Prevention and Education

Amherstburg Fire Services is concerned for our residents' safety. Mandatory inspections ensure that buildings adhere to the Fire Code, and education programs teach the public about fire safety.

We teach firefighters and the public about fire prevention and safety so that the municipality has fewer fire-related personal and property losses. Farm buildings do not fall under the Fire Code, and farmers need to ensure that their farms are as fire-safe as possible.

In Case of Fire in Your Home

Make a family fire escape plan and keep your escape routes free of obstructions. Practice this plan often, and keep these pointers in mind; they will tell you pointers from those who know what it takes to get out alive:

Stay calm.
Sound a warning.
If you awaken to a smoke-filled room, crawl below the smoke to safety.
Check the doors to see if they are warm. A warm door may mean that there is a fire on the other side. Use an alternate exit, if possible.
Get everyone out; wrap children in blankets if necessary-don't take time to get dressed.
Close the doors behind you as you evacuate. This will slow down the fire.
If it is safe to do so, turn off all appliances as you leave.
If your hair or clothing should catch on fire, smother the flames with a towel, blanket or other thick material, or stop, drop and roll out the flames. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
Call Amherstburg Fire Services from a safe location. Do not delay.

Home-Safety Tips

Check your smoke alarm regularly and replace the battery as necessary.
Avoid careless smoking. Use ashtrays and never smoke in bed
Avoid unsafe cooking practices. Use caution when frying and keep a lid close by to cover a pot of hot grease in case it catches fire.
Avoid storing unnecessary flammable liquids in your home or attached garage. Never store propane cylinders in your home or attached garage.
Do not use unsafe electrical appliances. Discard frayed extension cords and do not use them as permanent wiring. Do not overload circuits.
Twice a year, tighten fuses in the panel or check circuit breakers for free operation.
Ensure that your wood-stove and chimney are safely installed and maintained.
Clean-up your basement, garage, yard and other storage areas twice a year.

If you cannot extinguish a small fire with your portable fire extinguisher or if the smoke is hazardous, leave the area at once. Never place yourself or others in jeopardy by attempting to extinguish a fire. Close the door to confine the fire. Alert the other occupants and call 9-1-1 from a safe place. Finally, wait outside for firefighters to arrive.

Fire-escape Planning

A home fire-escape plan may save your family's life.

Developing a fire-escape plan

Install smoke alarms on each floor of your home. Test them regularly.
Draw a floor plan of your home showing all possible exits from each room. Plan a main exit route and an alternate exit route from each room.
Ensure that everyone understands that if they hear the smoke alarm or hear someone shout "fire," they should evacuate immediately.
Decide on a meeting place. Someone should phone the fire department (9-1-1).
Meet the firefighters when they arrive, so they know that you are safe.
Make certain that everyone in your home knows not to re-enter a burning building. Firefighters are properly equipped and trained to perform rescue operations-you are not.

Practice your escape plan

Regular practice is the best way to help prevent panic when an actual emergency occurs. Be sure that every member of the family knows what to do.

Additional information:

A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm usually provides enough warning to enable you to leave your home safely.
Before opening any door, feel it. Do not open a hot door. Use an alternate exit instead. If you can't climb out of a window, shout from it.
Smoke and heat rise; breathable cool air stays low down. Practice your escape plan by crawling on your hands and knees.
If you live in an apartment building, your escape plan should take the building-management procedures into account.
If there is anyone in your home who needs help to evacuate, assign someone to assist.
Make sure your babysitter understands your fire-escape plan.

Highrise Fires

If you discover a fire...

Leave the area.
Close all the doors as you exit.
Sound the fire alarm.
Telephone 9-1-1 from an area of safety.
Use a safe exit stairwell – not the elevators.

Upon hearing the fire alarm...

Turn off all appliances.
Feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, remain in your unit and call 9-1-1. If the door is not hot, leave the building via the nearest exit and close all the doors behind you.
If the smoke is heavy in the corridor, it may be safer to remain in your area. Close the door and place a wet towel at its base.
If the stairway is full of smoke, use an alternate exit. If all stairways are also full of smoke, it may be safer to stay in your area.
Make sure you take your room key, in case you are forced to return to your unit.

Know your building

You should know the location of exits and fire-alarm pull stations--this knowledge may save your life.
Make a simple floor plan showing two exits. Walk the distance and actually count the number of steps to these exits.
Make your family fire escape plan now. Have a family meeting to discuss the plan and the fire-safety information on this page.
In an emergency, hallway and exit lighting may be out. Make sure that you can follow your escape plan in the dark.
Conduct regular fire drills with your family and participate in those conducted by your building's management.

The Ontario Fire Code dictates that:

all exits are to be free of any obstructions,
all exit doors are to be kept closed, and
that you must report any fire safety violations to the superintendent immediately.

