Fire Prevention Feature

During National FirePrevention Week Oct. 4 to 10,

attention is focused on pro -moting fire safety and preven -

tion.However people should

prac tice fire safety all yearlong. Many potential fire haz-ards go undetected becausepeople simply do not take stepsto fireproof their home.

Many bedroom fires arecaused by misuse or poormain tenance of electrical de -vices, care less use of candles,smok ing in bed, and childrenplaying with matches andlighters.

Most potential hazards canbe addressed with a little com -mon sense.

For example, be sure tokeep flammable items like bed -ding, clothes and curtains atleast three feet away fromportable heaters or lit candles,and never smoke in bed.

Also, items such as appli-ances or electric blanketsshould not be operated if theyhave frayed power cords, andelectrical outlets should neverbe overloaded.

Fire safety checklist

Install and maintain a work-ing smoke alarm outside ofevery sleep area and remem berto change the battery at leastonce a year.

Designate two escaperoutes from each bedroom andprac tice them regularly.

Teach everyone the Stop,Drop, and Roll technique incase clothing catches on fire.

Avoid storing old mattres -ses in the home or garage.

Teach kids that matches,lighters, and candles are “tools,not toys.” If you suspect that achild is playing with fire, checkunder beds and in closets fortell tale signs like burned mat -ches. Matches and lightersshould be stored securely.

To find free fire safety edu -cational games and interactiveresources on fire prevention,visit the Sleep Products SafetyCouncil website.

TORONTO - Fire Pre -vention Week is Oct. 4 to 10and this year’s theme is StayFire Smart. Don't Get Burnedaddresses the leading causes offires in Ontario, includingcooking, heating equipment,electrical equipment, cigaret -tes, candles and matches andlighters.

“Almost all fires are pre-

ventable,” said Pat Burke, FireMarshal of Ontario. “That’swhy every year during FirePrevention Week, firedepartments across the pro -vince organize a variety ofactivities within their commu -nities to promote the manyways throughout the year thatpeople can keep their familiessafe from fire.”

A few important safety tipsto remember to prevent a firefrom occurring in a home in -clude:

Have the heating systeminspected annually by a quali-fied technician.

Avoid overloading a circuitwith “octopus outlets.” If addi -tional outlets or circuits arerequired, have them installedby a licensed electrician.

Encourage smokers tosmoke outside. If people havebeen smoking in the house,check behind chairs and sofacushions for cigarette buttsbefore going to bed.

Keep all fire starting mate-rials out of the sight and reachof children. Keep lit candlesaway from child ren and petsand blow out all candles beforeleaving a room. Remember,when you go out blow out.

“Smoke alarms can providethe early notification to safelyget out. Develop a home firees cape plan and practise it tomake sure everyone can get outquickly.”

It is the law to have workingsmoke alarms on every storeyof the home and outside allsleeping areas.

PAGE TWENTY The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, October 2, 2009

“STAY FIRE SMART! DON’T GET BURNED©.”OCTOBER 4 - 10, 2009

“Stay Fire Smart” Don’t get burned

Wellington HeightsSecondary School

405 Sligo Rd., Mount Forest

519 323-3430

Founded in 2004

IT’S FIRE PREVENTION WEEK!

Come Visit us on Saturday October 10

at the Fire Hall 381 Main St. N. Mount Forest

OPEN HOUSE10am - 2pm

Join us for a BBQ, coffee & pop,donations to Camp Bucko

•• Draw Prizes ••

Mount Forest Fire DepartmentTownship of Wellington North

911Fire, Police or Ambulance

SPARKY will be in Attendance

Fire ExtinguisherDemonstrations

Plan your escapeKnow two ways outHave Practice Drills

FIRE PREVENTION WEEKOctober 4-10

• Test smoke detectors monthly• Check Fire Extinguishers annually• Clean chimneys at least annually

• Know grease and electrical hazards• Store paints and propane correctly• Plan and know your escape route• Know your emergency Location #

THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY BY...

FIRE PREVENTION

For a representative in your area contact head office812 Woolwich Street,

Guelph, Ontario N1H 616

(519) 836-2860

Home & AgriculturalInsurance Specialists

R.R. # 2, Guelph

P. 519-856-4622 F. 519-856-1274

www.edenhousecarehome.caadmin@edenhousecarehome.ca

“Serving Seniors Since 1968”

EDEN HOUSENURSING HOME RETIREMENT HOME

“A Nice Place to Live”TM

· Licensed by Ont. Ministry of Health· 24 Hour professional nursing care

· One storey building

OCTOBER 4 - 10 - Fire Prevention Week Eden House residents, staff and

managementrecognizes the

leadership, dedication and

commitment of the

Guelph/Eramosa Fire Department, Rescue Unit, OPPand Ambulance

Services.

The Arthur Area Fire Dept& Sparky

Invites you to join usSaturday October 3rd | 10am-3pm

“Smoke Alarms Save Lives”- A safety message from Sparky

See you at our Open House!

Fire Safety week is coming - but practice safety all year round

‘Stay fire smart; don’t get burned”

Fire Prevention Week STAY FIRE SMART!

DON’T GET BURNEDOCTOBER 3-9 2009

Stay fire smart! The Guelph Fire Department encourages residents to stayfire smart! Visit guelph.ca/fire for fire safety tips to prevent home fires.

