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North Boston Fire Prevention Team
The North Boston Fire Company takes Fire Prevention
VERY
Seriously. If you, or someone you know, needs to have our Fire Prevention
Team come out to do a personal intervention or wants us to contact the Juvenile Fire Setters Intervention Team (J-FIRE),
just
contact us.
If you wish for us to come out to your community group, church group or
senior citizens group,
contact us and we will
make arrangements for the session.
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Fire
Safety Information |
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How
To Plan Your Escape Route |
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- Every home needs a fire escape plan.
- Know 2 ways out of every room, one way would be the door the other
way through a window.
- Decide on a meeting place outside of the home.
- Practice your escape plan at least twice a year with your family.
- Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of the house,
including in or near all the sleeping areas.
If your should discover a fire in your home and your normal exits are
blocked, how would you escape ?
- A closed door can provide valuable minutes against the flames, smoke and
toxic gasses.
- Smoke is the silent killer.
- Remember to stay low to the floor.
- Feel the doors with back of hand before opening them, if they are hot
use your alternate escape route.
- Meet your family at a pre arranged spot.
- And remember, NEVER GO BACK INTO YOUR BURNING HOME.
NFPA Facts
- In Canada, a house fire is reported every 25-30 minutes, in the US a
house fire occurs every 85 seconds.
- Canada loses one person a day to a fire in the home, in the US a person
is killed every 3 hours.
- In both the US and Canada, 4 out of 5 fire deaths occur in the home.
If you should have any questions or concerns about your home home escape,
please contact your local fire station/hall or the Fire Prevention
Division of your fire department |
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Stuck for
a gift idea? |
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Here are
some great safety gifts. You may make somebody's day and save their
life! |
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Three smoke detectors and batteries.
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A quality fire extinguisher.
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A flashlight and batteries or light sticks.
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A first-aid kit.
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A carbon Monoxide detector.
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A second floor escape ladder.
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"Emergency kit"- energy bars, water, battery
radio, flashlight/light sticks and a first-aid kit packed in a small
travel bag. |
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Fire
Extinguishers |
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Fire extinguishers are labeled according to the type of fire on which
they may be used. Fires involving wood or cloth, flammable liquids,
electrical, or metal sources react differently to extinguishers. Using
one type of extinguisher on the wrong type of fire could be dangerous
and make matters even worse.
Traditionally, the labels A,B, C or D have been used to indicate the
type of fire on which an extinguisher is to be used.
Type A
A Type A label is in a triangle on the extinguisher. This extinguisher
is used for ordinary combustibles such as cloth, wood, rubber and many
plastics.
Type B
A Type B label is in a square on the extinguisher. This extinguisher
is used for flammable liquid fires such as oil, gasoline, paints,
lacquers, grease, and solvents.
Type C
A Type C label is in a circle on the extinguisher. This extinguisher
is used for electrical fires such as in wiring, fuse boxes, energized
electrical equipment and other electrical sources.
Type D
A Type D label is in a star on the extinguisher. This extinguisher is
used for metal fires such as magnesium, titanium and sodium. These
types of fire are very dangerous and ,as a rule, should be avoided by
the general public. Call 911
Many of the fire extinguishers you will find in day to day life are
multipurpose (ABC). Read the label on the fire extinguisher(s) in your
area before the need arises for their use.
Using the P A S S system can help to remind you of the correct
steps to follow when attempting to extinguish a fire:
Pull the pin.
Aim low; point at the base of the fire
Squeeze the handle
Sweep from side to side keeping the extinguisher aimed at the base of
the fire.
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How
to Install a Smoke Detector |
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To be effective you
need 1 smoke detector for every level of your home and near the
bedrooms.
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1 new, quality,
battery for each smoke detector
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Inspect the smoke detector for any damage.
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Open the cover of the smoke detector. They usually have a snap
closure on one side and a hinge on the other.
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Put a new
battery into the smoke detector. Don't risk your life on a used
battery.
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To mount your smoke detector on the ceiling, position a step ladder
underneath the area where you want to install the detector.
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Using a screw driver, install the base of the smoke detector on the
ceiling with the screws provided.
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Re-attach the smoke detector cover to the base of the detector.
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Press the test button on the smoke detector to make sure that it is
working properly.
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Test your smoke
detector monthly and change the battery at the same time you change
your clock for Daylight Savings Time.
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Have a fire drill to make sure every member of the family recognizes
the sound of the fire alarm and can get out of the house safely.
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Remember to have
some fire drills when the rest of the family is sleeping. This is
when your smoke detectors effectiveness is most vital. If it can't
wake you. It can't save you!
