis Melney. Not present are Jack Leggett, Leigh Markland, Lorne Schuette, George Broomfield, Harold Richards, Danny Moxey, Ken Mitchell, Gen Gibson, and Ken Lucks.
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In fact, it is a leading cause of spikes in 9-1-1 calls over the holidays. “A flame in your oven can start easily and escalate quickly,” Kelso says. “Oil drippings through a thin tinfoil turkey pan or bits of leftover food resi-
due inside your oven are extremely flammable in a high temperature setting.” E-Comm 9-1-1 provides dispatch to 18 fire departments in southwest B.C. and answers almost one million 9-1-1 calls each year for Metro Vancouver.
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Chimney & Felker Lakes Volunteer Fire Department
dangers of fire and how we can protect ourselves. E-Comm has received some odd calls to 9-1-1 before — including someone wanting to know how long to cook a turkey — but a turkey fire is no joke. Interior & Exterior Doors • Laminate, Cork, Engineered & Traditional Flooring • Mouldings • Countertop Laminates • Cabinets • Hardware • Panelling • Construction Plywoods • Decks • Lattice • Aluminum Railings • Tools
E -Comm’s fire dispatch team is warning families to be mindful of their turkey cooking during Thanksgiving weekend, which is also the start of national Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct. 7 to 13.
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Fire Prevention Week - October 7th - 13th, 2012
150 Mile Fire Department stays ahead of the curve Erin Hitchcock Fire Prevention 2012 There’s a lot going on at the 150 Mile Fire Department. For instance, says Fire Chief Stan McCarthy, the department is putting in a new water system, which is expected to bring the community up to hydrant status. “That will really help the insurance for the homeowners and all of 150 Mile,” McCarthy says. “That’s my goal for next year. You have to pump so many gallons an hour, and I think we have to pump 20,000 gallons non-stop per hour to make it hydrant status. Then we will be equal to Williams Lake.” The department, which became a Cariboo Regional District fire de-
partment in 1981, has six dry hydrants in the area, and McCarthy says he plans to install two more. In the last year, the department purchased new Scott 4500 breathing apparatus, which were bought used from the City of Kitimat through a bid process. About 16 sets were purchased for less than $5,000 total — each are worth about $6,000 new — and 32 extra bottles were included in the purchase. “They are in excellent condition,” he says, adding the money to purchase the equipment comes from the CRD fire protection taxes. Two years ago, the department purchased a pumper/tender fire truck — a crew cab that holds
six people and 2,000 gallons of water — bringing the total amount of fire trucks up to five. “We upgraded our turnout gear this year (coats, pants) and we installed new lockers for the turnout gear, and in October
that train to that standard,” he says, adding that the department has 31 members. “We’re a very aggressive fire department.” He says all of the department’s personnel train for medical inci-
There’s a lot going on at the 150 Mile Fire Department. we get a new air compressor to fill our breathing apparatus, which new is worth $25,000 and I got it for $11,000.” McCarthy says the fire department trains to 1001 standards, which allows its members to do interior attacks on fires. “We’re one of the very few CRD departments
dents. “I am really lucky. I have four or five paramedics at my hall, and some are trained higher than the 1001 standards. I have a really good department.” Some of the members are from Spider Rescue Services, which provides training itself.
The department’s boundaries extend to Knife Creek Road to the city of Williams Lake boundaries; to the end of Pigeon Road off Highway 97; to the border of Miocene on Horsefly Road; as far as Mountain House Road on Likely Road; all of Mission Road; and it does a contract service for the Williams Lake Indian Band. The department’s call volume has increased over the past few years, which not only includes calls for fires but also medical/first responder calls. It also does mutual aid with the Williams Lake, Miocene, and Wildwood fire departments, with the Williams Inn fire that took place earlier this year being a prime example of a mutual aid call.
McCarthy says he is extremely proud of the 150 Mile House Volunteer Fire Department. “We have great attendendence, we have great personnel, and we have no problems with retention,” he says, adding that the department also hosts annual spring training for other departments. “We had 80 firefighters there last year.” And when firefighters aren’t busy training, space at the fire hall is available to the community. It’s used for exercise classes on Tuesday mornings, carving on Wednesday mornings, and yoga on Thursday mornings. It is also used by Boy Scouts and 4-H and for community events and meetings.