Residents are advised:

not to put burning materials such as cigarettes and ashes into the garbage chute;
not to dispose of flammable liquids or aerosol cans in the chutes;
not to force cartons, coat hangers or bundles of paper into the garbage chutes;
to cook safely;
to use only safe electrical appliances. Do not overload outlets;
to discard frayed extension cords. Do not use extension cords as permanent wiring; and
to avoid careless smoking-use ashtrays and never smoke in bed

Don't forget...

Never endanger yourself or others by attempting to extinguish a fire. If you cannot extinguish the small fire with an extinguisher, or if the smoke is dangerous, leave the fire area. Close the door to confine and contain the fire. Activate the fire alarm system, call 9-1-1 and wait outside for help to arrive.

Safety Tips for Babysitters

Babysitters are responsible for both the children and the property of their employer. Here are some tips to help you keep yourself and your charges safe:

Bring with you...

a smoke alarm,
flash light,
night light,
babysitter's pamphlet, and
telephone stickers of emergency numbers.

When you arrive, ask:

for emergency phone numbers such as the Poison Control Centre number;
the full address of the residence;
a phone number where your employer can be reached;
for a tour of the house, and take careful note of exits;
how door locks and windows work;
if the family has a fire escape plan and if the children have practised it; and
where the smoke alarm is, if it works, and if the children know what it sounds like.

When the parents leave, check:

that doors and windows are locked;
the kitchen to ensure that the oven and stove are off,
the living room to ensure there are no lit cigarettes, and
the bedrooms to be sure that nothing unsafe is lying in a child's reach.

We recommend that babysitters do not use cooking or heating stoves.

What to do in case... of a gas leak

Do not turn off any lights or electrical appliances.
Get out.
Call 9-1-1 from a safe place.

of smoke

Shout "fire"!
Stay close to the floor, where there is fresh air.
Close all doors as you leave.
Call 9-1-1 from a safe place.
Do not go back into a burning building.

of fire

Get the children out. Do not waste time getting them dressed, just wrap them in a blanket.
Once the children are in a safe place, call 9-1-1.
Do not go back into the building.

If you are in an apartment building and the alarm sounds, check the door.

If it is not warm, check the corridor for smoke. If there is no smoke, proceed to the nearest exit. Take the key with you. Sound the fire alarm and use the stairs - NOT the elevator - to leave the building.
If it is warm or if there is heavy smoke in the corridor, it may be safer to stay in the apartment. Close the door and place a wet towel at its base. Call 9-1-1 and tell them where you are- even if there are already rescue workers on the scene. Go to a window and signal your location. Wait for firefighters to rescue you.
If a fire should start in your apartment, stay low. Get the children out and close all doors behind you, especially your apartment door. Sound the fire alarm and use the stairs the get out of the building. If your clothing or the children's clothing catches on fire, smother the flames with a towel, blanket or other thick material, or stop, drop and roll out the fire.

Wood Stove / Fire Place Safety Tips

We all enjoy the coziness of a warm fire, but danger can be lurking if precautions are not taken:

Chimneys

All chimneys deteriorate through heavy use, neglect, and age. Some of the many problems include cracked or missing bricks, a blocked flue, missing mortar, a deteriorated crown, corroded flashing, corroded pre-fabricated chimneys, and creosote build-up.

Creosote forms when unburned waste products from wood adhere to the sides of the chimney. The worst danger is that creosote can ignite inside your chimney. A hot and quickly spreading chimney fire can cause damage to your entire house! A disaster such as this can be easily avoided by having your chimney checked annually.

Wood Stoves

Be sure to follow the manufacturers' directions and the local building codes for proper installation, use, and maintenance of your wood-burning stove.

Always start your fire using paper and small pieces of kindling. Never use accelerants to start a fire. Things can get out of hand in a hurry!

Burn only well-seasoned wood. Green or unseasoned wood burns cooler than well-seasoned wood, and can cause creosote to build up at a much faster rate.

Be sure to clean the ashes out of your wood-burning stove on a regular basis. Store the ashes in a covered metal container. Hot coals in discarded ashes can easily ignite grass, leaves, and trees if left uncovered. Keep the ash container at a safe distance away from the house and any other nearby buildings.

Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers

Change the batteries and test each smoke detector unit regularly. If for some reason you have disconnected a smoke detector, hook it back up. This precaution SAVES LIVES! Smoke detectors can be purchased at most hardware, home building, and a variety of retail stores. This is a very inexpensive way to protect you and your family.

Keep a fire extinguisher handy, and make sure that everyone in your household knows how to use it. Keep your fire extinguisher well maintained. If it does not work, it won't do you any good!

Summary of Tips

Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a certified, insured Chimney Sweep.
Never start a fire using an accelerant.
Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood.
Clean out the ashes regularly.
Store the ashes in a covered metal container at a safe distance from your house.
Be sure your smoke detectors are in proper working order.
Obtain a building permit prior to installing your wood stove.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
Make sure your fire extinguisher is well maintained and that every household member knows how to use it.