n THE CARILLON STEINBACH, MAN. B12
Salute to Our FIRE FIGHTERS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
thecarillon.com
Stay alert: fire safety is in your hands I t’s a theme first endorsed by Fire ing spot. Check your smoke alarms every two months to ensure that they’re working correctly.
Prevention Canada in 2018 but it’s relevant today. The theme is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware — fire can happen anywhere”. The slogan identifies three crucial aspects of fire safety and reminds us that fires can occur when and where we least ex- pect them. 1. Look. Inspect your home for po- tential fire hazards — such as loose outlets, faulty wiring, frayed electri- cal cords and unattended candles — and eliminate them wherever possi- ble. 2. Listen. Keep an ear out for the sound of smoke alarms. If there’s a fire, you’ll only have a few minutes to escape the building safely and get to your household’s designated meet-
3. Learn. Make sure to learn two ways to exit every room of your house, through either a door or a window. Keep these exits easy to open and clear of clutter. Your household should have a fire escape plan in place and rehearse it at least twice a year. Though many people mistakenly think that a fire could never occur in their own home, mishaps and di- sasters don’t discriminate. Always be prepared for the worst. If you stay alert and take preventive measures, you and your loved ones are much more likely to stay safe during a fire.
GREG VANDERMEULEN CARILLON ARCHIVES
Our firefighters Courage that can’t be extinguished M ost people will flee from a burning building, but firefighters face the blaze head-on. Indeed, there are few professions that require the kind of
a car crash, their duties aren’t limited to extinguishing an engine fire. Firefighters must assist other emergency personnel to extricate victims from damaged vehicles and clear the wreckage. They may also receive special training to safely rescue people from confined spaces, collapsed buildings and beneath ice. Firefighters carry out their duties in extreme heat and blinding smoke. They work long shifts, both day and night, and risk their lives. In recent years, many firefight- ers have even volunteered to help their colleagues in other cities and countries battle volatile wildfires. This is a profession where altruism knows no bounds.
selfless courage that’s displayed by members of the fire service. Plus, many are volunteers, particularly in rural areas. In addition to putting out fires, firefighters are often the first responders during medical emergencies and at car accidents. As such, they must be trained to perform basic lifesaving interventions and assist paramedics. In some cities, they even carry naloxone to treat opioid overdoses. Similarly, when firefighters are called to the scene of
Are your fire escapes accessible? I n the event of a house fire, smoke can invade your home in less than three minutes. It’s
Top ways to prevent fires at home H ouse fires can stem from neg- ligence, mechanical mishaps or electrical failures. Need
therefore vital that everyone evac- uate the premises quickly. Will your emergency exits allow for this to happen? To avoid hindering your quick departure to safety, make certain that the doors and windows that serve as emergency exits are un- obstructed at all times. Put away all items strewn around them (shoes, backpacks, toys, etc.) and be sure not to block emergency ex- its with furniture or large objects. Also, in winter, carefully remove snow from all doors, balconies, windows and terraces after every snowfall. Make sure your house number sign is kept clear as well. Additionally, you should reg- ularly ascertain that windows intended as evacuation points effortlessly open (that they don’t get stuck due to ice or rust, for instance). And if you have young children, also make sure these ex- its are easy for them to reach and open. Finally, don’t forget to identify all possible hitches in your evacu- ation plan. Ideally, set up a strat- egy that allows for two different paths to get out of each room in your house.
Stairs • To ensure a speedy evacuation, make sure doors, windows and stairs are always kept clear. Basement • Have a professional look at your heating system every year. • Remove the lint in the dryer filter • Always keep an eye on lit candles. • Only plug appliances that use small amounts of electricity (lamps, TVs, etc.) into multiple-outlet adapt- ers and power strips. Garage • Store flammable products (paint, solvent, etc.) in approved containers and far from heat sources. after each use. Living Room • Install a carbon monoxide alarm near the garage door and on each floor of your home. Bathroom • Make sure all electrical outlets have an integrated circuit breaker.
some specific advice on how to pro- tect your home? Room by room, this graph shows you the fire-safety hab- its and protocols you should adopt. Attic • Don’t store fuel or flammable materials in the attic. Chimney • Have your chimney swept at least once a year. Bedroom • Never smoke in bed. • Install a fire alarm in every room and check the batteries once a month. Batteries should be changed every year. Kitchen • Never leave food cooking unsu- pervised. • When unplugging electrical ap- pliances (toaster, kettle, etc.), do so by pulling on the plug, not on the cable.
A huge thank you to our local firefighters!
101 Hwy 12N, Steinbach, MB R5G 1T5 (204)326-6437 | highwaymazda.ca
STEINBACH, MAN. THE CARILLON n B13
www.thecarillon.com n
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
Salute to Our FIRE FIGHTERS
How to pick an emergency meeting place E mergency meeting places are an important part of any emer- gency plan. It’s recommended that your family has two designat- ed meeting places: one just outside your home and one just outside your neighbourhood. When deciding where to meet near your home, make sure it’s far enough away that the emergency won’t pose an immediate danger. Some good options could include the end of your driveway, a neighbour’s house, the corner of your street or the far edge of your property. When choosing a meeting place outside your neighbourhood, you should take into consideration the various dangers a disaster may pose in the event your community is evac- uated. For instance, pick a spot far away from rivers and lakes in case of flooding. Above all, you should make sure to choose a location all family mem- bers are familiar with and know how to get to in case of an evacuation.
Portable fire extinguishers: making the right choice U sed to douse the flames of a burgeoning fire, a portable fire extinguisher is a valu- able piece of safety equipment that you als (wood, paper, cloth, etc.), flammable gases or liquids (oil, gas, grease, etc.) and electrical equip- ment (wiring, electrical panel, etc.). Furthermore, check whether it’s refillable or has a limited lifespan.
Once you get home, install the fire extinguisher near an exit, but at a good distance from possible fire sources (oven, heater, etc.). Most importantly, learn to use it and be ready to act in case of an emergency. If your fire extinguisher was made before 1985, be sure to replace it ASAP.
3. It has a minimum 2A 10B C rating, which means it can put out a two cubic foot paper or wood fire (2A) and a 10 cubic foot gas or oil fire (10B). The letter C means that the extinguishing agent does not conduct electricity. 4. It’s lightweight and easy to use, since the ex- tinguisher won’t be of any use if it’s too heavy for you to wield.
should have on hand at home. Do you need to buy or replace one? If so, be sure to look for a fire extinguisher that has the following four features: 1. It has a seal from a recognized organization such as the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC). 2. It can put out A, B and C type fires. In other words, it puts out fires from combustible materi-
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU TO OUR DEDICATED FIREFIGHTERS & DEPARTMENTS
to all the dedicated firefighters and La Broquerie Fire Department!
NEWS THAT MATTERS TO PEOPLE IN SOUTHEASTERN MANITOBA
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR DEDICATED FIREFIGHTERS & DEPARTMENTS! Hanover Station 1 Grunthal, Station 2 Kleefeld | Station 3 New Bothwell Thanks!
News that matters to people in southeastern Manitoba
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