Fire safety tips for the home

With families spending more time indoors during the autumn and winter, that means more activity and, potentially, a greater chance of fires in homes.
Here’s a list of tips from Fire Prevention Canada to help keep your home safe.
Kitchen
•Avoid loose long sleeves when cooking.
•Check kettles and toasters for damaged electrical cords and thermostats.
•Use appliances that have an automatic shut-off.
•Keep a timer handy to remind you when the oven and burners should be switched off.
•If you take medication that causes drowsiness, do not use cooking appliances.
•Use a temperature-controlled electric skillet or deep-fryer for frying.
•Never leave your cooking unattended.
•Use appropriate cooking appliances and keep them clean.
•Keep a pot cover nearby to “put a lid on it” in the event of a fire.
Living room
 •Fireplace: always use a fire screen, ensuring it is the appropriate size for the fireplace opening.
•Do not overload electrical outlets or use extension cords in the place of additional outlets.
•Smokers should check furniture for fallen cigarettes or embers, which can smoulder undetected for several hours before bursting into flames.
•Ensure careful use of smoking materials and extinguish in water before disposal.
•Never leave cigarettes in an ashtray unattended.
•Use ashtrays with a double rim and deep centre.
•Keep matches, lighters, and lit candles out of the reach of children.
•Never leave lit candles unattended.
Bedroom
•Install at least one smoke alarm outside each sleeping area. For improved safety, install a smoke alarm in every bedroom.
•Check electrical appliances regularly (i.e., electric blankets, heating pads, curling irons, radios, televisions, and irons).
•Bedrooms should be non-smoking areas.
Basement/attic
•Remove all combustible and flammable materials from the basement and attic.
•Store gasoline in well-ventilated areas.
•Do not store propane indoors.
•Use only approved containers to store and transport gasoline.
•Have a thorough yearly maintenance check of the furnace carried out by a professional.
•When replacing an old furnace, consult a professional to determine the most safe, economical and efficient system for your home.
•Chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year.
Garage/workshop
•Flammable materials–thinners, gasoline, paints, industrial cleaners–should be stored neatly in approved containers and away from possible ignitable sources.
•Do not smoke, or leave matches or lighters in the garage or workshop.
•Install and know how to properly use the appropriate fire extinguisher for the
garage/workshop.
•Keep the area clean. Remove garbage, paper products, oily rags, and wood shavings regularly.