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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1998-10-07, Page 13Exeter limes -Advocate i it ila-iii)\'OC'i�'1'1: roads Wednesday, October 7, 1998 • Fire prevention is life saving business . Where there's smoke...Exeter Fire Chief John. Morgan tests a smoke alarm the.right way — by holding a just extin- guished candle to the sensor, not simply pushing the buzzer test button. By Craig Bradford TIMES ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — When was the last time you checked the battery in your smoke "alarm? Well, check it today. The couple of extra minutes left could save you and your family's li es. - Saving lives through preparation is what fire prevention is all about. This week is fire prevention week (Oct. 4-10) and fire officials throughout North America are urging the public to take some time to think about whether they are ready to handle a fire in their home, and it you're not, to make the necessary plans that could avert a.tragedy. The theme of this year's week is 'Fire Drills: The Great Escape'. Exeter and of Area Fire Chief John Morgan wants- ala every family to come up with a fire lar escape plan and practice it just like ab schools do four. times a year. mo "Everyone is supposed to have a fire yea escape plan," Morgan said. "But who I. has actually gone over it with their chil- -sm dren? Knowing what to do is impor- 1 go tant." Hero are thea details every fire esca plan should. include: - •Identify two exits from cwery room. •Feel the' back :of the -door with tl back of your hand to ensure it is not ho then open the door cautiously. if fire an smoke are, suspected on- the other sid use your second exit for escape. •Crawl low under the smoke. •Get out as. quickly as possible; every one meets at a previously ,agreed spo outside the house. - • - ;•Once outside, never return to th building to retrieve valuables, even fami ly photos; no personal- property. is wortl the risk of eirdangering your life., •Practice the plan with the_ entire fami ly so young children will understand what is expected of them. • - Despite this year's theme, Morgan said the number one fire prevention, tactic: is making sure stroke alarms are in each home and are in working order. In 1.997. there were 139 fatal. fires claiming the lives of 154 people in Ontario. Morgan said in nearly half of these incidents -there were. no smoke alarms in the homes or the alarms were not working (the batteries were removed or dead). Sixty-five of these fires occurred between 1-8 a.m. while the occupants were asleep. "When you're sleeping, you need something to wake you' up," Morgan said. It is now law every home requires a smoke alarm. Morgan said it is advisable to have a smoke alarm on each level of your house or apartment, to check to see if the alarms work on a weekly basis and to change the batteries twice a year. "It is a small price to pay for the safety of your family," Morgan said. The Fire Code states that all new homes must have smoke alarms installed -on each level when built, a law that came into effect in 1978. But some der homes still don't have smoke rms. Residential fires account for the gest percentage of fires (30,000 or out 40 per cent in Ontario) and cause. - re than $500 million in damage per r. • Y.1: Pushing the test button on your - oke alarms to see if they work isn't od enough, Morgan said. The best Pe •t; tl NUI J. our SkCI1ON Page 13 Trying it on for size. Sara McEwan tries on Exeter firefighter Bill VandeWorp's helmet during Sunshine Kids Nursery School's visit to the Exeter fire hall last week. Fire officials educate preschool -and kindergarten age children on fire pre- vention basics each year so they'll know what to do in case �f a fire.The kids are also encouraged to pester their parents about making sure there's a fresh battery in the smoke alarm. way to test a smoke alarm is to light a candle, blow it out, and hold the smok- ing wick up tothe alarm. "If that doesn't set it off you have a problem," Morgan said. The life expectancy of a smoke alarm is about 10 years. Morgan advises homeowners to replace smoke alarms older than that. Exeter area residents seem to.have lis- Grand Bend Emergency fire numbers Exeter ............ 235.1600 Dashwood 237-3611 Stephen Township 234-6777 Lucan, Granton and Ailsa Craig Hensall, Zurich tened to the message of fire prevention over the years. Morgan said there has been only- one fire fatality over the last 25 years in the Exeter area. Another tool that will help all emer- gency services out will be the start up of Huron County's 911 service sometime next year. If you have any questions about fire prevention or 'safety, call Morgan at the Exeter fire hall at 235-1981. Home fir The common causes of fires include kitchen grease fires, smokers' materials, electrical fuses, loose connections, short or overloaded circuits, misuse of flamma- ble liquids, greases, oils and waxes. Kitchen fire prevention Remove parrs from .the stove when not in use since it is easy to turn on the wrong burner. Unplug kettles, frying pans or other appliances when not in use. Do not hang clothing above the stove to dry. Only use approved fat -frying appliances when deep-frying. Keep matches out of the reach of children and use only safety matches. Have an approved fire extin- guisher handy for grease fires. In case of a small grease fire ina pan, simply put a cover on the pan — do not throw water on it (it'll just spread the fire). For an oven prevention the contents are placed in a metal con- tainer each evening before going to bed. Bedroom prevention Never smoke in bed. Many people die in fires as a result of bedding becoming ignit- ed from a cigarette in the hands of a sleepy person. Basement and attic Remove all unnecessary combustibles from the basement and attic areas. If not removed, these substances will add con- siderable fuel to a fire and make it easier for one to start. Have a maintenance per- son check all furnace safety controls, the chimney and flue connections for leaks 'and clean the furnace at (east once a year. Remove flammable liquids and oversize fuses from the house (a 15 amp fuse is required for regular domestic circuits). If fire, leave the door closed and turn off the heat; allow the oven to cool; then call a -qualified.maintenance person to check the oven before using it again; if the fire does- n't go out, leave immediately and call the fire department from a neighbour's home. For microwaves, do not use tinfoil or any other metal substance; if a fire occurs, keep the door closed and unplug the .microwave; before using it again, call a qualified maintenance person to,check the unit. Living room Provide fire screens for fireplaces as fly- ing coals or sparks can easily start a fire. Do not use extension cords in place of per- manent wiring. Provide enough electrical outlets for your needs. Provide deep, sub- stantial ash trays for smokers and ensure • 433-0111 262-2111 236-4311 238-2311 Seaforth................ .527-1100 Clinton 482-3820 Brucefield - 233-7133 Bayfield 565-2626 Mitchell, 348-8411 St Marys 284-231 I Fire protection in the Kirkton area is spplit - among Exeter, Granton, Mitchell and St Marys departments. Note: Many volunteer firefighters now - respond to the fire hall during emergencies using green flashing lights on their vehicles. Please allow them the courtesy of right of way. Exeter Fire ChlefJohn Morgan said the fire they are responding to may be your - home. in doubt, call a qualified electrician and have your wiring checked regularly. •Smoke alarms. -Smoke alarms should be installed outside every sleeping area and on every level of the home including the basement. If your family sleeps with thedoorclosed, install a smoke alarm inside the bedroom as well. Smoke alarms in basements should be at the bottom of the stairway which leads to the floor above. Alarms should be mounted on the ceiling no less than 15 cm (6") from walls. ?lace alarms at the head of each stairway leading tooccupied areas. Don't install alarms in dead air spaces since an alarm could be delayed. Information courtesy Fire Prevention Canada and Exeter Fire Chief John Morgan