Fire safety is one of the most important concerns for homeowners. According to Fire Prevention Canada, fire kills about 8 people each week across Canada, with residential fires accounting for 73% of these fatalities.
It’s important to generate awareness of fire safety right before the winter. During the colder months, more and more people will be using wood burning appliances to heat their homes and the chances of accidents will increase as a result. That’s why Fire Prevention Week is taking place from October 9-15 and the Halwell Mutual Insurance team is joining to spread awareness.
Don’t let yourself become a statistic! Fires are caused by more than just fireplaces or stoves — there are many ways to practice good fire safety in your home. Make sure you are educating your kids and that you have a good fire safety plan in place.
Take note of the following fire safety tips. Are you following them in your home?
Create a Fire Safety Plan
The most important part of fire safety is to ensure that everyone knows what to do in the case of a fire. If a fire starts in your home, you may have just 2 minutes to escape. Every member of your family should have two possible escape routes from their room and you should practice this escape plan in advance. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1 for help!
Install Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms will save your life! Did you know that 60% of house fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms? Install them on every level of your home or building — you can never be sure where a fire will occur.
It is especially crucial to place smoke alarms inside and outside sleeping areas, so your family is alerted during the night. Test your alarms once a month. If they’re not working, change the batteries and re-test. Alarms should be replaced every 10 years anyways.
Educate Your Kids
If you have a family, it’s important to educate your kids on the value of fire safety. Kids love to play with matches and lighters, so store these items out of reach for small children — or they’ll try to imitate dad lighting the barbecue! Once your kids are old enough to use these tools, teach them how to do so safely and responsibly.
Practice Fire Safe Cooking
The kitchen is a common spot for fires to start in the home. When cooking food, stay close to the kitchen — especially if you are frying or grilling something. Keep pets and kids away from hot stovetops, so they don’t knock anything over.
Most importantly, make sure you understand how to respond to a kitchen fire. Throwing water on an oil or grease fire can be very dangerous! A fire extinguisher can be a good tool to have nearby in these situations. We recommend buying one for your home.
If you ever find yourself unsure how to react to a crisis, leave the house and call 9-1-1 immediately.
Get Home Insurance
When a fire happens, it is incredibly important to leave your house immediately! You don’t want to be running around trying to get your things — just get out. That’s why you need to have home insurance. Home insurance with sufficient coverage will ensure that you can replace all your worldly possessions, so you won’t hesitate in a dangerous situation.
We hope that these fire safety tips have been helpful and will help you protect your home and your family. Contact a broker today to learn more about home insurance options.
