Protecting Yourself Against Fire
1. Check your smoke detectors
- Install smoke detectors outside bedrooms and on each floor of your home, including the
basement.
- Make sure dust does not collect on smoke detectors and never paint over them.
- Do not use rechargeable batteries; they can fail without warning.
- Check smoke detectors at least once a month.
- Replace batteries at least once a year or, better yet, when you change your clocks in the spring and fall.
- Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.
2. Establish a fire evacuation plan
- Draw a diagram of your home, indicating two exits from each room.
- Hold fire drills with all members of your family.
- Decide on a place where you can meet outside and call for help.
- Practice crawling to avoid the heat and smoke.
- Remind all family members that they must go out and stay out.
3. Use your kitchen safely
- Don’t leave anything cooking unattended. Turn off the stove even if you leave the room only for a few seconds.
- Use a CSA-approved fryer.
- Wear close-fitting clothing that won’t catch on pot handles.
- Turn pot handles inward to reduce the risk of accidentally overturning the pot and to prevent children from grabbing it.
- Do not let children get closer than one meter (three feet) when you are cooking.
4. Hide matches and lighters
- Ask children to tell you when they find matches or lighters.
- Remind them each time that such items are for adults only.
5. Be careful if you smoke
- Never smoke in bed.
- Use only wide, stable ashtrays.
- Wet cigarette butts before disposing of them.
- After extinguishing a cigarette, make sure there are no ashes or butts on or around the furniture.
|
