Home and Fire Safety

Smoke Alarms

Ø      A working smoke alarm will reduce your risk of dying in a fire by 50%.

Ø      Have a smoke alarm on each level of your home and outside the sleeping areas.  For maximum protection, install a smoke alarm in every bedroom.

Ø      Test smoke alarms monthly.  For battery operated alarms, change the battery when you switch your clocks in the spring and fall.

Home Fire Escape Plan

Ø      Plan your escape with everyone in the family.

Ø      Make sure there are two ways out of every room.

Ø      If you live in an apartment, don’t use the elevator.  Use the stairs instead.

Ø      Choose a meeting place outside where everyone will go once they have left the building.

Ø      Once you are outside, STAY OUT!  When everyone is safely out, go to a neighbour’s house and call the fire department.  ESCAPE FIRST, THEN CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT!

Kitchen Safety

Ø      Never leave cooking unattended.  Set a timer to remind yourself to turn off burners and the oven.

Ø      Wear tight fitting clothing or roll up your sleeves while you cook.

Ø      Turn pot handles inward on the stove where you can’t bump them and children can’t reach them.

Ø      Keep the stove surface free from grease, combustible materials and clutter.

Ø      If a grease fire occurs use oven mitts and carefully slide a lid or cookie sheet over the pan and turn off the burner.

Ø      Keep children away from the stove whether it is on or off.

Ø      Don’t hide treats above the stove area.  Children have a way of knowing where they are and may climb on the stove to get at them.