Stay Warm, Stay Safe: Fire safety tips with a twist

(Leanne Labbee, a Fire Prevention Officer and Fire and Life Safety Educator with the City of Ottawa Fire Service shares this message to disseminate crucial fire safety information to residents to keep us safe.)

As the temperature drops and we cozy up indoors, winter brings its own set of fire hazards. Did you know that winter is the peak season for residential fires in Canada? With the increased use of heating equipment and appliances, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant about fire safety. From fireplaces and furnaces to chimneys, vents, and space heaters, let’s ensure our homes remain safe havens during the colder months.

Essential Fire Safety Tips:
Here are some simple and fun steps to keep your home fire-safe during the colder months:

  • Annual Inspections: Give your fuel-burning appliances a yearly check-up by a registered fuel contractor. It’s like a spa day for your furnace! Find a contractor at COSafety.ca.
  • Clear Chimneys and Vents: Keep those chimneys and vents free of debris, ice, and snow. Think of it as giving your home a breath of fresh air!
  • Burn Seasoned Wood: Use dry, well-seasoned wood in your fireplace or woodstove. It’s like feeding your fire the gourmet stuff to keep it happy and healthy.
  • Cool Ashes Safely: Let your fireplace or woodstove ashes cool down before emptying them into a metal container. Keep the container outside—ashes need fresh air too!
  • Space Heater Safety: Keep space heaters at least one metre (3 feet) away from anything that can burn, like curtains, upholstery, and clothing. Give them their personal space!
  • Check Electrical Wires: Replace any worn or damaged electrical wires and connections on vehicles and extension cords. Use the right gauge extension cord for vehicle block heaters—no shortcuts here!
  • Use Timers for Block Heaters: Consider using approved timers for vehicle block heaters instead of leaving them on all night. It’s like setting an alarm clock for your car!
  • Avoid Running Vehicles Indoors: Never leave vehicles running inside any garage or building. Your car needs fresh air too!
  • Install Smoke Alarms: Make sure there’s a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas of your home. It’s like having a guardian angel watching over you.
  • Install CO Alarms: Install CO alarms to alert you to the presence of this sneaky, deadly gas. Better safe than sorry!

Additional Tips for Fireplace and Woodstove Users:

  • Build Small Fires: Use a small amount of dry, seasoned wood to keep the flames under control. Avoid overloading your fireplace or stove.
  • Avoid Flammable Materials: Never use highly flammable materials such as wrapping paper or gasoline in a woodstove or fireplace.
  • Use a Screen: Always use a screen in front of the fireplace and never leave children or the fire unattended.
  • Fire Escape Plan: Have a fire escape plan for your house and regularly review it with your family.
  • Keep the Damper Open: Keep the damper of your fireplace or woodstove open until the fire is out and the ashes are cool enough to touch.

Regular maintenance of all heating systems, including furnaces, by licensed technicians is crucial in reducing the risk of a residential fire.

Stay safe and warm this winter by following these fire safety tips and ensuring your home is prepared for the colder months ahead. And remember, a little humor and vigilance can go a long way in keeping the winter blues — and fires — at bay!

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