A14 Friday, October 4, 2019
Abbotsford News
A S A LU T E T O O U R
www.abbynews.com
Fire Fighters
Each year many people face the loss of home and property due to fire. Thousands more homes are saved by our brave & courageous firefighters. We salute the firefighters who face incredible risk to protect our community.
N AT I O N A L F I R E P R E V E N T I O N W E E K
October 6 - 12, 2019
Smoke alarms save lives
LOCATING/INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS: n Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. n For best performance, an alarm should be mounted on the ceiling in or near the centre of the room, hall or stairway, and at the head of each stairway leading to an occupied area. n Optimum location for wall mounts is at least 15 cm (6 inches) from the ceiling but not more than 30 cm (19 inches) from it. n Avoid installing where the temperature is less than 5 degrees C (41 degrees F) or exceeds 48 de-
grees C (119 degrees F). n Keep alarms away from doors and windows. n Never locate an alarm in front of an air register, fans or vents. n Keep alarms at least 60 cm (2 feet) from any corner. n Do not recess smoke alarms in walls or ceilings. n Smoke alarms in rooms with ceiling slopes greater than 30 cm (one foot) rise per 2.4 m (eight feet) horizontally should be located on the high side of the room. n Avoid locating an alarm at the peak of an “A” frame type ceiling.
Be Alarmed. Be Prepared. Home fire safety, we are all responsible. The risk of fire in your home increases up to 20% in winter. Make your home fire safe.
PUTTING SAFETY TO THE TEST
604-850-1943 31414 MarsHall rd abboTsford Hours: 8:00aM-4:30pM Monday-friday 8:00a www.fvfireprotection.com
n Never paint a smoke alarm. n Keep alarms 60 to 90 cm (two to three feet) away from light fixtures. WHEN HAVING AN ALARM CONNECTED INTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM OF A HOUSE YOU SHOULD: n Use a qualified electrical contractor. n Never install the alarm in the electrical circuit except at the main panel. Alarms must also never be installed in a circuit connected to an on/off switch. n Check the alarm when installation is complete.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: TESTING AND CLEANING: n Test your smoke alarm monthly and clean it every 6 months. Mark it on your calendar so that you don’t forget. Things to remember when testing your smoke alarm: n Ensure that power is being transmitted to the alarm and that it will activate in the presence of smoke. n Test your smoke alarm by pressing the test button. n Even alarms with a pilot light that indicate power is being transmitted, should be tested regularly. n Battery-operated smoke
alarms will warn you when batteries need replacing. Despite this, make it a habit to change the batteries yearly. n When you’ve been away from home for a few days, check your alarm on your return to ensure it is working properly. n Remember, your smoke alarm can’t protect you if the batteries have been removed or a plug has been disconnected. n The lifespan of a typical smoke alarm is about 10 years, but some models last as little as 5 years. – with files from Fire Prevention Canada
We thank our firefighters for risking their lives to protect and save lives in our communities. At Abby Fire Protection we are committed and take pride in the work that we do with over 20 years experience in inspection, testing and repairs of fire protection equipment and backflow preventer assemblies.
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2351 Beaver Street Abbotsford, BC V2T 3C9 Phone: (604) 768-8428 • Cell: 604-768-7330 Email: info@abbyfire.ca
Abbotsford News
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Friday, October 4, 2019 A15
OCTOBER 6 - 12, 2019
Plan to survive by planning to escape FIRE ESCAPE PLAN AT WORK: Do you know: n Your fire department’s emergency number? n Your fire escape plan? n Your designated meeting place in the event of a fire? n Who your floor fire emergency officer is? n The location of the nearest fire extinguisher? n The location of the nearest fire alarm station? n The location of the nearest two exits? n Who needs assistance in the event of an emergency?
AT HOME Statistics reveal that 78 per cent of deaths from fire occur in the home, with most of the fatalities taking place between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., while occupants are asleep. That is why it is critical to develop an escape plan, because one needs to react quickly, since with a fire: n The smoke is black and very thick, making it impossible to see. n There is no time for indecision; an entire home can be engulfed within five minutes. n Most people are killed by smoke inhalation, not the flame of the IF YOU DON’T KNOW, FIND fire. OUT NOW n The heat of the fire is extremely n Mobility-impaired? Have you intense and can kill you instantly. informed your floor fire emergency officer? DEVELOP AND PRACTISE A FIRE n Read the posted fire emergency ESCAPE PLAN instructions. n Install smoke alarms on every level. Keep smoke alarms clean n Report all fire hazards. n When the fire alarm sounds, and dust-free, checking them follow the instructions as per the monthly. fire emergency plan. n Replace batteries yearly and
alarms every 10 years. n In order to be able to react quickly to fire, draw a floor plan of your home showing all possible exits from each room. n Where possible, plan two exits: a main route and an alternate route from each room. n Since the majority of fire deaths occur while you are sleeping, you should practise your plan at night as well, getting down on your hands and knees with a flashlight while crawling to safety. n Heavy smoke impairs breathing, which is why staying close to the floor increases chances of escape. n Heat and smoke rise – the air is more breathable and cooler close to the floor. n Make certain that everyone understands that if they hear the smoke alarm, or someone shouting “FIRE!”, they should immediately evacuate the home. n Designate a meeting place outside your home in the event of a fire. n Small children unable to escape
20%
*
DISCOUNT
on Smoke Alarms during Fire Prevention Week Oct 6 - 12 *In-store only.
