Fire Safety
Each residence should have basic fire safety measures in place to protect people, their belongings and their homes in case of fire.
The three things every home should have are:
- Smoke Detectors
- Fire Extinguishers
- Escape Plans
Smoke Detectors
Every house and apartment should have working smoke detectors on every floor, as well as every sleeping room. It is recommended to buy the kind that detects both carbon monoxide and smoke. Detectors vary in cost and can be purchased at any department or hardware store.
Fire Extinguishers
A fire extinguisher is a portable device designed to put out a small fire. You should have at least one fire extinguisher in your home. You need to place your extinguisher near an exit.
Test your smoke alarms monthly. Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and practice using the escape routes with your family twice a year. To make it easier to remember, it is suggested to do it during the fall and spring daylight savings time change.
Escape Plan
You should have an escape plan in case of fire. Everyone in the household should know all the exit points from your house or apartment (windows and doors). Apartment buildings usually have clearly marked emergency exits. Some buildings have an outside escape ladder.
If there is a fire, you should:
- Get everyone out of the house.
- Once everyone is outside, call 911 (or ask someone to do it).
- Get out if the fire becomes large.
- If you can do it safely, close doors and windows behind you to slow down the spread of the fire.
- Once outside, stay out and do not go back for anything.
Do not go back and do not try to put the fire out yourself – just stay out and wait for firefighters to arrive.
Fire extinguishers have to be serviced every year, regardless if they were used or not. They also have to be recharged after any use. Look in the ‘Fire Extinguishers’ section of the Yellow Pages for places where you can purchase a fire extinguisher or have it serviced.
Test your smoke alarms monthly. Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and practice using the escape routes with your family twice a year. To make it easier to remember, it is suggested to do it during the fall and spring daylight savings time change.
Carbon Monoxide Detector
A carbon monoxide detector or CO detector is a device that detects the presence of the carbon monoxide (CO) gas to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. CO is a colourless, tasteless, and odourless gas. It is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it is virtually undetectable by humans. CO detectors are designed to measure CO levels over time and sound an alarm before dangerous levels of CO accumulate in an environment, giving people adequate warning to safely ventilate the area or evacuate.
In case of emergency, call 911.