Fire Prevention Planning

Canadian families are injured or put at risk every year because they have not taken the time to consider what to do in an emergency. The fall is a great time to re-evaluate your fire prevention plan. There are many quick and easy steps that you can take to prevent fires in your home. There are also measures you can take to prepare yourself in the event of a fire or emergency. Be prepared. Prepare a fire evacuation plan and make sure everyone in your home knows how to get out in case of a fire. Following are some important questions that will help determine if you're prepared:

• Do you have appropriate smoke detectors and fire alarms?
• Are you able to hear the fire alarm from all rooms in your house?
• Are you aware of what you should do if a fire occurs?
• Do you and all of your family members know what to do in an emergency?
• Are you able to evacuate independently?
• Have you made the necessary arrangements if you need assistance to evacuate?
• Have you made a fire safety plan?
• Do you need backup power for an elevator or a ventilator?
• Are you able to communicate easily during an emergency situation?

Smoke alarms are necessary features in every home. Your local fire department can advise you on the best types to purchase and where they should be installed. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, note that smoke and fire alarms are available with combined audible and visual signals, which will flash a light and make a loud noise. These smoke and fire alarms are suitable for installation throughout your home. It's advisable to install strobe alarms as they flash more brightly, or use vibrating alarm systems in areas where someone with hearing loss may sleep. Click here for more information on how you and your family can build a fire prevention plan and better deal with an emergency should one occur. Katarin Kupina