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Safety Tips

^{Smoke Detectors  /   Woodstove Safety  /  Barbeque Safety  /  Home Fire Safety  /  Keep your Family Safe  /    Disposal of Household Waste}

^{Smoke Detectors}

There are two types of technology used in smoke detectors, with advantages of each in detecting certain kinds of fire.

• The ionization type of smoke detector is generally better at detecting fast, flaming fires that burn combustible materials rapidly and spread quickly. Sources could include paper burning in a waste basket or a grease fire in the kitchen. These kinds of fires account for 70% of home fires.
• The photoelectric type of smoke detector is generally better suited for detecting slow-burning fires. These fires may smoulder for hours before they burst into flames and are caused by such things as cigarettes burning in couches or bedding. These kinds of fires make up 30% of home fires.

You may want to consider installing both types of smoke detectors, or models that incorporate both types of technology. This would ensure that you are alerted as early as possible to any kind of fire in your home.

Minimizing Your Risk

You can minimize your family's risk of fire-related injury or death by installing the right number of smoke detectors in the right places in your home, and by keeping them all in good working order.

• Install smoke detectors outside each bedroom and sleeping area, and on each level of your home, including the basement.
• Make sure the smoke detectors in your home have the ULC stamp of approval on the product and packaging.
• Read and follow every step of the manufacturer's directions when you install your smoke detectors.
• Follow the manufacturer's directions for testing and cleaning your smoke detectors.
• Change the batteries as often as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Never "borrow" batteries from your smoke detectors for some other device. Replace any smoke detector that is more than ten years old.
• Hard wired or 110 V smoke alarms still require replacement, check with the manufacturer.  If you replace the 110 V smoke alarm, replace it with one that has a battery back-up.

It is also a good idea to develop a "family escape plan" in case of fire in your home. Practice the plan and make sure your children understand what they should do if they hear warning sounds from smoke detectors. The escape plan should include a meeting point outside the home.

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^{Woodstove Safety}

Woodstoves are a popular alternative heating source for many manufactured homeowners, especially those who own older model homes. Make sure to take proper precautions to ensure that you enjoy the added comfort while minimizing the risk to your family and home.

• Open the dampers before starting a fire in a wood stove
• Vent your stove properly and insulate vent from flammable materials.
• Use paper and kindling wood to ignite a fire.
• Avoid using lighter fluid, kerosene, or gasoline.
• Keep dry wood away from the stove.
• Remember that slow burning fires can create creosote and soot problems.
• Small hot fires are more efficient.
  

Scheduled Maintenance

Weekly: We recommend cleaning the ashes from your stove every week during the heating season. Dispose of ashes in a metal container with a lid and store away from your home and combustibles.

Monthly: Inspect your pipes and connections monthly for creosote and soot build-up.


Warning signs of chimney problems

Build up of creosote (dripping from the base of the chimney or staining of the outer chimney shell); Sluggish draft (smoke spilling out when the woodstove door is opened); Corrosion of the outer shell of a factory built chimney; and, Deterioration of the brickwork of a masonry chimney.

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^{Barbeque Safety}

• Barbecues are for outdoor use only. 
• Only use charcoal briquettes, use only charcoal lighter fluids that
  are specially manufactured for this purpose.
• To light the charcoal briquettes sprinkle them with charcoal lighter fluid, follow the instructions on the lighter fluid container. 
• Never add additional fluid after igniting your barbecues.
• Place your barbecue away from combustibles before lighting.
• Before storing your barbecue, dispose of the ashes by soaking them in water and place them in a covered metal container.
• When buying a gas barbecue, make sure it meets standards of approval.
• Before each use check for leaks by applying soap and water to all
  connections, hoses and cylinder head. If bubbles form you have a
  leak, tighten the connections or replace the defective part. A trained
  professional should replace defective parts.

Before Lighting Your Grill:

• Make sure the lid is open to prevent gas build up
• Never ignite the grill with a match or cigarette lighter.
• Keep your grill away from combustibles when cooking.
• When storing make sure the tank and the grill are both turned off

• Never store a gas grill indoors with the tank attached.

 When Taking Your Tank To Be Refilled Remember To:

• Travel directly to and from the refill station. 
• Keep the tank in an upright position at all times.
• Keep a window open at all times to avoid breathing toxic fumes.
• Make sure your tank is equipped with a safety plug.
• Never leave a tank in an enclosed space such as the trunk of your
  car.
• Never smoke while refilling, reconnecting or transporting the tank.
  

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^{Home Fire Safety}

According to the Home Safety Council's State of Home Safety in America™ Report, fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional home injury and related deaths. Fire safety and survival begin with everyone in your household being prepared. Follow these safety measures from the Home Safety Council to reduce the chance of fire in your home:

Prevent Fires Caused by Cooking:

• Always stay in the kitchen while cooking.
• Keep things that can burn, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, and curtains at least three feet away from the range top.
• Before cooking, roll up sleeves and use oven mitts. Loose-fitting clothes can touch a hot burner and catch on fire.
• Never leave barbecue grills unattended while in use. Keep grills at least three feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.

Prevent Fires Caused by Heating:

• Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from things that can burn, such as curtains or stacks of newspaper. Always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Have a service person inspect chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves and central furnaces once a year. Have them cleaned when necessary.
• Keep things that can burn away from your fireplace and keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace.

Prevent Fires Caused by Smoking:

• Use "fire-safe" cigarettes and smoke outside.
• Use large, deep ashtrays on sturdy surfaces like a table.
• Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping them in the trash.

Prevent Fires Caused by Candles:

• Never leave burning candles unattended. Do not allow children to keep candles or incense in their rooms. Always use stable, candle holders made of material that won't catch fire, such as metal, glass, etc.
• Blow out candles when adults leave the room.

Prevent Fires Caused by Gasoline and Other Products:

• Store gasoline in a garage or shed in a container approved for gasoline storage. Never bring or use gasoline indoors; and use it as a motor fuel only.
• Close the lid on all dangerous products and put them away after using them.
• Store them away from the home and in a safe place with a lock.
• Don't plug in too many appliances at once.

^{Keep Your Family Safe At Home}

• Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect - hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.
• Know how to put out a small pan fire by sliding a lid over the flames.
• Teach every family member to "Stop, Drop and Roll" if clothes catch fire.
• Consider having a home fire sprinkler system installed in your new home, or when you remodel.
• Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher.
• If you have a fire in your home, once you get out, stay out.

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^{Disposal of Household Waste}

Paint Cans - If paint cans contain paint, use peat moss, sand, kitty litter, sawdust or shredded newspaper to soak up remaining paint. Put can covers in the garbage. Once this is done, on "garbage day" place the open paint cans at the curb beside your regular garbage for pickup.

Motor Oil  - Motor oil can be taken to various service stations around the City.

Household Hazardous Wastes include those that are:

	Corrosive such as car battery acid and drain cleaners that will eat away at material and injure skin.
	Flammable such as lighter fluid, turpentine and gasoline that can ignite.
	Explosive such as aerosol containers that may explode if incinerated or stored above 50 degrees Celsius.
	Poisonous such as cleaning fluids, pesticides and medicines that can be poisonous or lethal, even in small quantities, to adults, children and pets.

 
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