Please note:
This article is intended for information purposes only. It is
not intended to be used as a training document or emergency situation
reference. No liability whatsoever will be accepted with regards to
the use or the accuracy of the information provided here. Remember the
first rule in any emergency situation. Life always takes priority over
limb and property. Stay Safe. |
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Apartment building safety |
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It is important to know your apartment building and its emergency
plans of escape in case of fire. Like a house, you should have two
ways to exit. Be aware that sometimes the safest thing to do in a tall
building is to stay put and wait for the firefighters.
Last February a serious fire in an apartment building left hundreds of
people homeless when a fire raced through their building, and in
December a fire in a high rise building caused considerable damage to
several units. In both of these incidents some of the tenants ignored
the alarms and failed to evacuate the building, this puts both the
lives of the tenant and the rescue crews in danger.
If you discover a fire in your apartment or anywhere in the building,
leave the area and be sure the doors are closed, pull the nearest
alarm which should be located near a stairwell. Evacuate using the
stairwell only, never use the elevator.
Your building has a fire alarm system and will activate in one of
several ways; pulling or activating the fire alarm pull station, a
smoke detector or heat detector going off which activates the alarm,
these devices are generally located in storage rooms, hallways,
stairwells, laundry rooms, service rooms etc...
Exit doors leading to stairwells should be kept closed at all times
except when they are in use for your protection. The stairway is
designed as safe refuge. If these doors are propped open and something
happens in a room or corridor, the smoke and heat have an avenue into
the stairwell.
Access to these exits are to kept clear and free of storage at all
times. Not only does storage make it difficult to exit, it also a fire
hazard in itself.
You should have at least a 2A-10BC Dry Chemical extinguisher located
on every floor of you apartment building, also each unit should have a
working smoke detector, those will be provided by the landlord or
owner, if there is problems with these bring it up the landlord/owner
so it can be corrected immediately. Fire safety is every ones
responsibility no matter where we live . If you should have any
concerns, please contact you local fire dept and/or fire safety
division. |
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USING CANDLES WITH CARE |
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Fires caused by candles are the 7th highest cause of home fires,
and this is increasing over the past 10 years. In a 1999 report homes fires reached a 20 year peak with 102 deaths and 1,473
injuries from an estimated 15,040 fires caused by candles, resulting
in $278 million in property losses.
Candle fires occur more frequent in the months Nov, Dec and Jan
with a peak in Dec at 20 times the average monthly number of incidents .
During the Christmas period, December 15-30th, the fires raise 140%.
Candle Facts
A small flame from a single candle can reach 1,400 deg. c, 14 times
the temperature required to boil water.
39% of fires caused candles start in the bedrooms
33% in the living rooms
Candle fires most commonly ignite furniture, 18%
Beds/Mattress, 11%
Plastics, 6%
Candle wax itself, 5%
Safety tips
Extinguish candles when leaving the room or going to sleep
Place candles in sturdy , burn resistant containers that wont tip
over, and are big enough to catch the wax drippings
Do not place candles close to open windows or near curtains and blinds
that may ignite
Keep wick trimmed at 1/4 inch (6.4 mm)
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Space Heaters
All too often, fire depts. respond to fires resulting from space
heaters that home owners use to have more heat in localized areas,
especially bedrooms.
This was evident over the past couple of weeks in the HRM as 2 people
died in house fires caused by portable space heaters in their homes.
According to the NFPA, heating equipment is the second leading cause
of house fires during the months of December, January and February.
Most of these fires were caused by misuse or improper maintenance of
the device.
It is recommended that all types of heaters should be at least 3 ft.
or 1 meter away from any combustible materials.
Do not leave your heater on when you are not home or not in a room or
when you go to bed.
Your electric heater should have the following to be safe in your
home;
1. ULC Listing
2. A safety alarm to alert you in case the heaters tips over
3. Safety light
4. Safety information on the heater
5. A power cord with safety instructions on it
6. A carrying handle
7. A safety tip over switch
8. An over heated cut off device
NFPA Facts
* In 2001, over 54,00 homes fires from space heaters were reported,
resulting in 220 deaths and over 1100 injuries. Property loss is well
above 500 million dollars.
* 2 out of 3 home heating fires in 2001, and 2 out of 3 related deaths
are blamed to portable space heaters.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local fire
station for information or call the Fire Prevention Division in your
area. |
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Clothes Dryer Safety
In 1998 alone there were 14,300 fires reported caused by home dryers,
resulting in 19 deaths, 312 injuries and causing $ 67.7 million in
property damage. The leading cause of these fires was the lack of
basic maintenance - 30%, unidentified or unknown mechanical failure -
11% , part failure or breakage - 10%.
Clothing (not on a person) was the most common source of ignition in
home clothes dryer fires, followed by dust, fiber or lint.
