Fire Prevention Week Offers Lessons on How to Prevent Home Fires
October 6, 2008
As the colder weather of fall approaches and the excitement of Halloween is around the corner, the timing couldn’t be better for Fire Prevention Week, running October 5 to11. This year’s theme - Prevent Home Fires.
Richmond Fire-Rescue identifies many simple and effective steps people can take, right now, to reduce the risk of fire:
- Cooking:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period time, turn off the stove.
- Review kitchen safety measures, such as keeping your stove, oven and vent clean of grease – a lot of fires start here.
- Heating:
- Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture at least three feet away from heating equipment.
- Service your furnace before turning it on in the fall, and ensure no items have been placed against it.
- Traditional fire places need to be checked annually for fire hazards.
- Electrical:
- Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords; use extension cords for temporary wiring only. Consider having additional circuits or receptacles added by a qualified electrician.
- Smoking:
- If you smoke, smoke outside; wherever you smoke use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
During Fire Prevention Week, fire safety advocates throughout North America will spread the word in their communities that, with a little extra caution, preventing the leading causes of home fires – cooking, heating, electrical and smoking-materials – is achievable. Richmond Fire-Rescue would be happy to show you how. They offer safety meetings and residential inspections, as well as business and school inspections, at no charge, throughout the year.
To arrange for a fire safety inspection or meeting at your home, school, business or strata please contact the Fire Prevention Office at 604-303-2708.
For more information on home fire prevention please visit the City’s website at Public Safety > Fire-Rescue > Safety and Prevention.
