Create a home escape plan this Family Day
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Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service offers tips for fire
preparedness and prevention
Family Day is a
time to spend relaxing and enjoying the company of those closest to you. Whether
you are staying in and enjoying a cozy fire or heading out to enjoy some winter
activities, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) reminds you to keep fire
prevention and safety top of mind.
One way to practise fire safety is to create a home escape plan (PDF). Making and
practising your home escape plan can prepare your family for the worst-case
scenario. Here’s how:
- Draw your home’s floor plan, including all doors, windows and stairs for each level, and note any features that could help you escape, such as a garage or a balcony.
- Mark at least two escape routes from each room so if the door is blocked, you know another way out.
- Make sure everyone in your house knows where to meet outside – a street sign or a mailbox, for example – to call 911 and wait while the fire department arrives. A meeting place will allow you to count everyone and inform firefighters if anybody is still inside. Never go back into a burning building.
Is someone in your household elderly, or do they have a
medical, mental health or physical condition that would require help getting to
safety? VFRS has a free voluntary Vulnerable Persons
Registry
that first responders reference during an emergency so they know to provide
special assistance to those who need it.
If using a fireplace when staying warm indoors this Family
Day – and every day – make sure to never burn papers, file folders, boxes,
cartons or other types of packaging. They burn rapidly and generate a lot of
heat. If lighting candles, always use non-flammable candle holders, and place
candles where they will not be knocked down, away from papers, folders and
napkins – this can also be a fire hazard. Additionally, never leave candles in
a room unattended and be sure to keep them out of reach of children and pets. A
better option is to use flameless candles.
When cooking, remember these safety tips so your family can
enjoy a fire-free meal:
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking. Turn off the stove if you must step away and remove all items from the stovetop when cooking is done.
- Avoid distractions and focus on the task in front of you.
- Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing while cooking as it can catch on fire.
- Keep flammable items – oven mitts, cooking utensils, dish cloths, paper towels and potholders – a safe distance from the stove.
- Keep young kids and pets away from the stove and turn pot handles away from the stove's edge to avoid them being accidentally knocked off.
- Ensure a proper-fitting pot lid is nearby to smother flames in the event of a fire.
- Keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
- Have a working smoke alarm and test all alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
For more information and fire safety tips, visit vaughan.ca/fire or watch the City’s video on how to make a home escape plan.
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