WE SALUTE
Abbotsford’s Firefighters!
Every Second Counts!
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. n Discuss with a fire department official whether an escape ladder would be appropriate to install. n 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. n 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. n 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. n If you live in an apartment building, develop your escape plan, taking into account fire escape procedures provided by building management. n Make sure your babysitter understands your fire escape plan. n Practise Your Escape Plan: regular practice is essential so that every family member knows what to do and will be able to react quickly. n If anyone in your home is unable to evacuate without assistance, assign someone to assist them. n Ensure that everyone in your home knows not to re-enter. n Call the fire department from a neighbour’s home. – with files from Fire Prevention Canada
Hall Four Pride Forever! Les Coughlan
( formerly of Hall 4) is proud to acknowledge the efforts of firefighters everywhere.
Plan 2 ways out.
• Fire alarm tests & upgrades • Sprinkler system tests & installs • Emergency & exit light units • Fire extinguishers sales & service • Fire safety plans • Fire hydrants
Taking care of your complete fire protection needs. info@elitefireprotection.com #1-33605 Maclure Road, Abbotsford
604.850.0014
www.elitefireprotection.com
Glenco is hiring at all levels Email-glenco@glencoelectric.ca 2121 Peardonville Road, Abbotsford, BC Bus: 604-850-1499 | Vanc: 604-856-8553 Fax: 604-850-5473 |
www.glencoelectric.ca
A16 Friday, October 4, 2019
Abbotsford News
www.abbynews.com
OCTOBER 6 - 12, 2019
Candles common cause of fires The misuse of candles is one of the major causes of home fires, especially during the winter and Christmas holidays. Candles provide great warmth and ambiance to any home. It is easy to forget that such a calming artifact is an open flame that can reach 1,400 degrees C. Most candle fires begin in the bedroom – with a mattress or bedding cited as the first item to ignite – except during the holidays, when more people use candles precariously too close to decorations. Furniture and combustible accessories are also cited as the first items in the home to catch fire from a lit candle. STATISTICS REVEAL THAT THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF THESE FIRES ARE: n Leaving candles unattended. n Falling asleep while a candle is lit. n Using candles for light. n Candles located too close to burnable objects. n Candles knocked over by chil-
dren, pets or sudden drafts. SAFETY TIPS n Extinguish candles when leaving the room or going to sleep. n Keep lit candles away from items that can catch fire such as toys, clothing, books, curtains, Christmas trees and paper decorations. n Place candles in sturdy, burn-resistant containers that won’t tip over and are big enough to collect dripping wax. n Don’t place lit candles near windows, where blinds or curtains may close or blow over them. n Don’t use candles in high-traffic areas where children or pets could knock them over. n Never let candles burn out completely. Extinguish them when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative material. n Never leave children or pets alone in a room with lit candles. n Do not allow older children to light candles in their bedrooms. A forgotten candle or an accident
n Be wary of buying novelty candles. Avoid candles surrounded by flammable paint, paper, dried flowers, or breakable/meltable containers. n Extinguish taper and pillar candles when they burn to within two inches of the holder, and container candles before the last half-inch of wax begins to melt. n It is best to use flameless candles to eliminate potential fire hazards. n Use extreme caution when carrying a lit candle, holding it well away from your clothes and any combustibles that may be along your path.
is all it takes to start a fire. n During power outages, exercise caution when using candles as a light source. Many destructive fires start when potential fire hazards go unnoticed in the dark.
n Never use a candle for light when fuelling equipment such as a camp fuel heater or lantern. n Keep candle wicks short at all times. Trim the wick to one-quarter inch (6.4 mm).
THE LAW n There are no legal standards or regulations for candles, including their make, design, safety features, location or use. n Candles are not tested by a testing agency for safety before they are put on the market for you to buy. – with files from Fire Prevention Canada”
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Abbotsford News
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Friday, October 4, 2019 A17
OCTOBER 6 - 12, 2019 The Abbotsford Fire Fighters Charitable Society made a donation of $40,439.27, money raised from the Abbotsford Fire Fighters Association Harvest Festival held on Sept. 20, to the Archway Food Bank. The money will go towards the food bank’s Starfish Pack program. The amount raised will provide food for 70 children in the Starfish program for one year at a cost of $575 per child. Pictured are members of the food bank and members of the Abbotsford Fire Fighters Association, including the Engine 6, Hall 6 on-duty crew. SUBMITTED PHOTO
bon monoxide deprives the blood of oxygen. Prolonged exposure can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage or death. CAUSES: Blocked or dirty vents, flues, chimneys and furnaces, as well as improper ventilation of burning fireplaces or woodstoves. DEATHS: Approximately
200 per year. PREVENTION: Annual inspection and cleaning of: • Furnaces • Chimneys • Fireplaces • Other fuel-burning equipment such as gas dryers. INSTALL at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Prot ec t
WHAT IS IT: A colourless, odourless and tasteless gas. SIGNS: Stuffy air, water vapour, backdraft and soot from a fireplace. SYMPTOMS: Headaches, weakness, nausea, vomiting and loss of muscle control. They can be mistaken for flu symptoms. EFFECTS: If inhaled, car-
es On
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the Centre oF hope 604.852.9305 www.centreofhope.net Thank you to our amazing firefighters for everything you do to keep our community safe.
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AFRS Family Night
OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, October 9, 2019 6 - 8 pm
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CITY OF ABBOTSFORD
Fire Rescue Service www.abbotsford.ca/fire