Fire Safety
Electrical circuits
- Never run electrical wires under rugs and carpets
- Never use electrical appliances near water (e.g., kitchen sink or bathroom)
- Never run electrical wires over nails. This can cause short circuits.
- Do not use extension cords in place of permanent wiring. Be sure there are sufficient electrical outlets for your needs.
- Never use extension cords on appliances that draw a lot of power such as toaster ovens and electric heaters
- Dispose of unsafe electrical appliances or have them professionally repaired
- Dispose of frayed extension cords, damaged octopus plugs, etc.
Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves
- Always use a tight-fitting screen over fireplaces
- Chimneys need to be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis, especially for wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.
Fire extinguishers
- Each home or apartment should be equipped with an adequate, multi-purpose fire extinguisher
- Know when and how to operate the extinguisher
- Always store it in plain view at an exit. Never allow the fire to come between you and that exit.
- Do not try to fight even a small fire if you are vision impaired. Flames cannot be seen and may get out of control quickly.
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- Ensure that there is at least one working smoke alarm on each level or floor of your home or apartment and two on the top floor.
- Vacuum smoke alarms every six months to remove accumulated dust.
- Replace batteries twice a year, when the clocks are moved forward in the spring and back in the fall.
- Direct smoke into each smoke alarm once a month to ensure that it is working properly.
- Smoke alarms with a ten year battery life are available.
- If you live in a house heated with a fossil fuel (natural gas or oil), install carbon monoxide (CO2) detectors. If you don’t know where to install these, call your Fire Department or talk to a BALANCE Daily Living Skills or Orientation and Mobility instructor.
Escaping a fire
- Plan at least two ways out of every room.
- Make sure all windows and doors open easily.
- Learn how to quickly remove or break screens. Security bars may prevent escape.
- If your bedroom is on the second floor and you can’t get out your door, is there a balcony? If not, and you live in a house, buy a safety ladder that you can extend from a window sill.
- Have regular fire drills! Don’t expect others to plan these.
- Remember that smoke rises. The safest place to escape smoke is near the floor.
- If you share your home with others, decide on a place to meet after fleeing the building so you know all are safe.
- NEVER return to a burning home or apartment. Let the firefighters do their work.
Where there are smokers
- Tell people to never smoke in bed! Better yet, don’t smoke.
- Empty ashtrays into metal containers and never place ashtrays on chairs, couches or sofas. Sparks may fall into the cushions.
- Avoid careless smoking and provide deep, substantial ashtrays if people smoke in the apartment.
Apartment buildings
Garbage disposal
- Do not put burning materials down the garbage chute.
- Do not force cartons, coat hangers, bundles of paper, etc., into chutes.
- Do not dispose of flammable liquids or aerosol cans in garbage chutes.
Barbecuing
Using barbecues on balconies is dangerous. There is limited space and starter fluids are hazardous.
Storage
Keep storage areas tidy and to a minimum.
Know your building
- Never use an elevator when there is a fire in the building or when the fire alarm sounds.
- Learn the fire exits from various locations in the building.
- Know the locations of fire alarm boxes.
- Ensure that you have a working smoke alarm, as outlined above.
- Sleep with all doors closed to delay spread of fire.
- Ask your building manager to place you on a list of people who may need assistance in a fire. Add your dog guide to the list as well. Call your local fire department to be placed on their list too.
- Many apartment buildings have intercom systems that allow fire department personnel to communicate with tenants in case of fire. Others do not. Contact your fire department to ask what is recommended in your building when a fire alarm sounds. Explain that you have a vision impairment and ask if you should immediately leave the building when you hear a fire alarm or stay in your unit until contacted by fire department personnel. Of course, if the fire is in your unit, you must leave immediately and sound the fire alarm.
Fire safety in the kitchen
Cooking and grease fires
- Be extremely cautious when cooking with grease or oil.
- Never hang towels or linens near the stove or furnace.
- Remove pans of cooking fats and oils from the stove when not in use.
- Have an approved fire extinguisher handy for grease fires, and understand its use.
- Do not attempt to fight even a small fire if you are vision impaired. Flames cannot be seen and may get out of control quickly.
- Do not use water to put out fires caused by grease or fats from cooking. Keep baking soda on hand in an open box to pour on a grease fire (or put a lid on it). Do not store the baking soda in a cupboard above the stove. It needs to be easy to access if there’s a fire.
- Do not try to move a flaming pan off the stove. Use your judgement. Don’t put your safety at risk by trying to put out a fire.
- Do not put take-out or delivery containers in the oven. To keep food warm, take it out of these containers and place it on a cookie sheet or in an oven-safe container.
- Do not carry pans of hot grease.
Appliances
- Never stick a knife in your toaster when it is plugged in to release stuck toast.
- Do not put metal dishes in a microwave oven.
- Never use electrical appliances near water.
- Unplug electric kettles, frying pans and other small appliances when not in use.
Treating minor burns
To help prevent further skin damage and reduce pain, cool a burn with cool running water for 5-10 minutes. Do not use butter or salve as they will only trap heat and cause further skin damage. If blisters appear or skin is charred, seek medical attention immediately.
Other fire safety considerations
- Most fatal fires happen at night.
- Purchase fire insurance on your home or apartment and the contents. You can also get fire insurance on your life.
- Organize a meeting with your family and BALANCE instructor(s). Discuss what you can do to make your home fire safe. Talk about your escape plan—two ways out, escape ladders, a meeting place, smoke alarms, etc.
- It doesn’t matter what type of building you live in—you must know how to escape all types.
- If your clothes catch fire—STOP! Drop to the ground and roll over and over until the fire is out. Then wrap a blanket around you to keep warm.
- If you have a dog guide, buy a sticker for your door that tells people there is an animal living in your home.
For additional instruction on fire safety, contact your BALANCE Orientation and Mobility or Daily Living Skills instructor. For general inquiries about fire prevention contact Toronto Fire Services: 416-338-9050 (Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30)