Fire safety should always be top of mind — especially when it comes to preventing fires and knowing how to escape a burning building.
During Fire Prevention Month this October, members of the Carman Dufferin Fire Department (CDFD) are reminding residents that a few small precautions can make a life-saving difference.
Retired CDFD fire chief Rick Penner stresses the importance of having a family fire escape plan.
“These plans are important to establish with your family, and it’s even more important that you know these plans like the back of your hand,” he said. “In the event a fire sparks at night while everyone is sleeping, even when we are jolted awake we have to know two ways out of every room and where to meet outdoors.”
Penner noted that everyone who can move independently should be familiar with the plan — especially children who might become scared during a fire. “But one thing we do know is that kids are resilient and are able to pick things up from their memory, so I advise everyone to frequently practise or go over their plan at home.”
Justine Hamming, the CDFD’s public safety educator, said her goal is to teach kids about fire safety in a way that is both meaningful and non-daunting.
“When speaking with children it’s really important to keep things simple while also keeping it engaging for them,” she said.
Hamming advises kids — or anyone faced with a fire — to use four of their senses to safely get out of the home:
Listen — If you hear the beeping smoke detector, get out and stay out.
Touch — If you feel heat on your door, don’t open it.
Look — Find two ways out of the room.
Smell — If you can smell smoke, stay low, get out of the house and go to your meeting place.
She added that several family-friendly fire safety resources are available at www.sparky.org and on the NFPA Kids YouTube channel.
Escape plans should also apply to communal spaces outside the home. Penner recently participated in a fire drill at his workplace and was pleased to see everyone paying attention and heading directly to their outdoor muster point.
In addition to having an escape plan, Penner said it’s crucial to have working smoke detectors — and carbon monoxide detectors if your home is heated with a gas furnace — in all bedrooms and living spaces, as well as fire extinguishers. Detectors should be tested every six months, with the easiest reminder being when the clocks change each spring and fall. If Manitoba discontinues daylight time, Penner suggests testing once in the spring and again in the fall.
He also recommends keeping smoke detectors out of cooking areas to prevent false alarms, noting that even steam from canning vegetables can trigger them.
“As long as you have a working detector in all critical areas of the home — sleeping areas, basements, living spaces, etc. — you’re headed in the right direction to keeping your family safe.”
Recently, the CDFD was called to a structure fire where residents were awakened in the middle of the night by their smoke detectors and evacuated safely.
“Because of the working smoke detectors, there was no loss of life or injuries related to this structure fire,” Hamming said.
Carman participates in the S.A.F.E. (Smoke Alarms for Every Family) program and offers free 10-year lithium-battery-operated smoke detectors to residents. Anyone in need of a smoke detector can contact firechief@townofcarman.com for more information.
When it comes to fire hazards, Penner pointed out that one of the most dangerous items people use every day is right in the palms of their hands — lithium-ion batteries.
“There are a number of articles going around on the web asking, ‘Where’s your iPhone when it’s charging?’ We’ve seen where rechargeable batteries for many devices have started fires,” he said.
Hamming added that electrical fires, specifically from lithium-ion batteries, have been the most frequent cause of house fires in recent years.
These batteries can overheat, swell and ignite, and are found in everything from cellphones and toys to smoke detectors. When they reach the end of their life, it’s best to dispose of them properly by taking them to a certified recycling depot listed at www.recycleyourbatteries.ca. This, Penner said, is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of electronics sparking a fire.
“To put it simply, when you charge something and it starts to get hot — you know it’s time to dispose of it and get a new battery.”
To prevent devices from overheating, he advises charging them on hard surfaces rather than on blankets or pillows, and to use certified chargers instead of cheap ones. If a device starts to spark, take it outside and move it away from anything flammable. Call 911, and never try to put the fire out with water.
“Attempting to take care of a lithium-ion battery fire will only cause a violent reaction because of the heat created and gases released,” Penner said. “People think the idea of throwing it in a pail of water will cool the device off, but in reality it just makes the situation worse.”
Two other fire risks people commonly overlook are candles and space heaters — especially in the cooler months.
“These are the oldest and most prevalent fire risks aside from typical cooking hazards,” he said. “Make sure all the candles are blown out before everybody goes to bed. I make sure I do my rounds around the house to ensure they’re all off — if battery operated — and blown out.”
Regarding space heaters, Penner recommends only using them for short periods and keeping them away from anything flammable. He also advises making sure the correct type of extension cord is used — certified for indoor or outdoor use, depending on where it’s being used.
All year long, people should remain vigilant about burning grass or lighting fires, and be mindful that weather conditions — especially wind — can change quickly. Penner noted that a majority of the department’s calls are for grass fires that spread on windy days.
“Everything people do should always have a lot of thought put into it,” he added. “And this is prevalent at any time of year.”
Hamming agreed.
“Lots of people say having a fire will never happen to them, but we know that’s not the case — fires can happen to anybody,” she said. “Having that fire equipment available — working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, and knowing that escape plan — could make a life-changing difference.”
