Facts & Tips About Fire
On average, fire kills approximately 5,500 people and injures over 300,000 each year.
The major causes of home fires are:
1. Smoking 26%
2. Incendiary or Suspicious 16%
3. Heating 14%
4. Child Playing 10%
5. Electrical Distribution 10%
6. Cooking 8%
7. All other causes 16%
The leading cause of death in a fire is asphyxiation. Fire consumes the oxygen in the air and increases the amount of deadly carbon monoxide, which causes a loss of consciousness or death within minutes. Fire victims rarely see the flames.
Things to be aware of around your home:
Kitchen: Remove pans of cooking fats and oils from the stove when not in use - it is easy to turn on the wrong burner. Unplug electrical appliances when not in use. Do not hang wearing apparel above the stove to dry - they may fall on a burner. Keep matches out of reach of children and use only safety matches. Keep pot handles turned in so as not to entice grabby hands. Have an approved fire extinguisher handy for grease fires.
Livingroom: Provide fire screens for fireplaces as flying brands or sparks can easily start a fire. Do not use extension cords in place of permanent wiring. Provide sufficient electrical outlets for your needs. Provide deep substantial ash trays for smokers and ensure that the contents are placed in a metal container or toilet each evening before retiring.
Bedroom: NEVER smoke in bed. Many people are killed in fires as a result of bedding becoming ignited from a cigarette in the hands of a sleepy person.
Basement and Attics: Remove all unnecessary combustibles from the basement and attic areas. If not removed they will add considerable fuel to fire and make it easier for one to start. Have a service man check all furnace safety controls, the chimney and flue connections for leaks and clean the furnace once a year. Remove flammable liquids from the house. Remove oversized fuses. A 15-ampere fuse is required for regular domestic circuits and, if in doubt, consult a qualified electrician. Have your wiring checked periodically.
In General: Never leave candles un-attended. If you have electric baseboard heaters, leave them free and clear of stuff such as, bedding, clothes, dressers. If you are forgetful, it would be wise to invest in appliances that shut off automatically such as, irons, coffee makers, curling irons. Do not leave space heaters un-attended.
Plan for a Fire
An hour of planning may save years of life. Make regular fire drills a family affair, a serious game but never scary.
Your home should have at least one smoke alarm, but one on every floor is better. Make sure everyone knows two ways out of their bedrooms. A window is usually the alternate route, so make sure the screens and storms are easily removable. If the window does not lead to a porch or roof, then make sure a folding ladder is provided. Be aware of staircases as they can quickly become chimneys for smoke, hot gas and fire.
It's a good idea to keep fire extinguishers handy. Especially in the kitchen and in the garage or basement... where ever your combustibles are kept. When purchasing fire alarms or extinguishers, look for the Underwriter's Laboratories of Canada label. This will assure you that the equipment has been tested and will perform satisfactorily provided it is used and /or installed in accordance with the listing specifications. Make sure your equipment is in good working condition. Clean your alarm twice a year and replace batteries. Keep in mind that battery operated alarms are only good for approximately ten years. How old are yours?
If a fire should happen in your home, a few things to know are: a hot door is a warning. Check it for heat and smoke leaking around the edges. If so, DO NOT open it. Stay low below the smoke. Adults can gently drop children from second floor windows by lowering them by their arms. Don't risk serious injury by jumping in a panic from the window. Stay in the room, close the door tightly, put something at the bottom of it to keep smoke from seeping in. Open a window and hang something outside of it to alert help of where you are.
