Fire Safety Education

Child Car Seat Safety

For Car Seat Inspections, please contact the Community Policing Division of the Abbotsford Police at 604-864-4814 to set up an appointment with an on duty tech.

Household Chemicals

Some of the common chemicals found in your home shouldn't be mixed together. It's one thing to say "don't mix bleach with ammonia", but it's not always easy to know what products contain these two chemicals. Here are some products you may have around the home that should not be combined.

Don't mix chlorine bleach with any acid.
Bleach with Acid Toilet Bowl Cleaners. This mixture can result in toxic, potentially deadly fumes.
Bleach with Vinegar. Vinegar is a type of acid. Toxic chlorine vapor is produced.
Bleach with Ammonia. Toxic, potentially lethal vapors are produced.
Different Brands of One Type of Product. Don't mix different cleaners together. They may react violently, produce toxins, or become ineffective.
Highly Alkaline Products with Highly Acidic Products. Acids and bases (alkalis) can react violently, presenting a splash hazard. Acids and bases are caustic and may cause chemical burns.
Certain Disinfectants with Detergents. Don't mix disinfectants with 'quaternary ammonia' listed as an ingredient with a detergent. The effectiveness of the disinfectant may be neutralized.

Chlorine bleach is sometimes called “sodium hypochlorite” or “hypochlorite.” You will encounter it in chlorine bleach, automatic dishwashing detergents, chlorinated disinfectants and cleaners, chlorinated scouring powder, mildew removers, and toilet bowl cleaners. Do not mix products together. Do not mix them with ammonia or vinegar.

Read the labels of products in your home and follow instructions for proper use. Many containers will state the most common dangers from interaction with other products.

Household Chemical Disposal

Throwing your Household chemicals in the garbage or putting them down the drain can be dangerous to your family and the environment.

Infant Safety

Infant fire safety is one of the most important things to think about as a parent. Know what to do to keep your child safe.

Baby Proofing Steps:

Secure your Fireplace.
Use Safety Gates.
Use Door Locks.
Make your Windows Safe.
Take a Special Look at Kitchens and Baths.
Everyday Cleaners and Chemicals.

Baby proofing is extremely important, but remember, nothing takes the place of adult supervision.

Fire Safety Education for Babysitters

When you are babysitting, keep the following safety tips in mind:

Discuss the family’s fire escape plan before the parents leave.
Ask the parents if the house has working smoke alarms.
If you smell smoke, hear a smoke alarm or see flames, get yourself and the children out. Remember; get out and stay out!
Take the children to a neighbour’s house and call 9-1-1 from there.
Call the parents.
Do not go back inside the home for any reason.

Product Recalls

When you purchase items such as small appliances, electronics, lamps, car seats or baby products, always send in the manufacturer's registration card. The manufacturer will then be able to contact you if there is a recall for that product. For a complete history of the most recent recalled Underwriters Laboratories of Canada items visit Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Natural Gas

Safety At Home

Kitchen Fire Safety

Keep cooking surfaces clean and clutter free
Operate microwave ovens safely
Take care of electrical cords
Install working smoke alarms
Stay in kitchen when cooking
Avoid loose sleeves that may dangle into flames or onto hot elements
Turn pot handles in
Slide a lid over the flames

Candle Use Safety

Consider using battery-operated flameless candles which can look, smell, and feel like real candles.
Use sturdy, safe candle holders.
Protect candle flames with glass chimneys or containers.
Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
Avoid using candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas.
Keep children and pets away from burning candles.
Be careful not to splatter wax when putting out a candle.
Never use a candle when oxygen is present.
Always use a flashlight, not a candle, for emergency lighting.
Keep matches and lighters up high, out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.

Home Fire Escape Plan

“Working smoke alarms and well-planned home fire escape plan can save your life!”

Install working smoke alarms
Draw a floor plan of your home
Choose a family meeting place
Plan and practice your home escape plan
Teach all family members to follow the home escape plan

Smoke Alarms

It is recommended that smoke alarms be installed on every floor of your home and outside each sleeping area. For maximum protection, install a smoke alarm in every bedroom, especially if you sleep with your bedroom door closed.
Install smoke alarms high on a wall or on the ceiling. Keep smoke alarms away from anything that can blow smoke away from the sensor, such as windows, air registers and ceiling fans.
Read manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow them exactly.
When purchasing a smoke alarm, make sure that it has been tested to CAN/ULC 5531-M Standard or by an approved testing agency.

