What's Your Fire-Safety Plan?Home Safety

On average, there are eight fire-related deaths in Canada each week. And the majority of these fatalities happen at home. It's a sad fact. It's also a shocking reminder that fire safety is a must.

Fortunately, there are ways to safeguard your home. Fire prevention is one. Keeping matches, lighters or lit candles away from children, checking electrical cords for wear, avoiding overloading electrical outlets and never leaving heated oil on the stove unattended: These are common sense precautions. To avoid a fire hazard, Fire Prevention Canada instructs not to leave any cooking unattended at the stove and recommends making sure that your appliances and smoke detectors are well maintained and kept clean.

Protect your family and home against fire
Aside from being aware of how to prevent a fire, being prepared for an emergency is the best way to protect your family and your home. Smoke alarms are your first line of defence.

Smoke alarms are available in several models - battery-operated or plug-in devices-which you can set up yourself. (Some are a combination of both, which is recommended for apartment dwellers, since there is a pause feature for "nuisance" alarms.) There are also hardwired units, which are connected to your home's power supply and installed by a professional.

There are also two types of smoke alarms. The most common type uses ionization technology, an effective method of detecting fires that spread quickly, which is why they are recommended for rooms that contain highly combustible materials, such as flammable liquids, newspapers and paint cleaning solutions. Photoelectric smoke alarms are best at sensing fires that may smoulder for hours before catching fire, and are suggested for living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens, where there are large pieces of furniture (such as couches, mattresses or countertops) which burn slowly. The safest bet is to install both types in your home.

Remember, smoke alarms should be tested monthly. They also need to be cleaned (specifically, under the cover where one can gently vacuum out dust) and have their batteries replaced every six months. (An easy reminder is to schedule this maintenance every spring and fall when clocks are changed.)

Smoke alarms also have a lifespan and must be replaced every five to ten years. An important note: All smoke alarm detectors should be certified by the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC).

Fire extinguishers are essential. Did you know that fire extinguishers are labelled A, B, C or D for the type of fire they put out?

• Fire extinguishers labelled A are designed for ordinary combustibles (fires started with paper, wood and fabric).
• Fire extinguishers labelled B are for flammable and combustible liquids (such as fuel oil, gasoline, paint, oil in frying pan, and solvents).
• Fire extinguishers labelled C deal with electrical equipment (including wiring and fuse boxes).
• Fire extinguishers labelled D address metals.

Multi-purpose extinguishers are available, such as ABC, and put out most types of fires. However, you may want to purchase a BC for the kitchen, an A for the living room and an ABC for the basement and garage. In either case, be sure to read the instructions so that you're prepared in the event you need to use one.

Plan for an emergency
The next step in fire safety is to have a plan - a fire escape plan. Most fires occur in the early hours of the morning, which is why having a plan of action, and practicing it, will ensure you and your family can react quickly in case of emergency.

Draw a floor plan of your home showing all possible exits from each room, then set out two escape routes-a main route and an alternate-and designate a meeting place outside. Those who need assistance, such as small children or seniors, should be assigned someone to help them. (Also, in the event of a fire, small children should be taught to open their windows and wave an article of clothing to get attention, and wait for someone to come for help.)

Make sure everyone knows if they hear the smoke alarm or someone shouting "fire", they need to evacuate immediately. Also, instruct them to feel the bedroom door for heat and check the air at the bottom-if you don't see or smell smoke and the air is cool, they should kneel and open the door slowly, turning their face away from the opening. If smoke is present or the door is hot, an alternate exit is needed. (Emergency fire ladders, another safety tool, are a possibility in this case). Discuss this option with a fire official to see if you should equip your home with one. Once your escape plan is fixed, it's important to hold regular fire drills.

Being prepared-installing smoke alarms and fire extinguishers and having a plan of action-is more than a precaution, it's smart protection.