November, 1999

Residential fires are easily preventable

Fires cause an average of 22 deaths and 90 injuries every year in Saskatchewan. Most of these deaths and injuries can be easily prevented through the use of working smoke alarms.

"Residential fires most frequently originate in the kitchen, bedrooms and living room," says Lorne Whippler, SGI CANADA’s Assistant Vice President of Personal Lines. "In most instances where there’s a death or serious injury resulting from a fire, it’s subsequently determined that the home was not equipped with working smoke alarms."

In addition to installing smoke alarms and checking them regularly, Whippler says there are a number of other simple steps which will significantly reduce the likelihood of a fire starting in your home. He suggests the following:

• Store matches and lighters in a safe place, outside the reach of children.

• Cook with safety in mind. Do not leave food unattended on the stove or barbecue, and be prepared to extinguish a fire with a metal lid, salt, baking soda or portable fire extinguisher ­ not water. Never try to carry a burning utensil. Always remember to remove pots or pans from your stove.

• Before leaving your kitchen, always check to ensure your stove has been turned off.

• Before leaving your home, always check to ensure small appliances have been turned off.

• Inspect your home for things that could pose a fire hazard, such as overloaded electrical circuits or flammables stored in your home or outbuildings.

• Keep storage materials, rags, cleaning supplies and work clothes in ventilated metal cabinets.

• Ensure that wiring (including connections to junction boxes) and related equipment are kept in good condition.

• Keep motors, fuses, breaker panels and switch boxes clean and safe, with their protective covers intact.

• Use only fuses and breakers of the correct type and size for the wire gauge of your residence.

• Clean the furnace fan and filters regularly.

• Inspect and clean chimneys regularly.

• Periodically check fuel lines for leaks.

• Have your heating system serviced annually by a qualified heating contractor.

• If you use a wood burning appliance or fireplace in your home, become familiar with the safe operation and maintenance of it.

• Remove trash and debris from your residence and yard daily.

• Teach your family about fire safety and prepare and practise a fire evacuation plan.

For more information, contact:
Lorne Whippler
Assistant Vice President, Personal Lines
SGI
Regina
(306) 751-1898

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