Set aside time to develop, review and practice your home fire escape plan with your family, writes Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service Chief Andrew Zvanitajs.
Ensuring you have working smoke alarms may be the most important thing you can do to keep your family safe, but do your children know what the different alarm sounds mean?
Smoke alarms can have up to three different tones or types of beeping, and each means something different – replace the battery, replace the unit or there’s a fire, so get out!
It may be March break, but fire safety never takes a holiday.
Set aside time to develop, review and practice your home fire escape plan with your family. You should practice this plan twice a year and during different times of the day, including at night, because you can never predict when an emergency will happen.
Here are other ways you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside every sleeping area and in each bedroom. This is the law in Ontario.
• Test the smoke alarms monthly to check they are working. This will also help your children become familiar with the sound of the alarm.
• Show your children how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches on fire.
• Teach your children how to call 911, when it’s appropriate to do so, and your home’s address.
• Teach your children to crawl on the ground and cover their mouths if there is smoke, and to feel for a hot door before exiting a room.
• Remind your children never to hide from firefighters and NEVER go into a burning building.
• Keep all candles, matches and lighters out of reach of children and pets.
• Ensure you have fire extinguishers in key locations throughout your home, such as the kitchen. Teach family members how to use them safely.
• Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone who may need assistance during an emergency.
Being prepared and informed is the best way to protect your family during an emergency. Knowing the rules of fire prevention can save lives.
To learn more fire safety tips, visit vaughan.ca/fire.