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Seasonal Safety Tips

IBC Urges to FireSmart Homes

View this short video for fire safety information from the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Apartment Buildings and Other Occupancies

While the electricity is off, take care when using alternative lighting, cooking and heating equipment.  Fire and life safety systems may become inoperative.  You should know what to do.  Please review the following information and take precautions to make sure everyone stays safe.

Fire and Life Safety Systems

 Without electricity, fire and life safety systems may not operate as originally designed.  The fire alarm system, voice communication system, emergency lighting, fire sprinkler system, standpipe and hose system, and other fire and life safety features rely on electricity to operate appropriately.  Some fire and life safety systems are equipped with a secondary source of power consisting of batteries.  When the power is depleted in these batteries, the system or equipment will no longer work. 

The BC Fire Code stipulates that such systems must be maintained in operating condition at all times.  Should the power not be promptly restored or where an alternative electrical power supply is not provided, occupant safety and property are at risk from fire. 

Alternative Measures

Review the buildings approved “Fire Safety Plan”.  Occupants must know the fire and life safety practices they must follow.  The local Chief Fire Official must be contacted where applicable, to determine approved alternative measures.  These measures are to be implemented for the life safety of building occupants when fire and life safety systems are inoperative or impaired. 

Loss of Heat 

When a building’s heating system in inoperative, water supplies, sanitary systems, fire sprinkler systems, standpipe and hose systems, and portable fire extinguishers, amongst other things, may freeze.  Freezing can make this equipment inoperative and cause damage.  Precautions must be taken to prevent this from happening. 

Alternative Lighting 

  • Use flashlights or chemical light sticks instead of candles or lanterns to reduce fire risks.

Candles      

  • Place in secure candleholders protected by a glass chimney.

  • Keep candles away from all combustible materials, such as draperies, papers, etc.

  • Place then out of reach of children and pets.

  • Avoid walking with a lit candle or taking it into a closet or similar area to look for things.

  • Extinguish candles when you leave the room or go to bed.

  • Never leave them unattended.

Lanterns and Oil Lamps 

  • Place lamps and lanterns in a secure place where they cannot be knocked over by children or pets.

  • Keep them away from combustibles and windy areas.

  • Refill lamps and lanterns outdoors, away from combustibles and other people.

  • Before leaving the room, make sure that all lamps are out.

Matches and Lighters 

Keep all matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children, preferably locked away. 

Heating and Cooking 

Make sure that all stove elements and ovens are OFF and that nothing has been placed on top of the stove. 

Think carefully before you bring a fuel-burning appliance into the building.  Any device that burns fuel requires oxygen to burn properly and ventilation to remove the deadly products of combustion.  Carbon monoxide is produced by any device fuelled by natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, coal, charcoal, gasoline or wood.  It is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that can be deadly. 

Portable Space Heaters 

  • Use only portable space heaters that have been designed for indoor use.

  • Before using one, review and follow the recommendations for usage and follow the instructions carefully.  Only use the fuel for which the appliance was designed.

  • Provide adequate ventilation by opening a window slightly, when the heater is in use.

  • Before refueling, turn off the heater, wait for it to cool and take the heater outside to refill.

  • Keep all heaters at least 1 m (3 feet) away from combustible materials including drapes, carpeting and furniture.

  • Turn portable space heaters off when you are not in the room and before gong to bed.

  • If you are using a wood stove, always empty ashes into a covered metal container and store them outside, away from combustibles.

  • If you have not used the fireplace or woodstove for a long time, have it checked by a professional technician before using it.  The chimney may be blocked or damaged, which could cause a fire or a build-up of carbon monoxide inside the building.

  • Propane and charcoal barbecues should be used outside only, do not bring them inside the building.

Portable Generators 

  • Portable generators should be used outdoors only.  They should be carefully placed outside to ensure that fumes do not enter the building.

  • Generators and hot gases should be kept away from combustibles.

  • Store fuel for the generator outside in an approved container a safe distance away from the building and generator.

  • Refuel only after shutting it down and letting it cool.  Follow manufacturer’s recommendations regarding use. 

