Make the grade with fire safety

Every post-secondary student should be fire-smart when living away from home, writes Chief Deryn Rizzi

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 12, 2019
Deryn Rizzi

Back to school is an exciting time. It means new clothes, school supplies and routines. For some parents, it means moving their children into new living accommodations as they attend post-secondary institutions. This is often the first-time youth are living away from home, so it’s important for parents to discuss fire safety with their kids and inspect where they are staying, to ensure it meets proper safety standards.

Smoke alarms

Every home in Ontario must have working smoke alarms on every level and outside all sleeping areas. The homeowner or landlord is responsible for installing and maintaining all alarms. I recommend parents install an alarm inside their child’s bedroom as an added precaution. Test the alarms monthly and especially after time away, like Christmas break and reading week. Notify the landlord immediately if an alarm is not working, and never disable an alarm. If an alarm gets triggered frequently due to cooking or steam from a shower, ask the landlord to move the alarm.

Have an escape plan

Everyone needs to know what to do when the fire alarm sounds. Student residences and large apartment buildings will have a fire safety plan, so make sure your child is aware of it. For other types of homes, your child can create their own plan, which involves knowing two ways out of every room and having a meeting place outside. Remind your children to remove clutter and keep escape routes clear.

Smoking

Establish rules about smoking, such as smoke outside, use ashtrays to prevent ash from falling on combustible material, and cool ashes before throwing them out. Extra caution should be used when smoking is combined with alcohol or medication. These can cause drowsiness or impact judgment and increase the risk of smoking-related fires.

Electrical equipment

Do not overload outlets. If extension cords and power bars must be used, make sure they are CSA/ULC approved, provide surge protection and are the proper gauge for the items plugged into them. Keep heaters away from anything that can burn and turn them off before leaving the home or going to bed.

Cooking

Cooking is the No. 1 cause of home fires in Ontario. Teach your kids to stay in the kitchen when cooking and keep combustible items, like towels and utensils, away from the stove. If a pot catches fire, slide a lid over the pot and turn off the stove.

September is an exciting time for post-secondary students, and they can be preoccupied with new surroundings, challenging school demands and an active social life. Talk about fire prevention and the importance of having a safe place to live. Whether it’s a school dormitory or a basement apartment, make sure your child’s living accommodations make the grade.