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Fire Prevention Week - October 7th - 13th, 2012
Williams Lake fire chief to retire from job he loves Erin Hitchcock Fire Prevention 2012 Fire Chief Randy Isfeld is looking to retire soon, ending a 37-year career with the Williams Lake Fire Department. “I was a volunteer for 10 years and full time for the last remaining time,” he says. Over his career, he has seen firsthand devastating blazes such as the Lakeview Hotel fire in 2005 that left three dead. He was severely injured in the Avco fire in 1992, causing him to nearly lose his leg, and as recently as February of this year, he has seen another hotel go up in flames — the Williams Inn fire. Luckily, in that fire, all of the building’s occupants got out OK and no emergency personnel were harmed either. “About the only big fire we have been to this year has been the Williams Inn. That was quite an event, but not uncommon for the city,” Isfeld says, adding the Williams Lake department received assistance from
150 Mile and Wildwood departments, as well as from the RCMP. “It seems every couple of years we go to a large structure (fire) of some kind.” The fire department has 42 members and has been to about 188 calls so far this year, which includes collisions, officer pages, and fires. In 1992, the Avco building (now the Phoenix building) had a back-draft explosion. “I almost lost my left leg in that fire. I was out of commission for about six months,” he says, adding that he has since had several operations. “I’ve still got my leg, so that’s good.” Despite the experience, Isfled was not deterred from being a firefighter. In fact, it may have reaffirmed his decision to fight fires. “I was just so humbled by how so many people took the time to either send me a card or come in and see me when I got home,” he says, adding he still has a large box full of newspaper articles and get-well cards at home.
Isfeld says the Lakeview Hotel was a traumatic experience, for the building’s occupants and for the fire department members. He recalls how firefighters entered the building via a ladder on the third floor and rescued two people from a room, including a man who was helped down the ladder. “The lady, they had to go inside the room, and as they were breaking the lady out through the window and got her on the ladder, they were half in and half out, and the building collapsed over, so it was a fairly heroic act because they knew the dangers as they were reaching in to get this person out. But they got them down, and the ambulance got the woman resuscitated again.” But when the firefighters tried to reposition the ladder to rescue three others, it was too late. “Certainly the guys were doing everything they should have been doing but we just couldn’t. That was fairly traumatic for everybody.”
Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department
The Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department has nearly 20 active members. Last year, the fire hall was expanded and renovated.
The building was destroyed, and the fire determined to be arson. The person(s) responsible were never caught. “As far as I know that case is still open. Because there were deaths involved, it doesn’t close.” After the fire three of the department firefighters received honorary mentions from the Fire Commissioners Office. Isfeld was the manager of the Fields store in Williams Lake when a friend of his got him interested in joining the Williams Lake Volunteer Fire Department in 1976, “After about the first six months I was in, I think I realized I was in the wrong career all together. I wanted to be a firefighter.” Isfeld and his wife Linda, who have been married for 42 years, have three children and five grandchildren who will keep them busy once Isfeld retires. Two of his children have followed in his fire-fighting footsteps. His son Kurtis is deputy director at the Cariboo Fire Centre. His other son Car-
son has been with the Delta Fire Department for about seven years. His daughter Deanna is opening a home business in Langley. Isfeld also plans to travel, spend time fishing, and enjoy hobbies such as woodworking and horseback riding. It’s not yet known who will replace Isfeld as chief, but he says there is a succession plan in place. “It’s been a fantastic career,” he says. “I am extremely proud of this department.” He looks back to the late fire chief Dale Moon, with whom he was friends with for more than 30 years, and who taught him a great deal. “I’ve got a thing on the bottom of my e-mail I got years ago that says find something you love to do and you will never have to work a day in your life. That’s just how this job has been. I love coming to work. The staff we have here, the immediate staff I work with at the city and the fire hall
Horsefly Volunteer Fire Department
The Horsefly Volunteer Fire Department is a small, rural fire department located in Horsefly, about 70 kilometres from Williams Lake.
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are fantastic and certainly the members.” Because of the nature of the job the firefighters aren’t just coworkers; they are like family. “We do a very dangerous task sometimes, sometimes not so much, but in some cases we do. We need to look at the person beside you and know that person is going to look after you when you are in there because everything is done as team work. Very seldom is something done individually. “I’ve had a tremendous career with the Williams Lake Fire Department. I have enjoyed every moment of it and still do. I know I am going to miss the job when I leave it. Having said that, it’s time for me to move on.” He says it will be a bittersweet moment because, while he is looking forward to retirement, he will miss the people he works with. “I certainly will stay in touch,” he notes. “For the last 30-some years, the fire department has been my life.”
