Fire fighters in your neighbourhood would like you to take part in their Steps to Safety Home Visit Program.

News 100 redBy Staff

June 18th, 2019

BURLINGTON, ON

 

There is nothing worse than waking up to the smell of smoke and realizing your home is on fire or walking into the kitchen and seeing something on the stove that is ablaze.

fire-department-touch-a-truck

The Burlington Fire department has an active community Outreach program to educate and let the public see the equipment they use.

Most people don’t have a fire extinguisher at hand – they panic and call 911.

Most people don’t have an evacuation plan.

Most people don’t expect there to be a fire in their home.

The Burlington Fire department takes the view that nothing is more important than your safety. That’s why the Burlington Fire Department has created The Steps to Safety Home Visit Program.

Burlington firefighters will be visiting homes across the city this summer and fall to talk with homeowners about how residents can be safe at home.

Part of the visit includes a voluntary in-home safety assessment to make sure Burlington homes are protected by working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Understanding how to prevent fires from happening, having a home escape plan and being prepared for an emergency—big or small—are all essential steps to protecting what matters most.

Protect what matters most by following four simple steps to safety:

1. Prevent it – Stop fire and life safety emergencies before they start.
2. Protect it – Safeguard your home and family with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
3. Create it – Make a family escape plan.
4. Build it – Put together a 72-hour emergency kit.

Fire chief + swimmer

Fire Chief David Lazenby with a citizen who was rescued by firefighters at a swimming incident.

Why participate in the program?
• Peace of mind that your home and family are protected by working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as required by law.
• Meet firefighters from your neighbourhood fire station and ask safety questions.
• Learn how to stop fires from happening and what to do if there’s an emergency.

While participating in this program is optional, having working smoke and CO alarms is not. It’s the law that every home in Ontario must have:

• A smoke alarm on every level and outside all sleeping areas in your home.
• A carbon monoxide alarm next to all sleeping areas in any home with a fuel-burning appliance (i.e. natural gas, oil burning furnace, water heater, etc.) and/or an attached garage.

Know that smoke and CO alarms expire after 10 years, regardless of power supply. To determine how old an alarm is, check the side or back of the unit for an expiry date or date of manufacture.

The Burlington Fire Department has an Alarm Assistance Program (AAP) for homeowners over the age of 65 or residents with a disability that prevents them from maintaining their home’s smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. This program is for people with no support network or agencies available to assist. To learn more, visit: www.burlington.ca/AAP

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