Seasonal Safety Tips

Get Ahead of the Winter Freeze

It’s not too early to begin preparing for the heating season. Check these 10 tips and get ahead of the winter freeze.

Furnace has been inspected and serviced by a qualified professional during the last 12 months. (furnace should be serviced at least once a year)
Chimneys and vents have been cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional. Checked for creosote build-up. (Not cleaning the chimney is the leading cause of chimney fires from built up creosote. This service needs to be done at least once a year.)
Wood for fireplace or wood stove is dry, seasoned wood.
Fireplace screen is metal or heat-tempered glass, in good condition and secure in its position in front of the fireplace.
A covered metal container ready to use to dispose cooled ashes. (The ash container should be kept at least 10 feet from the home and any nearby buildings.)
Children know to stay at least 3 feet away from the fireplace, wood/pellet stove, oil stove or other space heaters.
Portable space heaters have an automatic shut-off.
Portable space heaters will be plugged directly into an outlet (not an extension cord) and placed at least three feet from anything that can burn; like bedding, paper, walls, and even people. (Place notes throughout your home to remind you to turn-off portable heaters when you leave a room or go to bed.)
We have tested our smoke alarms and made sure they are working. (You need a smoke alarm on every level of the home, inside each bedroom and outside each sleeping area. For the best protection, the smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.)
Tested the carbon monoxide alarms and made sure they are working. (Carbon monoxide alarms should be located outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.)

Fireworks not Permitted in the City of Abbotsford

Every year, thousands of people – most of them children – are treated in emergency rooms for serious injuries related to fireworks.
Fireworks (sparklers and firecrackers included) are not toys.
The City of Abbotsford has banned the sale, use, and discharge of fireworks. Some of the important points for Fire Rescue Service members are:
- No person may offer for sale, sell, give or trade Fireworks within the City boundaries.
- No person may have Fireworks within the City boundaries.
- No person may fire or discharge Fireworks within the City boundaries.

Holiday Lights

Use fewer lights when decorating for energy savings and increased safety.
Do not use frayed or damaged strings of lights or extension cords.
Use only CSA or ULC approved light sets.
Never use indoor lights outdoors.
Do not string more than 3 sets of lights together.
Do not overload extension cords or electrical outlets.
Turn off and unplug all holiday lights when you leave home or go to sleep.
Use a timer to turn lights on and off in your absence.
Keep excess electrical cord away from high-traffic areas.
Never use staplers to secure cords.
Make sure that replacement bulbs are of equivalent or lower wattage than the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Do not let young children plug or unplug the lights.
Never yank on the cord to unplug lights. Pull the plug from the outlet.

Christmas Trees

If you have a natural tree, make sure it isn’t losing needles (this means it is too dry and poses an increased fire hazard).
Cut 1 inch off the trunk to aid water absorption.
Use a tree stand that holds at least 1 gallon of water. Refill it every two days.
Check the water level daily.
Secure the tree so that it doesn’t tip over.
If you purchase an artificial tree, make sure it is flame-resistant and CSA or ULC approved.
Position your tree at least a meter from heaters, fireplaces and other heat sources.
Don’t block stairways or entrances.
Never use lighted candles on or near a Christmas tree, be it natural or artificial.

Halloween Safety

Don’t get caught up in the holiday spirit —make sure your children trick-or-treat safely.
Rather than buying a mask, use makeup, so the children can see more easily.
If your kids go trick-or-treating after dusk, make sure they have a flashlight and are wearing reflective material.
Dress children in warm, light colored clothing, so that they may be easily seen when crossing the street.
Do not purchase Halloween costumes and other items which are not marked “Flameproof” or “Flame-Retardant”.
Remind children to skip houses that are not well-lit.
Check candy before allowing kids to eat it.
Avoid tricks that could cause bodily injury, destroy property, or cause a fire.

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