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

Fire Department Open HouseSaturday, October 3 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Fire Department Headquarters, corner of Wyndham & Wellington.Free parking at Fountain St. parking lot

FREE barbecue and cake Sparky the Fire DogTour the fire station Junior Firefighter ChallengeFire service demos Fire safety gamesAntique fire trucks Guelph Fire Museum

DateSunday, October 4

Thursday, October 8

Time10am - 2pm

4pm- 8pm

LocationCanadian Tire,Stone Road

West EndCommunity Centre

ActivityFire Prevention display and FireSafety Trailer

Fire Safety Trailer

Oct. 4 in historyOn Oct 4, 1922, one of the

ten worst disasters in Canadianhistory swept through theTemiskaming District. A seriesof brush fires started by home-steaders to the north quicklygrew out of control. Soon araging brush fire, covering 648square miles, descended onHaileybury. Only the statelyhomes along "Millionaires'Row" were spared. InHaileybury alone, 90% of thetown was destroyed, leaving3500 people homeless and 11dead, and $2,000,000 in prop-erty damage.

Staying alive could dependon following some of these firesafety tips.

Make a family fire escapeplan and keep that escaperoutes free of obstructions.

Practice the plan often, andkeep these pointers in mind;they will tell you ideas fromthose who know what it takesto get out alive:

Stay calm.Sound a warning.If you awaken to a smoke-

filled room, crawl below thesmoke to safety.

Check the doors to see ifthey are warm. A warm doormay mean that there is a fire onthe other side. Use an alternateexit, if possible.

Get everyone out; wrapchildren in blankets if neces -sary - and do not take time to

get dressed because it couldkill you.

Close the doors behind youas you evacuate. That will slowdown the fire.

If it is safe to do so, turn offall appliances as you leave.

If hair or clothing shouldcatch on fire, smother theflames with a towel, blanket, orother thick material, or stop,drop and roll out the flames.Get medical attention as soonas possible.

Call the local fire servicesfrom a safe location. Do notdelay.

There are also ways to beready for fires.

Check your smoke alarmregularly and replace the batt -ery as necessary.

Avoid careless smoking.Use ashtrays and never smoke

in bed Avoid unsafe cooking prac -

tices. Use caution when fryingand keep a lid close by to covera pot of hot grease in case itcatches fire.

Avoid storing unnecessaryflammable liquids in the homeor attached garage. Never storepropane cylinders in a home or

attached garage.Do not use unsafe electrical

appliances. Discard frayedextension cords and do not usethem as permanent wiring. Donot overload circuits.

Twice a year, tighten fusesin the panel or check circuitbreakers for free operation.

Ensure that the wood-stove

and chimney are safelyinstalled and maintained.

Clean-up regularly base-ment, yard, and storage areas.

The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, October 2, 2009 PAGE TWENTY ONE

• “Working” Smoke alarms SAVE Lives!Check yours monthly! It’s the Law!

• Know and Practice your “Fire Escape Plan”

• NEVER leave a burning candle unattended

Have a SAFE Fire Prevention Weekfrom your friends at the

Centre Wellington Fire & Rescue Fergus & Elora StationsFor more information on fire safety please contact: Tom Mulvey,

Public Safety Officer 519-843-1950 or tmulvey@centrewellington.ca

FIRE PREVENTIONWEEK

October 4th - 10th, 2009

“Stay Fire Smart - Don’t get Burned”

Minto Fire Department

FIRE ESCAPE PLANThe Minto Fire Department

encourages everyone to create andpractice a Fire Escape Plan for theirfamily. Figure out where your meeting

place is outside of the house and figure 2 ways out of every room.

This is a great exercise you can dowith family. If you have any

questions, you can contact the Minto Fire Department 519-343-3735.

Palmerston Station 519-343-3735Harriston Station 519-338-3046Clifford Station 519-327-8411.

31 Hayes Ave, Guelph

519-823-1150www.spira.ca

• Automatic Sprinkler Systems• Standpipe & Fire Hose Systems• Annual Inspections & Testing• 24 Hour Emergency Service

Protecting Lives and Propertyfrom the Devastation of Fire

since 1972

189 George St. ARTHUR

519-848-3938

1-800-665-5582

Fax: 519-848-3077jsmith@on.aibn.com

Call or drop in for a competitive quote. Many discounts available including abstainers. Auto, Home, Farm,Commercial & Motorcycles

PUSLINCHFire & Rescue

Office #: 519-821-3010Cell #: 519-837-0690

STAY FIRE SMART!Play SAFE!Work SAFE!Drive SAFE!

RaffertyInsurance Brokers Ltd.AUTO - HOME - FARM

BUSINESS - RENTERS - COMMERCIAL

Downtown Fergus 101 St. Andrew St. W.(519) 843-3750

www.rafferty.on.ca

“STAYFIRE SMART”

DON’T GETBURNED

OPEN HOUSESaturday, October 10, 9-12pm

at the Rockwood Fire HallJOIN US FOR THE

FIRE FIGHTERS BREAKFASTat Rockmosa 8-12pmAdults $7.00 Children $5.00

All proceeds to the new Rockwood Medical Centre~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Are your smoke alarms in working order?

~ NEW ~Door to door Smoke alarm program

in Rockwood starting Monday evenings in October

HAVE A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN.Know at least 2 ways out of every room, if possible, and a meeting place outside.

PRACTICE YOUR ESCAPE PLAN TWICE PER YEAR.

“STAY FIRE SMART! DON’T GET BURNED©.”OCTOBER 4 - 10, 2009

WOODSTOVE SAFETYTime to check your chimney.BE SURE TO USE DRY WOOD.

Contact Helen Broadfoot 519-843-1055

Wellington County Farm and HomeSafety Association

Fire Prevention Week: Stay fire smart; don’t get burned

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