Safety Tips
* Do not operate dryer without a lint filter. Keep filters clean
before and after each use.
* Ensure appliance is plug into proper outlets, this will help prevent
overloaded circuits and tripped breakers.
* Keep dryers clear from combustibles.
* If you have problems with your appliance, have it inspected by a
service professional.
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BBQ Safety
Now that the nice weather is here, everyone will be using an
outdoor cooking appliance, specifically a barbecue.
Fire in the grill, with hotdogs and hamburgers makes a great
family outing, but fire anywhere else can make your summer kick
off barbecue memorable, for all the wrong reasons.
NFPA Facts *2003
In 1999, gas and charcoal grills caused 1,500 structure fires and
4,200 outdoor fires in or on home properties,
resulting in 29.8 million dollars in losses.
Safety Tips
- Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out
from under eaves and overhanging branches
- Keep catch tray clean and from grease build up so it cannot
ignite.
- Keep propane cylinder hose in good working order, check lines
with a light mix of soap and water, this will show bubbles which
indicates a leak. Stop using appliance and have fuel lines
inspected, repaired or replaced before reusing.
- All propane cylinders manufactured after April 2002 must have
overfill protection devices (OPD). This device shuts off the flow
of
propane before capacity is reached, limiting the potential for
release of propane gas if the cylinder heats up.
IMPORTANT
All propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors.
They pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing
occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.
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Ground Cover Fires |
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Every year Firefighters respond to hundreds of brush fires. These
types of fires cause thousands of hectares of green space to be
lost. Municipal and Natural resources fire crews spend hundreds of
hours and manpower is taxed to the limits.
Here are a few safety tips to help you prevent forest fires;
- Remove all dead vegetation around your property
- Keep combustibles at least 10 metres away from your home
- Never leave a camp fire unattended
- Ensure any camp fires are "completely out" before going home
- Follow local and provincial regulations in regards to open burning
- If you do burn, assure you have a water supply close in case it
is needed to extinguish it
- Report any fires to your fire departments immediately
If you have any questions or concerns about open fires, please contact
your local fire station, fire prevention Div. or Dept. of Natural
Resourses. |
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Fire safety tips for the Office |
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Fire safety at work is just as important as it is in your home, a
fire in your office building can be devastating resulting in loss
of business and loss of lives. Office buildings are loaded with
combustible materials such as carpeting, drapes, paper, books,
wood and plastics. Combine these elements and the stage is set for
a very devastating fire.
In October of 2003, a fire in a large office building in the US
killed 6 people due to faulty light fixture in a 12 floor storage
room, several more were injured including several firefighters who
went in to the 32 story building to fight the blaze and rescue
those trapped. This building did not have a sprinkler system above
the ground floor, the building was constructed before 1975 and the
building codes did not require them to have fire protection beyond
those floors.
Here are some tips on being safe in your office
- Keep combustible load to a minimum
- Keep exits clear of waste paper and piles of boxes that would
fuel a fire quickly
- Have a designated smoking area, preferably outside
- Have all equipment that is not used, unplugged i.e.... coffee
makers, space heaters and hot plates
- Have electrical distribution systems inspected by a professional
- Provide automatic sprinkler protection with heat and smoke and
fire alarm systems and have them tested regularly, remember
a sprinkler system can provide the most effective fire
protection in these buildings.
- Ensure there are portable fire extinguishers strategically
located on your floor and have your employees trained on how to
use
them correctly
- Have a emergency response team or fire wardens that will direct
employees when an emergency does occur
- Have a emergency evacuation plan and conduct a least 2 drills a
year to ensure you are familiar with proper emergency
readiness
- Have your local fire department assist in fire drills and
training in the use of fire extinguishers
If you hear a fire alarm sounding in your office or work place
please take it serious, there are many people who ignore the
alarms and refuse to leave the building. This will increase the
risk to your safety and others including those who are sent in to
get you out.
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Gasoline safety
With winter weather homeowners have appliance that require
gasoline to operate, such as snowblowers and generators.
Here are some facts you should know when having gasoline stored in
your home to prevent explosion and fire from gasoline vapors.
Gasoline can be more dangerous than dynamite because of the vapors
given off are invisible. These vapors can easily ignite, even at
low temperatures, the gasoline vapors are heavier than air and
will be close to the floor were it will easily come contact with
sparks from electric motors, water heaters, furnace motors and
switches.
Sparks or open flame can ignite vapors a great distance from their
source.
By
law, gasoline must be stored in safe containers which are approved
by a recognized and certified agency. These containers must also
be properly labeled and given care when being handled to prevent
spills. If gasoline spills occur clean up immediately and
ventilate the area. Be sure to have a proper Class B extinguisher
handy.
