Fire is the third leading cause of accidental death in the home; at lease 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in residences.

Where Fires Occur
Fires in 1-2 family dwellings most often start in the:
Kitchen 23.5%
Bedroom 12.7%
Living Room 7.9%
Chimney 7.1%
Laundry Area 4.7%

• Cooking is the leading cause of home fires. It is also the leading cause of home fire injuries. Cooking fires often result from unattended cooking and human error, rather than mechanical failure of stoves or ovens.
• Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. Smoke alarms and smolder-resistant bedding and upholstered furniture are significant fire deterrents.
• Heating is the second leading cause of residential fires and the second leading cause of fire deaths. This is a result of the heating systems in single homes not being professionally maintained.
• Arson is both the third leading cause of residential fires and residential fire deaths. In commercial properties, arson is the major cause of deaths, injuries and loss.
  
  SMOKE & FIRE

  Detect fire in the early stages!

  Most fatal fires occur at night when you and your family are asleep; you can be overcome by smoke and never even wake up. Detecting smoke in the early stages of a fire could make the difference between life and death. Taking a few easy precautions to protect your home and family against smoke and fire may help save lives.

  Smoke Detectors
  1. Keep smoke detectors dust free.
  2. Test your smoke detector monthly.
  3. If your alarm doesn’t sound while testing the smoke detector, replace the batteries and try again. If that doesn’t work, replace the smoke detector.
  4. Replace the batteries at least once a year, or when you hear intermittent beeping.
  5. Have at least one detector on each level of the home, in hallways adjacent to stairs or bedrooms.
  6. Only use smoke alarms tested and approved by the CSA or ULC.
  Fire Extinguishers
  1. Make sure you own an ABC fire extinguisher.
  2. Learn how to use your extinguisher, pull the pin, aim low, squeeze the handle and sweep from side to side, keeping the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire.
  3. Ensure they are accessible and in high risk areas.
  4. Before you begin to fight a small fire, make sure everyone is out of the building and the fire department has been called.
  5. Don’t use extinguishers unless you know exactly what to do and still have a clear exit.
  Escape Plan
  1. Prepare a floor plan of your home showing at least two ways out of each room.
  2. Sleep with your bedroom door closed. In the event of a fire it helps hold back heat and smoke.
  3. Have easy-to-use escape ladders for the second floor of your home.
  4. Agree on a fixed location out-of-doors where family members should meet.
  5. Stay together and away from the fire.
  6. Check hallways and stairways to make sure they are free of obstructions.
  Fire Places
  1. Use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from flying.
  2. Don’t store newspapers, rags or other combustibles near a furnace, hot water heater or space heater.
  3. Don’t use extension cords with space heaters.
  4. Never use a gas range as a substitute for a furnace or space heater.
  Electrical Hazards
  1. Do not use extension cords unless it is absolutely necessary.
  2. Never overload a socket.
  3. Do not use a light bulb wattage that is too high for the fixture.
  4. If a circuit breaker trips or a fuse blows frequently, cut down on the number of appliances on that line.
  5. Make sure all electrical equipment bears the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label.
  Kitchen Fires
  1. Keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen, 10 feet from the stove near an exit.
  2. Never poor water on a grease fire. Cover the pan with a lid.
  3. Keep pot handles on the stove pointing to the back.
  4. Don’t store items on the stovetop.
  5. Don’t overload kitchen electrical wires.
  6. Clean the exhaust hood and duct over the stove regularly.