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 A
fire can destroy your home and its contents in a matter of minutes.
If you understand the nature of fire and take a few simple precautions
to prevent them, you can avert disasters and save lives.
Before a fire
- install
and maintain smoke alarms (ULC and\or CSA approved if hardwired)
- develop
and practice an escape plan
- post emergency
numbers near the telephone - however, during a fire you must
go to another location
to call 9-1-1
- install
A-B-C type extinguishers in the home for use on very small
fires (ie. stovetop) - read the operation
guidelines
carefully
prior to installation
- do not store
combustibles in closed areas
- when cooking,
keep stovetop clear of combustibles
- for pan
fires use the lid or an extinguisher
to extinguish
flames
- do not pour
water on grease fires
- check electrical
wiring and replace if cracked or frayed
- do not place
electrical wires beneath rugs, over nails, or in high traffic
areas
- never overload
your electrical outlets or extension cords
During a fire
- get out
quickly and call 9-1-1 from an exterior location
- use the
stairs to escape (not elevators)
- close doors
to each room as you leave to hinder fire spread
- if smoke
is pouring into a room with a closed door, or if the door feels
hot do not open it
- open a window
for fresh air and wait for the firefighters
- if there
is no smoke seeping into the room and the door does not feel
hot,
you can attempt to escape by opening
the door
slowly
- if the hallway is smoky, stay inside and close
door and call 9-1-1
- after exiting
the building, never return indoors to claim personal articles
or pets
After a fire
- give first
aid where appropriate
- seriously
injured victims should be transported immediately to hospital
- never go
back inside a damaged building to assess damage - wait for
firefighters to escort you
- discard
food exposed to heat, smoke and soot
- contact
your insurance agent - do not remove any contents until your
home has been
assessed by the agent
For more fire
safety tips view our safety
and fire prevention pages.
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