While planning fun activities for your family this long weekend, the local fire department wants you to plan safety as well. The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department says it’s a great time to come up with a fire escape plan. Fire Prevention Officer Mike Vadlja offers these tips.
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It’s also important to make sure all your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in good working order.
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Vadlja also says it’s the law to have working smoke alarms on every level of the home and outside all sleeping areas. If you don’t, you might get a ticket for $235 or a fine of up to $50,000.
Simple steps for home fire escape planning include:
- Develop a home fire escape plan and discuss it with the entire household.
- Show everyone two ways out of each room, if possible.
- Check that all exits are unobstructed and easy to use.
- Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone else who may need assistance.
- Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree or a lamp post, where everyone can be accounted for.
- If there is smoke, get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit.
- Call the fire department from outside the home, from a cellphone or neighbour’s home.
- Once out, stay out. Never re-enter a burning building.