Fire fatalities in Ontario have increased 65 percent this year when compared to last year.
In March alone 17 people died in fires.
Last year during this time frame there were 31 fire fatalities, but this year there has been 51.
Details on how to protect yourself and your loved ones can be found below:
Reduce fire risks in your home:
- Always stay in the kitchen when you are cooking. Unattended cooking is a leading cause of home fires.
- Keep a close eye on anyone drinking alcohol and attempting to cook or smoke.
- Encourage smokers to smoke outside the home and outside the garage. Thoroughly extinguish all smoking materials in water or sand.
- Always blow out candles before leaving the room.
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets. Extension cords should be used only as a temporary connection. Avoid running electrical cords under rugs, which can damage the cords and cause a fire. Ensure items that can burn are at least one metre away from space heaters.
- Do not attempt to sterilize or decontaminate face masks for re-use by heating them in a microwave oven. Various fabric or metal components can overheat or create sparks and cause a fire if heated in a microwave.
Make sure your alarms work:
Test smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button. Only working smoke alarms can give you the early warning you need to safely escape a fire in your home.
Practice your home fire escape plan:
- Ensure everyone knows two ways out of each room, if possible.
- All exits must be unobstructed and easy to use.
- Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults and anyone who needs assistance to escape.
- Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree or a lamp post, where everyone can be accounted for.
- Call the fire department from outside the home, from a cell phone or a neighbour’s home. Once out, stay out. Never re-enter a burning building. If you live in an apartment or high-rise building talk to the building superintendent to learn about the emergency procedures outlined in the building’s fire safety plan.