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Salute to the
Randy Isfeld, Chief
Excelsior Jewellers 24C S. 2nd Ave.
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Tallon Rolston, Captain
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Des Webster, Deputy Fire Chief
Woodland Jewellers
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Joe Engelberts, Captain
Kathy Ferguson
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Williams Lake Fire Department
Dr. Michael J. Bos, DC
250-392-7717
L
Joan Flaspohler, Lt.
AKETOWN FURNISHINGS Ltd. Savings, Service and Satisfaction since 1971
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Greg Ford THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE Naomi E. Smith, BA, RMT 250-392-7717
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Page 6
Page 7
Salute to the
Randy Isfeld, Chief
Excelsior Jewellers 24C S. 2nd Ave.
250-392-4747
Tallon Rolston, Captain
850 850 Oliver OliverSt. St. • 250-392-4169 250-392-4169
Des Webster, Deputy Fire Chief
Woodland Jewellers
Special Gifts for Special People since 1933
150 Oliver Street
250-392-5423
Just Because... Ladies Clothing Boutique
Beside the Post Office
778-412-2229
Derek Beaulieu
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Joe Engelberts, Captain
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Williams Lake Fire Department
Dr. Michael J. Bos, DC
250-392-7717
L
Joan Flaspohler, Lt.
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Rick Jelley, Asst. Chief
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Page 8
4
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Page 10
Fire Prevention Week - October 7th - 13th, 2012
Miocene department keeps community fire-safe Erin Hitchcock Fire Prevention 2012 Every month, volunteers with the Miocene Volunteer Fire Department have a chance to win a prize during the fire hall’s monthly appreciation draw. The draw is an incentive started in the spring to encourage volunteers to attend practices. “Anybody that shows up for practice, their name then goes in a draw and we pull a name once a month,� says Miocene Fire Chief Stan Pogue, adding that at the end of the year, the 12 names that were pulled go back into another draw at the department’s annual Christmas party for entrants to have a chance to win a bigger surprise package. “We’re trying to think of ways to entice people to come out a little bit.� The Miocene Fire Department, located at the corner of Horsefly and Spokin Lake roads, has 19
volunteers, though they can’t always attend practices due to work or other commitments. “We have people who do shift work at the mills, guys who are in camp for logging, but they’re home on the weekends, and others like myself who work in town.� The fire department hasn’t had to respond to a fire call since December, though it has responded to a number of medical calls. “We actually have a very, very fire safe community,� he says, noting there are the occasional calls for a minor chimney fire. “We haven’t had any big structure fires, no forestrytype fires, not even grass fires.� But that doesn’t mean members aren’t busy. In addition to attending non-fire calls, volunteers are working on other projects. Last year, for example, the fire hall was expanded. “We needed more room,�
Pogue says. “We had three trucks in the hall initially and if you didn’t have a road map or tie a string to your foot, you would never find your way back out again.� Now that the expansion is complete, the fire hall has a 45-by-45-foot free span training room. The department is also working on a water hydrant project. “We are putting tanks in the ground with pumps off Rose Lake so we will be able to have water access even at 40 below without having to cut holes in the ice,� he says, adding the tanks are in but the project can’t be completed until the water level at Rose Lake goes down so an underground pipe can be installed. However, he is optimistic the project will be completed by the winter. The expansion and the water hydrant project are two examples of projects
Miocene Volunteer Fire Department
Miocene Volunteer Fire Department members are (back row) Brenda Proctor and Jo Doyle; (middle) Deputy Fire Chief Norm Leslie, Phil Lotzer, Rusty Furlong, Dora Althaus, Training Officer Thomas Bauer, Jane Barnett, Peter Van Immerzeel, Kevin Bendickson, Bruce McKeown, and Fire Chief Stan Pogue; and (front) Megan Flett, Rudy Klassen, Brenda McKeown, Thais Dasilva, Shirley Furlong, Tammy Drodge (support), and Gord Flett. Missing from photo are Kathy Balogh and Paul Airey.
