Fire Safety Education
Presentations and Public Events
The Fire Prevention team provides fire safety education through presentations and participation at public events.
Presentations
Presentations requests typically come from businesses, professional groups, health care facilities, educational institutes and other civic organizations. Topics presented are tailored to the audience and any special requests from the organization. Depending on the group or organization, topics might include:
- What is Fire? (Fire Tetrahedron)
- Four Points of Fire (Black, Gases & Smoke, Heat, Time)
- Firefighter Role
- Leading Causes of Fire in our Community & Prevention
- Smoke Detectors, Alarm & Suppression Systems
- Fire Extinguishers
- Evacuation Plans
- Fire Safety in the Workplace
- Hotel/Motel Safety
- Health Care Facility Safety
Public Events
To learn more about fire safety and meet the people who make a difference in our community, look for the Fire Rescue staff at the following events:
- Burn Awareness Week - working with the Schools.
- Emergency Preparedness Day.
- Canada Day Parade and the Family Fun Day.
- Berry Festival.
- Fire Prevention Week.
- Food drive for the Abbotsford Food Bank.
- Other Community Events.
Cancellation of Presentation
- Presentations are subject to cancellation if an emergency should occur. The Fire Prevention Division will reschedule.
- Please provide at least 48 hours notice for cancellation of a schedule tour or presentation.
Child Car Seat Safety
The City of Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service is no longer offering child car seat Inspection; however the child car seats can be checked through BCAA. For information call 1-877-247-5551 or visit BCAA -Child Passenger Safety or ICBC-Child Seat Safety.
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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 it down the drain can be dangerous to your family and our environment.
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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:
- Do Basic Home Safety.
- 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 a working smoke alarms.
- If a fire occurs
- If you smell smoke, hear a smoke alarm or see flames, get yourself and the children out. remember the rule...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.
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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 UL or ULC items visit Consumer Product Safety Commission.
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Natural Gas
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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.
- Put candles out when you leave a room.
- 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.
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Seasonal Holidays
With a few simple tips you can ensure a safe and fun holiday is had by all.
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 to decorate children. That way, they 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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