The recent fire on Second Street in Orangeville hits close to home in more ways than one and is a good reminder to us all about fire safety. It is especially good timing as the winter months approach and some of us start to heat our homes using space heaters or woodstoves. Here are a few quick tips to try to stop a fire from starting and to be prepared if it does.
• Install a smoke alarm on each level of your home, espcieally near or in the kitchen, sleeping areas, and bedrooms. Use the test button to check them each month. Replace all batteries twice a year. A helpful tip is to replace batteries, when the clocks change in the spring and fall.
• Never disable a smoke alarm. If a smoke alarm is being a nuisance, replace it with a different type and make sure it is installed correctly.
• Make sure your homes heating sources are clean and in good working order.
• Store any combustible materials such as paper, clothing, bedding, rugs, or chemicals away from any heat source
• Never leave a space heater unattended.
• Check the electrical wiring in your home, repair or replace any exposed wires, loose plugs or switches, and any frayed extension cords.
• Avoid overloading outlets and extension cords.
• When using a fireplace use a glass or metal screen to keep sparks and rolling logs in the fireplace where they belong.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking . If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup.
• Keep pets off cooking surfaces and countertops.
• Consider keeping a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and contact your local fire department to learn how to use it properly.
• Keep towels, curtains, bags, wooden utensils or anything else flammable away from your stovetop.
• If a fire starts in a pan while cooking remain calm, slide a lid on the pan and do not move it until it cools down, moving the pan may spread the fire and never pour water on a grease fire.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
• Make a fire safety plan and practice it with your family, making sure that your children know what to do when they see a fire or hear a smoke alarm.
• Make sure your children know how to call 9-1-1.
This was just a short list of things you and your family can do to help reduce the risk of fire in your home and to help be prepared for the worst. Contact Absolute Insurance Brokers today at 1-877-941-2266 or contact@absoluteinsurance.ca to make sure your home is insured properly in case of fire or any other claim.
