FIRE ESCAPE PLAN AT WORK:
Do you know?:
-Your fire escape plan?
-Your designated meeting place in the event of a fire?
-Who your floor fire emergency officer is?
-The location of the nearest fire extinguisher?
-The location of the nearest fire alarm station?
-The location of the nearest two exits?
-Who needs assistance in the event of an emergency?

IF YOU DON’T KNOW, FIND OUT NOW!
-Mobility-impaired? Have you informed your floor fire emergency officer?
-Read the posted fire emergency instructions.
-Report all fire hazards.
-When the fire alarm sounds follow the instructions as per the fire emergency plan.

Develop and Practise a Fire Escape Plan
-Install smoke alarms on every level. Keep smoke alarms clean and dust-free, checking them monthly.
-Replace batteries yearly and alarms every 10 years.
-In order to be able to react quickly to fire, draw a floor plan of your home showing all possible exits from
each room.
-Where possible, plan two exits: a main route and an alternate route from each room.
-Since the majority of fire deaths occur while you are sleeping, you should practice your plan at night as
well, getting down on your hands and knees with a flashlight while crawling to safety.
-Heavy smoke impairs breathing, which is why staying close to the floor increases chances of escape.
-Heat and smoke rise – the air is more breathable and cooler close to the floor.
-Make certain that everyone understands that if they hear the smoke alarm, or someone shouting “FIRE”, they should immediately evacuate the home.
-Designate a meeting place outside your home in the event of a fire.
-Small children unable to escape should be taught to open their windows and wave an article of clothing to attract attention. Instruct them to wait at the window until someone comes and to never hide from the fire in places like under a bed or in a closet.
-Discuss with a fire department official whether an escape ladder would be appropriate to install.
-Sleep with doors closed. If children are frightened, parents can close doors after the children fall asleep and use a room monitor to hear them during the night.
-If awakened by a smoke alarm or a fire, instruct family members to feel the door for heat and check air at the bottom. If you don’t smell smoke and the air is cool, kneel and open the door slowly, turning your face away from the opening. If smoke is present or the door is hot, use another exit.
-Purchase an A-B-C fire extinguisher, whose rating is based on the fuel: ‘A’ originates from a wood or paper
fire, ‘B’ is caused by flammable liquids and ‘C’ is an electrical fire. Learn how to use this fire extinguisher
by remembering the acronym PASS. Pull the pin, Aim the extinguisher, Squeeze or press the handle and
Sweep side-to-side at the base of the fire.
* If you live in an apartment building, develop your escape plan taking into account fire escape procedures
provided by building management.
* Make sure your babysitter understands your fire escape plan.
* Practice Your Escape Plan: regular practice is essential so that every family member knows what to do and will be able to react quickly.
-If anyone in your home is unable to evacuate without assistance, assign someone to assist them.
-Ensure that everyone in your home knows not to re-enter.
-Call the fire department from a neighbour’s home.

HOME SAFETY SAFETY TIPS FOR THE HOME

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.
-Power bars should not be used to overload electrical outlets. Do not use extension cords in the place of additional outlets.
-Smokers should check furniture for fallen cigarettes or embers, which can smoulder undetected for hour 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 in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions: electric blankets, heating pads, curling irons, radios.