Fire safety

For your safety and that of your loved ones, check your smoke alarms at least twice a year, perhaps at the spring and fall changeover of the clock. To do this, press the “Test” button on each alarm. In the case of battery-operated alarms, perform a battery change at the same time.

Whether battery or electric, alarms have a service life of 10 years. After this period, it becomes necessary to replace them with new models. Install smoke alarms near bedrooms and common areas, such as corridors, to ensure that the buzzer is heard when activated.

A portable extinguisher can be used to extinguish an incipient fire, but your first concern should be to evacuate the building and contact the emergency services.

Installation

Fire extinguishers are useful in or near rooms where there is a risk of fire (kitchen, basement, garage, etc.). They must be easily accessible and located so that users can evacuate quickly without becoming trapped if they are unable to extinguish the fire.

Maintenance tips

Check your extinguishers every month, and have them checked annually by a specialist in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Advice on use

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions and familiarize yourself with the extinguisher before using it;
  Use the extinguisher only to control a small fire (with a flame no larger than one metre and no excessive heat);
• To control the fire, stand with your back to an unobstructed exit and direct the extinguisher jet at the base of the fire in a sweeping motion;
• Call the fire department;
• If the fire gets larger, get out immediately.

Where to dispose of an extinguisher?

Fire extinguishers contain pressurized products. So it's important to dispose of them properly. You can :

• Return it to the ecocenter;
• Return it to an extinguisher company;
• Have it serviced and reused.

Certain behaviours can reduce the risk of fire during cooking:

• Never leave food to cook unattended.
• Never store items in the oven or on cooking surfaces.
• Children should be kept away from the stove.
• Always have a lid handy that can cover the entire vessel.
• Cook pot handles should point inwards on the stove so that children cannot reach them.
• Using a heating element with a diameter similar to that of the cook pot is recommended.
• If the preparation of a meal includes frying, using of a CSA-approved fryer with a thermostat is strongly recommended. It is important to follow the safety rules laid down in the manufacturer's manual.

What to do if a fire flares up on the stove:

• Stay calm.
• If a cook pot catches fire, never throw any product into it. Water should never be used to extinguish flaming oil.
• Extinguish a fire in a skillet or pan by turning off the heating element and placing the appropriate lid on the vessel.
• Never move a flaming pan or pan, since serious personal injury may occur and the fire may spread.
• Always dial 9-1-1, even if the fire seems to be out.

Mulch is a highly flammable material in hot, dry weather. Cigarette butts are the primary cause of landscaping fires. In fact, they can generate a fire 4 to 5 hours after they were thrown away. As mulch is often found near buildings, fire can spread very rapidly on building structures and wreak a lot of damage.

There are many ways to reduce the risk of fires starting in mulch:

• Provide smokers with a safe ashtray to deposit cigarette butts and matches, such as a metal container of sand.
• Leave at least 24 inches between buildings and mulch.
• Ensure that outdoor electrical appliances are used properly and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
• Do not leave any candles, torches, outdoor fire or other sources of heat unattended.
• Do not throw cigarette butts or crush cigarettes in planters, flowerpots, etc.
• Water the mulch regularly and make sure it is damp at all times, especially during periods of drought.
• If smoke comes out of the mulch, immediately water the area, warn anyone inside the building and call 911.

In Québec, smoking items, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, matches and lighters, cause nearly 400 fires each year. They are responsible for 1 in 7 deaths. In addition, fires lit by children playing with matches or a lighter are a major cause of injury and death in children 6 years and under.

Advice:

• Always store lighters and matches out of sight and reach of kids.
• Teach kids not to play with matches and lighters.
• Teach kids to tell an adult if they find lighters and matches.
• Teach kids what to do in the event of a fire: how to get out of the house, not to hide, where to meet up, which number to dial (911), etc.
• Draw up an evacuation plan with the kids and practice evacuations with them.
• Never leave a cigarette burning in an ashtray unattended.
• Use safe ashtrays. A cigarette should not slip off the ashtray.
• Never place an ashtray on an unstable surface, such as the arm of an armchair.
• Check couch cushions and store all smoking items in a safe place before going out, going to bed or when smoking friends leave the house.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Never empty the contents of an ashtray into a trashcan without properly wetting the butts beforehand.
• Never smoke in a room that may contain flammable materials or solvents.

Here are some preventive measures to reduce risks when using your dryer:

• Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing and using the appliance.
• It is strongly recommended that the exhaust duct be made of metal and corrosion-resistant, smooth and as straight-line as possible between the dryer outlet and the exterior of the building to prevent buildup of lint.
• Avoid pushing the dryer up against the wall so that the ventilation system does not become blocked or the drain hose jammed.
• Clean the lint filter after each use.
• Do not leave home when the appliance is turned on. This safeguard also applies to all your appliances.

To avoid incidents, it's important to be careful when handling pool maintenance products.

Instructions:

• Read labels and follow instructions carefully, even for products you use regularly.
• Consult a qualified professional for clear and precise explanations.
• Always pour the chemical into the pool water (not the other way around). Never add water to the chemical, unless such an indication appears on the container label.

Handling:

• Use or handle chemicals in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors.
• Never mix different chemicals, unless otherwise specified.
• Use a clean, separate metal or plastic measuring cup for each chemical.

Storage:

• Store chemicals in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and protect from water and moisture.

Protection:

• Wear suitable protective equipment.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling chemicals.