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that can only be done by collecting donations. “We don’t get anything from the government,� he says, noting that while the fire department is a Cariboo Regional District department and does receive money from taxpayers, there are only so many funds available in the budget. “Everything we do, right
from fuel to buying pens and pencils, everything comes out of that (budget). “When you consider an SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus), air pack and frame, to replace it brand new is about $4,500 each.� One of the other items the department is working on to replace is a water tank
on one of its trucks. “There’s a whole bunch of things that are in the works, but you can’t do everything at the same time.� he says. Anyone who is interested in joining the Miocene Fire Department can call Stan Pogue at 250-2963338 or Norm Leslie at 250-296-4464.
Tyee Lake Volunteer Fire Department raising funds The Tyee Lake Volunteer Fire Department is raising funds for a new home. Fire Chief Rick Jelley says fundraising is being
done through community events to build a proper fire hall/community hall and expand equipment. “We are looking to raise about $60,000 (total).
“So far we’ve got $25,000,� Jelley says, adding that people who would like to donate can contact Jelley at 250-3924818.
Tyee Lake Volunteer Fire Department
Tyee Lake Volunteer Fire Department members are Tony Clark, Graham Smith, Rick Jelley, Dale Flemming, Eric Halfnights, Cheryl Lawrence, Chris Lawrence, Irene Renschler, Albert Renschler and Tom Burke.
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Page 11
Fire Prevention Week - October 7th - 13th, 2012
Open fire prohibitions remain in place in Cariboo Fire Centre Jenny Fremlin Cariboo Fire Centre Between April 1 and Sept. 18, the Cariboo Fire Centre responded to 179 wildfires that covered 1,029 hectares. Both the number of wildfires and the number of hectares burned were higher than the same period in 2011. However, the 2011 fire season was one of the quietest on record. This fire season’s numbers are still below the 10-year average of more than 270 fires by this point, covering more than 39,000 hectares. Open fire prohibitions remain in place throughout the entire Cariboo Fire Centre. They specifically prohibit the burning of more than two piles larger than one metre by one metre, and the burning of grass over any area or size. If you’re planning to conduct a burn, please follow these fire safety tips: • Keep the fire sites away from buildings, trees and other combustible materials.
• Do not burn during windy conditions. • Have adequate people, water and hand tools available to prevent the fire from escaping. • Never leave a fire unattended. After extinguishing the fire, always ensure that the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area. The onus is on the individual to ensure that permitted fires are ignited and maintained safely. Anyone found responsible for an escaped fire may be held liable for fire suppression costs and damages. Every season, Cariboo Fire Centre personnel are involved in numerous public events that often focus on providing forest fire prevention information. This season was no exception. Fire centre crews, staff members and Smokey the Bear visited schools to teach students about campfire safety and how to report a wildfire (by calling 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone). Staff also set up display booths at various community gatherings, providing
Photo courtesy of the Cariboo Fire Centre
The Big Bar Creek wildfire was discovered on Aug. 21 and was mapped at 406 hectares. The cause of the fire is under investigation. information to residents about fire prevention, fuel management and FireSmart principles. During less active times in the fire season, firefighting crews make it a priority to undertake fuel management projects.
Likely Fire Department
Marvin Doney shows Lyn Salmon how to use a fire extinguisher in some training the Likely Fire Department put on at Spanish Mountain Gold, in Likely.
This season, crews were involved with a project behind Chilcotin Estates that had them pruning trees, creating more space between trees in the forest stand, and removing combustible materials from the forest floor.
This was all done to help reduce potential wildfire threats in that area. Other project sites included an area along Airport Road and an area directly across from the Williams Lake Regional Airport. There have been two
wildfires of note within the Cariboo Fire Centre so far this season: the Enterprise Road wildfire and the Big Bar Creek wildfire. At its peak, the Enterprise Road fire covered 271 hectares. This lightning-caused fire was first discovered on July 18 and is fully extinguished. The Big Bar Creek wildfire was first discovered on Aug. 21 and was mapped at 406 hectares. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and because some areas of the fire are inaccessible to fire crews, some smoke may be still be visible within the fire’s perimeter. This fire is currently at a “patrol� status. The Cariboo Fire Centre was able to assist other agencies this summer with their wildfire response. Crews and personnel were deployed out of province to multiple jurisdictions, with the most recent being Washington state. Crews from the Yukon also assisted with local fire suppression efforts during the middle of August, after wildfire activity here increased.
