FIRE SAFETY 101 - A LESSON FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

(NC) - What would you do if you suddenly woke to the sound of your smoke alarm and found your bedroom pitch black because it was filled with smoke? Would you remain calm? In a situation like this, it is vital for you and your family to know exactly what to do. In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for a house to fill with dense, dark smoke and become engulfed in flames. If this ever happened - would you know what to do?

"The best way to improve your chances of surviving an incident is knowing what to do before you have to do it," says Brian Spiteri, Vice President, Consumer Products, KIDDE Safety Canada. "Know how to use your fire extinguisher effectively. Know that your smoke and CO alarms are functioning properly. Preparing an escape plan is the best way to ensure your family will be safe in the event of a fire. Practice your escape plan every year to be certain family members will know what to do."

Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Early warning about a fire means you have a better chance to escape before it spreads. Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor. Hallways longer than 30 feet should have one at each end. Smoke alarms should be placed near sleeping areas either on the ceiling (at least 6 to 12 inches from the wall) or on the wall (6 to 12 inches down from the ceiling).

Are You a Fire-Smart Family? You are on the right track if you can answer yes to the following:

• Every level of our home is equipped with a working smoke alarm.
• We test our smoke alarm once a month.
• We replace the batteries in our smoke alarm every year.
• Our family has developed and is familiar with our escape plan.
• Everyone in our family, no matter what the age, knows how to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.
• We have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and the garage and everyone knows how to use it.

For further information on protecting your family and home from potential fire hazards, contact your local fire department. - (NC)

- From News Canada