Heat Up the Winter Safely … Portable Heaters
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Portable heaters need space! Keep portable heaters
1 metre away from anything that can burn. This includes blankets, pets, children, curtains, clothing, furniture, papers products, and yourself.
- Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet.
Never use an extension cord. Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off in case the heater tips over.
- Turn off and
unplug space heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.
Patio Heater Safety … A HOT Topic this Winter Season
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Patio heaters are for outdoor use only! Never use them indoors or within an enclosed structure such as a tent.
- Keep patio heaters on stable even ground and away from anything that can burn.
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Never leave patio heaters unattended - always use caution when children and inebriated adults are nearby.
- Maintain your escape - do not position a heater in your exit path.
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Never move a heater with the flame lit. Shut off the fuel supply, let the heater cool and then move it. Operate heaters according to the manufacturers’ instructions.
- Propane cylinders should
never be stored indoors. If you need to store your patio heater indoors for security reasons, remove the propane cylinder first.
Fireplaces, Chimneys and Wood Stoves … Make Your Home Warm, Cozy and Safe
Fact: Half of home heating fires are reported during the months of December, January and February.
- Have a qualified technician install and maintain your heating equipment.
- Keep anything that can burn at least
1 metre away from heating equipment or open flames. This includes children and pets.
- Wood stoves - leave the doors closed unless loading or stoking a live fire.
- Fireplaces - prevent sparks from escaping - use a sturdy metal or heat tempered glass screen.
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Danger - glass screens (including glass doors of gas fireplaces) and doors stay HOT for several hours after the fire goes out.
- Empty ashes into a metal container. Keep the container outside and
never empty the ash directly into a trashcan. Douse and saturate the ashes with water.
Tackling Winter Safely - Snow Blower Safety
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Do not warm up the snow blower in the garage and wait for it to cool down before storing it after use.
- When refueling any small motor, such as a snow blower, make sure the motor has cooled before adding fuel.
- Clean up spilled fuel, which could easily ignite and cause serious burns.
Remember this limit - you can keep up to
30 litres of gasoline in the garage.
Seconds Count … Don’t Obstruct a Fire Hydrant
Fire hydrants are located on private and municipal property
adjacent to your home.
Hydrants are the main “water supply source” during a fire; this makes them a critical part of our firefighting operations.
Keep fire hydrants clear and unobstructed throughout the winter and
all year round!
- Clear the snow away from the hydrant, making it visible from the road.
- Park at least
3 metres away from the hydrant.
- Keep at least
1 metre between the hydrant and other items on your property such as trees and shrubs.
Eliminate Carbon Monoxide Poisoning This Winter...
Fact: During the winter months, Brampton Fire responds to an increase in carbon monoxide emergencies. In addition, 65% of all carbon monoxide deaths and injuries in Ontario occur in the home.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless, tasteless gas that can cause serious injury and death.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Verses Influenza:
Both share a few common symptoms including headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, chest pain, weakness and dizziness. However, the flu often comes with a fever.
As carbon monoxide poisoning progresses, more severe symptoms may include fainting, difficulty thinking clearly, increased heart rate, and eventually loss of consciousness and convulsions.
Winter Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips:
- Avoid running vehicles or any other fuel engines such as a snow blower in your garage - even if the doors are open.
- Ensure no outside heating vents are blocked. Be cautious of where you pile snow against your home.
- Never use barbeques, deep fryers, hot plates/burners, any portable fuel-burning appliance or generators inside your home or garage - even if the doors are open .
