Today’s message of the week is “LOOK“. What does this mean? It means to stop and look around at different things in your home that could potentially be a fire hazard and correct it. Some key items to look at are:
KITCHEN
- Anything that can catch fire is kept away from the stovetop
- Children are kept at least 3 feet (1 Metre) away from the stove and any areas where hot food or drink is being prepared
- Pets are kept off of cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto burners
- Food that is simmering, baking ,roasting, or boiling is being checked on by someone in the home
HEATERS
- Anything that can burn is kept at least 3 feet (1 Metre) away from heating equipment
- Children are kept at least 3 feet (1 Metre) away from open fires or space heaters
- Heating equipment and chimneys are cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional
- Portable heaters are turned off when leaving the room or going to bed
- If you have a fireplace, making sure it has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from entering the room
ELECTRICAL
- All electrical work in a home is performed by a qualified technician
- Only one heat-producing appliance is plugged into a receptacle outlet at a time. Extension cords are not used
- Electrical cords are checked to make sure they aren’t running across doorways or under carpets
Remember, fire safety and prevention starts with you!
Look. Listen. Learn