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Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Office of the Fire Marshal |
Ministère de la Sécurité communautaire et des Services
correctionnels |
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Place Nouveau Building 7th Floor 5775 Yonge Street North York ON M2M 4J1 Telephone 416-325-3100 Facsimile: 416-325-3162 |
Édifice Place Nouveau |
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Fire Prevention Week is here
TORONTO (October 6, 2008) - Fire Prevention Week is October 5 to 11 and this year’s theme “It’s Fire Prevention Week – Prevent Home Fires,” addresses the leading causes of home fires in Ontario - cooking, heating equipment, electrical equipment, cigarettes, candles and matches and lighters.
“Almost all fires are preventable,” said Pat Burke, Fire Marshal of Ontario. “That’s why every year during Fire Prevention Week, fire departments across the province organize a variety of activities within their communities to promote the many ways throughout the year that people can keep their families safe from fire.”
A few important safety tips to remember to prevent a fire from occurring in your home include:
Safe Cooking
Watch what you heat – Don’t leave your
cooking unattended. Always stay in the kitchen while you’re cooking.
Heating
Safety
Have your heating system inspected annually by
a qualified technician.
Electrical Safety
Avoid
overloading a circuit with “octopus outlets”. If additional outlets or
circuits are required, have them installed by a licensed electrician.
Smoking Safety
Encourage smokers to smoke outside. If
people have been smoking in your home, check behind chair and sofa cushions
for cigarette butts before going to bed.
Matches and Lighters
Keep all fire starting materials out of the sight and
reach of children.
Candle Safety
Keep lit candles
safely away from children and pets and blow out all candles before leaving
the room. Remember, when you go out blow out!
“If a fire does happen, people may have only seconds to safely escape,” said Burke. “Smoke alarms can provide the early notification to safely get out. Develop a home fire escape plan and practise it to make sure everyone can get out quickly.”
It is the law to have working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas.
Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 in which an estimated 300 people tragically perished and some 18,000 buildings were destroyed. For more information about Fire Prevention Week activities in your area, contact your local fire department.
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For more information, or to arrange an
interview with the Fire Marshal, contact:
Marie Ainey, Office of the Fire Marshal, (416) 325-3155
Bev Gilbert, Office of the Fire Marshal, (416) 325-3178
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