Living Rooms

The living room is a great area for family and friends to gather. It’s often the place for all things entertainment as well as a place you can sit back and relax. Since there can be so much activity in this area, it’s important to be aware of potential fire hazards.

Fireplaces 

• Always use a fire screen. Be sure it’s the correct size for the fireplace opening.
• Have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually. 
• Never leave lit candles unattended. 

Smoking

• Smokers should check furniture for fallen cigarettes or embers. These can smolder undetected for several hours before bursting into flames.
• Extinguish in water before disposal.
• Never leave cigarettes unattended in an ashtray.
• Use safety ashtrays with a double rim and deep centre.
• Keep matches, lighters and lit candles out of reach of children. 

Electronics

• Do not overload electrical outlets or use extension cords in place of additional outlets.
• Replace halogen floor lamps with incandescent or fluorescent lights. 

Sleeping Areas

Most fatal fires happen at night when people are sleeping. It is the law for all B.C. homes to have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.

Smoke Alarms 

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.
• Test your smoke alarms every month.
• Change smoke alarm batteries every six months.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Keep bedrooms non-smoking areas. 

Heating and Electrical

• Check electrical appliances regularly – electric blankets, heating pads, curling irons, radios, televisions, irons.
• Never set heavy objects on top of electric blankets that are in use.
• Don't drape scarves or clothing over lamps.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet from bedding, furniture and other flammable items.
• Don't run extension cords under rugs. 

Escape Plan

• Sleep with your bedroom door closed. If your smoke alarm sounds, feel the door before opening. If the door feels hot, use an alternate route.
• In case of a fire, have two ways to get out.
• Be sure no furniture blocks secondary exits like windows.
• Crawl low under smoke.
• Every family should have a home fire escape plan.