Make Home Fire Safety a New Years Resolution

It's that time of year again, and I am sure you, like everyone has accumulated a list of New Years Resoultions.  But what about the safety of yourself and your family?  Of course, that is of top importance, but its easily slipped from our minds that we should in fact impelement a safety routine in case of a home fire.  Here are some tips for you and your family:

GENERAL

• You should have a smoke alarm outside of your sleeping are, and one per level of your household
• Smoke alarms need to be in working order and tested monthly
• Replace your smoke alarm batteries every 6 months, regardless if the batteries in the device still are working
• Have an escape plan and practice it with all of your family members regularly
• Make sure all of the occupants if your house know the important emergency numbers (post on fridge, or on a bulletin board and do not move)
• Agree to a meeting place in case of a fire or emergency and make sure that everyone knows where that is.  With young children engrave it in their memory but randomly asking and telling them where that is

BASEMENT

The basement is often overlooked when preparing to make your family home fire safe.

• Remove all combustibles near your furnace
• Ensure that your furnace filters are clean and in good shape.  Maybe put a reminder on your calendar every so often to check because this often slips peoples minds.
• NO matter where your laundry is located, make sure that you remove lint build up in the dryer vent and lint collector
• Ensure minimum windows size in basement sleeping areas

OUTSIDE

Yes! Outside too!

• Make sure that your house number is visible from the street.  If you live in a rural area, make sure your land number is in front of your driveway, easily readable for emergency vehicles.  If you do not have one, contact your rural municipality and request one
• Clear snow build up blocking air exhaust vents
• Remove excessive combustibles and propane cylinders stored on balcony or by the home.
• Avoid excessive wood piles and all brush.  This also helps with pest control as mice and other critters are attracted to this conveniently built homes.

HOUSEHOLD AREAS

• Determine two ways out of sleeping rooms and living areas
• Make sure secondary exit windows easily open
• Make sure bars on bedroom windows can be easily opened from the INSIDE
• All exit and interior doors work properly
• Outlets are not overloaded, cracked or uncovered.  We often have wires everywhere, you should see behind my TV.  Check often and remove any cords, wires that are not being used and Remove them
• Do not leave small appliances plugged in when you are not using them.  Coffee maker, toaster, hair dryer etc.
• All electrical cords in good shape and NOT running under rugs
• Make sure all household chemicals are stored away from children and household pets
• Matches and lighters out of reach of children/minors. We were all kids once and now the temptation of touching these things, regardless of warnings from our parents/elders.  Out of sight, out of mind.
• Make sure all space heaters have at least 3 feet of space from combustibles

KITCHEN

• Remove all combustibles from cooking areas
• Kitchen hood vent should be cleaned and maintained regularly

LIVING AREA

• If you have a fireplace, make sure it has a proper screen and hearth
• Chimney should be clean and asked disposed of properly
• NO excessive wood piled by fireplace

ATTIC

• Clear aisles and neat storage (no loose combustibles)
• Ensure heating vents are not covered

GARAGE

• Proper storage of mower/snow blower and flammable liquids/propane

INJURY PREVENTION

• Ensure that your water heater thermostat is 49C or 120F or LESS (turn on cold water first, then hot)
• Keep stairs and walking areas of clutter
• Unse non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floor

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Draw an exit plan for every floor of your home and post it where it can be seen at all times.
• Have at least one, if not several well stocked first aid kits in consistent places.  Make sure the children know where to find these as well
• Have flashlights in case of power outages
• Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector.  These can be found at many different types of stores and have been known to save many lives.  You CANNOT SMELL carbon monoxide and the symptoms are often fatally mistaken as not feeling well or being extremely tired. Install one on every floor of your home.  
• Double keyed locks may impede escape
• If you smoke, each room has fire safe ashtrays (safely dispose of ashes).  Better yet, smoke outside.  NEVER smoke around children.
• Have a home fire extinguisher.  Most people have one in the kitchen. Keep it in one spot. Consider having one on every floor of your home.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Have family fire drills and practice with all of the occupants in the home once a month.  Practice makes perfect and in time of an emergency, if yourself and your loved ones know what to do it could mean the difference between life and death.  Please take the time. It always pays to be safe.