Emergency Communication 

Have a least one telephone (not cordless) that works during a power failure.

Houses and Apartment Units

While the electricity is off, take care when using alternative lighting, cooking and heating equipment.  Fire and life safety systems may become inoperative.  You should know what to do.  Please review the following information and take precautions to make sure everyone stays safe.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

These alarms are essential for your family’s safety.  Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms electrically connected to your home’s power supply will not work when the electricity is off, unless they have battery back-ups.  Test your smoke alarms to find out if they work.  Make sure your home has a battery-operated smoke alarm on every level and a battery operated carbon monoxide alarm.  You are responsible for notifying your landlord that the dwelling is without electricity. 

Alternative Lighting 

  • Use flashlights or chemical light sticks instead of candles or lanterns to reduce fire risks.

Candles       

  • Place in secure candleholders protected by a glass chimney.

  • Keep candles away from all combustible materials, such as draperies, papers, etc.

  • Place then out of reach of children and pets.

  • Avoid walking with a lit candle or taking it into a closet or similar area to look for things.

  • Extinguish candles when you leave the room or go to bed.

  • Never leave them unattended.

Lanterns and Oil Lamps 

  • Place lamps and lanterns in a secure place where they cannot be knocked over by children or pets.

  • Keep them away from combustibles and windy areas.

  • Refill lamps and lanterns outdoors, away from combustibles and other people.

  • Before leaving the room, make sure that all lamps are out.

Matches and Lighters      

Keep all matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children, preferably locked away. 

Heating and Cooking 

Make sure that all stove elements and ovens are OFF and that nothing has been placed on top of the stove. 

Think carefully before you bring a fuel-burning appliance into the building.  Any device that burns fuel requires oxygen to burn properly and ventilation to remove the deadly products of combustion.  Carbon monoxide is produced by any device fuelled by natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, coal, charcoal, gasoline or wood.  It is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that can be deadly. 

Portable Space Heaters 

  • Use only portable space heaters that have been designed for indoor use.

  • Before using one, review and follow the recommendations for usage and follow the instructions carefully.  Only use the fuel for which the appliance was designed.

  • Provide adequate ventilation by opening a window slightly, when the heater is in use.

  • Before refueling, turn off the heater, wait for it to cool and take the heater outside to refill.

  • Keep all heaters at least 1 m (3 feet) away from combustible materials including drapes, carpeting and furniture.

  • Turn portable space heaters off when you are not in the room and before gong to bed.

  • If you are using a wood stove, always empty ashes into a covered metal container and store them outside, away from combustibles.

  • If you have not used the fireplace or woodstove for a long time, have it checked by a professional technician before using it.  The chimney may be blocked or damaged, which could cause a fire or a build-up of carbon monoxide inside the building.

  • Propane and charcoal barbecues should be used outside only, do not bring them inside the building.

Portable Generators 

  • Portable generators should be used outdoors only.  They should be carefully placed outside to ensure that fumes do not enter the building.

  • Generators and hot gases should be kept away from combustibles.

  • Store fuel for the generator outside in an approved container a safe distance away from the building and generator.

  • Refuel only after shutting it down and letting it cool.  Follow manufacturer’s recommendations regarding use. 

Home Escape Planning 

Inform everyone in your home about the fire safety rules they must follow.  Conduct regular safety checks of each room and keep a watchful eye on children and older adults.  Make sure everyone knows they must leave the building immediately in event of fire.  Practice your escape plan. 

Emergency Communication

 Have at least one telephone (not cordless) that works during a power failure.

 

 

  

Humour

There was a huge fire at a big city soda factory. The city company was losing ground and the owner was frantic. He told the fire department that he needed a secret formula in the safe that was in the center of the blaze, and he would give $10,000 dollars to the department that got the formula.

An hour later no ground was gained and a mutual aid call was put out. When 12 departments couldn't subdue the blaze the owner saw this and he raised the reward to $100,000 dollars. Suddenly a small town department drove their truck right into the fire and emerged 10 minutes later with the formula. When asked what they would do with the money, one said, "Get them damn brakes fixed we figure."

 

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