Access to fire safety equipment like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and portable fire extinguishers is your best defence against fire or carbon monoxide hazards.
Fire statistics show that most fire injuries and deaths occur in the home. Installing and keeping your equipment in good shape by checking them often will ensure they work when needed.
Smoke Alarms
A working smoke alarm is your first line of defence if there is a fire in your home. Install alarms throughout your home and ensure everyone in your home can hear the smoke alarm when activated.
Installing Smoke Alarms
Remember, smoke rises. Install smoke alarms on the ceiling or high up on a wall according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Consider adding interconnected smoke alarms, if one smoke alarm goes off, they all do, helping to keep everyone safe.
Smoke alarms and alert devices are available for people who are deaf/hard of hearing or for those who are heavy sleepers. Strobe lights or pillow/bed shakers are also available.
Smoke Alarms Save Lives
Be sure the smoke alarm bears the label of an independent testing lab and test the batteries regularly.
- Get out of the building and stay out
- Never go back inside for people or pets
- If you have to escape through smoke, get low and crawl under the smoke toward your exit
- Call 911 from outside your home
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing smoke alarms
- Install smoke alarms within 5 metres of each bedroom
- Test alarms each month by pressing and holding the test button
- Replace alarm batteries at least once a year
- Replace all alarms (both electrical and battery-operated) every 10 years
- Vacuum out the alarm every 6 months
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless, toxic gas. It is produced when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil and methane are burned incompletely.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Hazards
There is an extremely low risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from regularly maintained appliances that are properly ventilated. Improperly installed or poorly maintained appliances that use fuels (gas, oil, coal, wood, charcoal, kerosene, propane or natural gas) may create unsafe levels of carbon monoxide.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms in a central location outside each sleeping room as well as on every level of the home
- For the best protection, all carbon monoxide alarms should be interconnected so that when one sounds, they all sound
- Test your carbon monoxide alarm at least once a month and replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Replace the batteries annually
- Never remove batteries or disable alarms
Purchasing a carbon monoxide alarm
When you purchase a carbon monoxide alarm, make sure that it is certified to Canadian standards. Products with CSA 6.19-01 on the packaging have been tested to the Residential Carbon Monoxide Alarming Devices standards. The alarm will also show a replacement date.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation, proper use and maintenance. Carbon Monoxide alarms are usually installed between sleeping areas and your appliances.
- Review user manuals
- Get your appliances checked annually by a qualified service technician or heating contractor
- Use appliances only for the purpose for which they are intended
- Check that chimneys, fireplaces and vents are not corroded or blocked by snow or other debris
- Do not operate chainsaws, lawn mowers, snow blowers, gas or charcoal grills in an enclosed area such as a garage, workshop or shed
- Immediately move your vehicle out of the garage after starting the engine to prevent exhaust flames from seeping into the building through connecting doors or vents
Signs of Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Exposure to the gas can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue, burning eyes, vomiting and loss of muscle control.
As there can be many other causes for these symptoms, including the flu, carbon monoxide poisoning is often difficult to diagnose. Other warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Stale or stuffy air
- Excessive moisture on windows and walls
- Soot buildup around appliances and vents
- A yellow flame in a natural gas appliance instead of a blue flame
- A pilot light that keeps going out
Portable Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers should be located in areas containing potential fire hazards including the kitchen, workshop, garage and basement. It is best to place the extinguisher near the door so you can reach it easily, extinguish the fire and safely escape.
Know How and When to Use An Extinguisher
It is always better to fight a fire through prevention and early detection. However, with training and practice, adults can use portable fire extinguishers to extinguish small contained fires such as a cooking pan, wastebasket fire or campfire. This may minimize property damage and prevent needless injury.
Remember to PASS when operating an extinguisher.
Pull
Aim
Squeeze
Sweep
- Keep a safe distance from the fire when using the extinguisher
- Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you
- Remove the pin or lever release mechanism to unlock the operating lever
- Hold the extinguisher vertically and aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
- Squeeze the handle to fully release the contents of the extinguisher
- Move the nozzle from side-to-side in a sweeping motion at the base of the fire
- Fight the fire closest to you and continue the sweeping motion until the fire is extinguished
If you discover a fire, you can use a portable fire extinguisher if:
- Everyone has left the fire area and is evacuating the building
- The fire department has been called
- The fire is contained to a small area
- A clear escape route exists between you and the fire
- There is an appropriate working fire extinguisher available
- You have read the extinguisher instructions and received training in its safe operation
- If you don't know how to use it
- If you are breathing in smoke or gases
- If the fire is larger than you are
Note: A portable fire extinguisher is designed for a "small" contained fire
Class A - Materials normally found around the home (wood, paper, cloth and rubber)
Class B - Flammable or combustible liquids (grease, oil-based, lacquers and some rubbers)
Class C - Energized electrical equipment and household appliances (televisions, radios and stoves)
Class D - Combustible metals (magnesium, sodium or potassium)
- Check the pressure gauge each month to ensure the device is holding its charge
- Refill or replace your extinguisher after each use
- Rechargeable extinguishers should be serviced by a professional after every use
- Disposable extinguishers must be replaced after use