Important tips
-Never store gasoline in Basements, pits or confined spaces.
Gasoline should be well ventilated and free from any ignition
sources.
-Never store gasoline in glass, metal cans with plastic parts or
in plastic containers which are not approved for this purpose.
-Never smoke while handling gasoline or other flammable liquids.
-Never use gasoline to start your barbecue or use as a cleaner or
solvent.
Remember Gasoline can ignite.....and explode
If
you have questions concerning the usage or safe storage of
gasoline, please call your local fire department. |
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Wood Burning Season is here |
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Now that the colder weather is upon us, homeowners will be
using wood burning appliances to heat their homes.
The recent hurricane has provided plenty of wood, but this is not
recommended to burn in your wood stove. Burning wet wood produces
more smoke than heat. Dried well seasoned wood will smoke less and
produce more heat.
It is recommended that your wood supply have a moisture reading of
between 18 and 22. This can be properly done by ensuring your wood
supply is properly stacked to dry over one season. Remember
storing wet wood indoors such as in your basement can create mould
inside the house, so you should limit the amount of wood that is
stored inside.
By firing your wood burning system correctly, you improve
efficiency and reduce air pollution, local building code officials
or fire service personnel can provide requirements and
recommendations for installation. Have your chimney and flue pipe
cleaned and inspected on a regular basis. Burn only dry seasoned
wood and never burn rubbish or other waste in your wood burning
appliance.
Keep any combustibles at least 4 ft. away from your stove.
Burning wood can cause a build up of a tarry substance (creosote)
inside your chimney. This material can ignite resulting in a
serious fire. In addition a clogged chimney can cause a poorly
burning fire which may result in poisonous gas (carbon monoxide)
and smoke coming back into your home. Be sure to have a CO
detector installed where your wood stove is located.
If you are unsure if your wood burning appliance is in safe
working order, there are several places to check and ask a
professional installer.
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Electrical Safety |
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Here are some basic safety tips for around your home regarding the
use of electricity;
1. Replace or repair any electrical device with a lose or frayed
cord
2. Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.
3. Ensure that outlets in the children's rooms have plastic safety
covers.
4. Follow manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance
into a outlet.
5. Do not overload circuits.
6. Replace blown fuses with a fuse of the same size and type.
7. Consider a licensed electrician for major repairs or
alterations.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI ) can greatly reduce the
risk of shock by shutting off faulty electrical circuits and
equipment faster than conventional fuses or circuit breakers can.
GFCI's are inexpensive, and can be installed in your home by a
professional electrician.
NFPA Facts
- On average there are 38,400 home fires caused by some sort of
electrical problem
- Electrical fires kills 325 and injures another 1,345 people
annually.
- Fixed wiring causes 1/3 of electrical home fires.
- Cords and plugs cause 1/6 of home electrical fires and 1/3 of
related deaths.
- Each year, electric shock (not resulting in fire) cause hundreds
of burn deaths and thousands of burn injuries.
- Nearly 2/3 of electrical burn injuries among children ages 12
and under are associated with household
electrical cords and extension cords.
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Kitchen Safety |
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Here are some basic safety tips for cooking in your home;
- Never leave food cooking on the stove top unattended, and keep a
close eye on food inside the oven.
- Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles such as
potholders, towels, rags, drapes and food packaging.
- Keep children and pets away from cooking areas by creating a 3
ft, "kid-free zone" around the stove.
- Turn pot handles inward so they can't be bumped and the kids
can't grab them.
- Wear short, close fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves when
cooking, loose clothing can dangle into stove burners and catch
fire.
- Never wear a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the
moisture in the mitt is heated.
- Food cooked in the microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the
lids or other coverings from microwave food carefully to prevent
steam burns.
If a grease fire occurs in a pan, smother the flames by carefully
sliding the lid cover over the pan, turn off the burner. Do not
remove the lid until it is completely cool. Never pour water on a
grease fire and never discharge a fire extinguisher directly into
the flames, as it can spray or shoot the flaming grease around the
kitchen, actually spreading the fire.
Have a approved fire extinguisher handy, not too close to the
stove, you don't want to have to reach over the fire to get it.
Use a dry chemical or an A-B-C extinguisher, sweep the nozzle side
to side and ensure the fire is out. Never turn your back, slowly
walk away backwards, always keeping an eye on the stove/pot as it
can easily re-ignite. Call your local Fire dept for assistance.
NFPA FACTS
- On average, there are 91,700 reported home fires each year
associated with cooking equipment, killing 327 people and injuring
another 4,607.
- Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home
fires injuries.
- Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home coking fires.
- 3 out of every 10 reported home fires start in the kitchen,
that's more than any other area of the home.
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