Office of the Fire Marshal - Fire Prevention and Education


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Fire Prevention and Education - Tips Give Space Heaters Space Fire Won't Wait - Plan Your Escape Careless Smoking: Death by Fire Don't Reach for Danger! Test your Smoke Alarms Give Space Heaters Space Portable space heaters can quickly warm up a cold room but they have also been the cause of many serious home fires. They must be used with care. Keep portable heaters at least 3 feet (1 metre) away from things that could burn such as clothing, bedding, furniture, or curtains. And make sure you turn heaters off before leaving home or going to bed. Fire Won't Wait - Plan Your Escape If fire broke out tonight while you were sleeping, would you get out alive? You must develop a home fire escape plan now and practice it regularly. Make sure you know two ways out of each room. If you encounter thick smoke, drop to the floor and crawl on your hands and knees to safety. Call the Fire Department from a neighbour's home. Remember, fire won't wait - so plan your escape. Careless Smoking: Death by Fire Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. If you know someone who smokes, be sure to remind them of these safe-smoking habits. Smokers should never smoke in bed or when tired. Heavy drinking and smoking can be a lethal combination. Smokers should use large, deep ashtrays and never empty ashtrays into the garbage. Ashes should be disposed of in the toilet or doused with water. If there is a smoker in your household, make sure your home is well equipped with smoke alarms that will alert you in case of fire. Don't Reach for Danger! If a pot caught on fire in your kitchen, would you know what to do? Your fire department wants you to put a lid on cooking fires. Keep a proper fitting lid nearby and slide it over the burning pan, then turn off the burner. When you cook always wear tight fitting sleeves and never reach over a hot burner. A dangling sleeve passing over a burner can suddenly catch fire. If this happens, knowing what to do is a matter of life and death. Don't panic and run. Drop to the floor and roll over and over to smother the flames. Test your Smoke Alarms The firefighters of New Brunswick remind you that smoke alarms save lives - but only if they are in good working order. To make sure your smoke alarms work, test them each moth by pushing the alarm test button. If you have difficulty reach your alarm, use a broom handle or a cane to gently push the test button for 30 seconds. If the alarm doesn't sound, have the battery or alarm replaced immediately. Only a working smoke alarm can save your life.
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