Big Lake Volunteer Fire Department
Big Lake firefighters include Vince Sorley (front left), Lee Sollenberger, Murray Dyment, Russell Dyment, Sharon Bruneski, Ray Bruneski; Dana Paul (middle left), Virginia Waters, Roger Mayer, Ken Waters, Vic Woods. Joel Bruneski (back left), Scott Sollenberger, Dan Swan, Ross Woods, Karl Schiemann.Â
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Page 12
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK OCT. 7-14
Smoke alarms save lives “Fall back� to smart home safety As most Canadians turn back the clocks on November 4, here are some timely smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) safety tips: s 7HEN YOU change your clocks, test your smoke arlam. s 9OU HAVE less than three minutes to escape a fire. So when smoke alarms sound, everyone must know what to do and where to go. Having and practising an escape plan is essential. s )NSTALL ONE SMOKE ALARM on every storey and outside BEDROOMS )NSTALL INSIDE bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. s %NSURE ALL SMOKE ALARMS are fully powered. Never take out batteries or remove an alarm from ceiling due to a false alarm. s )F YOUR HOME HAS ANY fuel-burning devices such as a gas furnace, gas water heater, gas appliances, or an attached garage or carport, install at least one CSAapproved carbon monoxide outside all sleeping areas. One per storey is recommended.
s 2EPLACE SMOKE ALARMS EVery 10 years, and CO alarms every 7-10 years (depending on manufacturer) whether battery operated or hardwired into your home’s electrical system. Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless. So without a CO alarm, humans cannot detect its presence. Despite the average home having several potential sources of the deadly gas, studies show that nearly 60 per cent of Canadians have not INSTALLED A #/ ALARM )N ADdition to being impossible to detect, CO also has another nefarious trait. Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure mimic the flu, without the FEVER )T IS ROUTINELY RESPONsible for thousands of clinic and hospital visits each year, and is commonly misdiagnosed. Prolonged or extreme exposure causes nausea, dizziness, confusion, the loss of physical mobility, brain damage and ultimately, death. More home safety resources can be found on the www. safeathome.ca web site.
Analysis was undertaken on almost 50,000 fires that occurred in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario over a 5-year period involving 663 fatalities. The findings demonstrated that the death rate per 1,000 fires in the absence of a present, functioning smoke alarm was 74% greater than when a functioning smoke alarm was present.
In case of fire - GET OUT AND STAY OUT – never go back into a burning building s #RAWL LOW NEAR THE mOOR TO the nearest exit maintaining contact with the wall. s 4EST THE DOOR BY FEELING IT WITH THE BACK OF YOUR HAND )F it is hot, do not open. Use an alternative route. s )F THE DOOR AND KNOB ARE cool, stay low with your shoulder against the door while opening slowly. Be ready to close the door if smoke and heat rush in. s )F TRAPPED PUT AS MANY
closed doors as possible between you and the fire, and seal all cracks in doors and windows with towels or bedding. s )F YOUR CLOTHING CATCHES fire, stop where you are, drop gently to the ground and cover your face with your hands while rolling back-and-forth to put out the flames. s #OOL MINOR BURNS WITH cold water.
Many fatal fires start at night )NVESTIGATIONS into home fire deaths very often find that a smoke alarm did not sound. )T MAY HAVE been disconnected or not in working order. The batteries may have been dead, or someone may have taken them out. Smoke alone won’t necessarILY WAKE YOU UP )N FACT THE fumes could put you into an even deeper sleep. Often, victims never wake up. Se-
niors will often need assistance from family members to put safety measures into place. As well, family members are in the best position to reinforce the precautions necessary to help their loved ones prevent or respond to a fire. Focus on these six priorities to help aging family members protect themselves against fire in the home.
N INSTALL smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. N Larger homes may need ADDITIONAL smoke alarms to provide enough protection. N For the best protection, INTERCONNECT all smoke alarms so when one sounds they all sound. N An IONIZATION smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a PHOTOELECTRIC smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms (also known as dual sensor alarms) are recommended. N Smoke alarms should be INSTALLED away from the kitchen to prevent false alarms. Generally, they should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from a cooking appliance. N REPLACE all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.