Fire Prevention and Safety

Candle Safety

Oshawa Fire Services is urging everyone to practise safe candle use. Candle fires most commonly occur when unattended candles or something that easily catches fire is left too close to the flame.

• Extinguish candles before leaving the room, leaving the house or going to sleep.
• Keep candles out of the reach of children or pets in the house.
• Place candles in sturdy containers and at least 0.3 m (one ft) away from anything that can burn, such as clothing, furniture, bedding, carpets, books, flammable Christmas trees or decorations.
• Do not place lit candles in windows where they could burn blinds or curtains.
• NEVER allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms.
• Keep matches and lighters up high and locked up to be out of the reach of children. Teach children that matches and lighters are only for adults.

Electrical Safety

• If an appliance smokes or smells like it is burning, unplug it immediately and get it repaired.
• Check all electrical cords and replace any that are cracked or frayed.
• Do not overload electrical outlets or run extension cords under rugs or carpets.
• Do not tamper with the fuse boxes or use the wrong size fuse.
• Unplug items such as toaster and coffee makers when not in use.

Home Escape Planning

Make a home fire escape plan and practise it to ensure everyone knows what to do in a fire emergency.

• Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas. It is the law.
• If a fire starts, everyone should know two ways out of every room. When the smoke alarm sounds, everyone must know what to do and where to go. Develop and practice a home fire escape plan with the entire family.
• Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone else that may need assistance.
• Ensure all exits are unobstructed and easy to use.
• Know where to go. Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree, a lamppost, or a neighbour's house, where everyone can be accounted for.
• Do not try to save possessions; go directly to your meeting place.
• If caught in smoke, get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit.
• Call the fire department outside the home, from a cell phone or a neighbour's house.
• Get out and stay out. Never re-enter a burning building for any reason.

Kitchen Safety

Approximately 82% of all fires in Oshawa occur in a home. Unattended cooking is the number one cause of fires in Ontario. Kitchen fires are preventable if the following safety tips are followed:

• Stand by your pan: never leave cooking unattended. Keep pot handles turned inward.
• If a pot catches fire, slide a lid over the pot and turn off the stove: Never put water on a kitchen fire or try to move the pot to the sink. Always call the fire department.
• Keep children at least 1 m away: (3 ft) from around the stove.
• Wear tight fitting clothing or roll up your sleeves: when using the stove to prevent accidental clothing fires. Do not reach over hot burners.
• Clear the clutter: Remove all combustible items such as wooden or plastic cooking utensils, dishcloths, paper towels and potholders from stovetops. These objects can easily catch fire if they contact a burner.
• Deep-frying is a major kitchen hazard: Use only thermostatically controlled deep fryers to prevent overheating the oil and the chance of fire.
• Keep appliance surfaces free of spills and grease Cooking requires you to be rested and alert: avoid cooking when using alcohol or medications.
• If you burn yourself, immediately run cool water over the wound: for several minutes. If the burn is severe, seek medical attention.
• Do not overload electrical outlets: Keep heat-producing appliances away from cupboards, curtains, and other combustible items.
• It is the law in Ontario that all residences have working smoke alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms monthly and change batteries when you change your clocks.

Power Failure Safety

• When power fails, do not use open flames or a charcoal grill indoors.
• Do not use gas-fuelled appliances as alternative heating sources indoors.
• If you plan to use a portable generator, do not connect household items to the generator unless you have it wired professionally. Do not hook the generator up to your home's electrical system.
• Be sure the generator is kept outside where the exhaust will not enter buildings.
• Test your smoke alarms now. Remember, if they are hardwired, they will not function during a power failure, so install backup battery-powered smoke alarms for additional protection.

Smoking Hazards

• Encourage smokers to smoke outside. Provide sturdy, deep ashtrays and make sure cigarette butts and ashes are out before throwing them away.
• Never smoke in bed or when you are feeling drowsy. It is just as dangerous to fall asleep smoking on the couch or a chair as in a bed.
• Smokers need watchers. Before sleeping, check under and around sofa cushions and upholstered furniture for smouldering cigarettes.
• Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children - up high and preferably locked up.
• Teach children that matches and lighters are only for adults.