General Safety

A clean dryer makes for a safe and happy home.

By keeping your dryer free of dirt and lint, you can prevent home fires.

Dryer safety checklist:

1. Do not use your dryer without a lint filler.
2. Remove and clean all lint before and after each load of laundry.
3. Turn your dryer off when you go to sleep or leave the house.
4. Check the outdoor vent flap to make sure it is not covered by snow or leaves.
5. If you notice that your clothes are taking longer to dry than usual, clean your vent pipe or hire a dryer lint removal service.

Barbecues are a fun way to bring together family and friends, but they can also cause injuries and present fire hazards –– about half of the injuries caused by grills are burns.

Grilling safety checklist:

1. Keep your grills away from your home, railings and tree branches.
2. Always clean the grease from your BBQ after using it.
3. Do not leave your grill unattended.
4. Light your gas grill only when the lid is open.

Stay safe, warm and cozy during the winter by knowing how to prevent any fires caused by heating.

Heating safety checklist:

1. Turn off portable heaters when you leave a room or go to sleep.
2. Do not use your oven to heat your home.
3. Test all your smoke alarms at least once a month.
4. Install carbon monoxide alarms.
5. Hire professionals to install any heating equipment in your home.

We often use rags to help clean up spills, clean paint brushes or for home improvement projects.

If we don’t handle them properly, they can spontaneously cause fires on their own.

Oily rags safety checklist:

1. Do not leave rags in a pile. 
2. Take all wet rags outdoors to dry and weigh them down so they don’t get blown away.
3. Store any containers with oily rags in a cool place, away from direct sunlight or other sources of heat.
4. Store dry rags in a metal container filled with water and detergent, and close it with a tight lid. This will help break down the oils.

If your home has many personal items that prevent you from using your space normally or cause clutter, they could increase the risk of a fire or injury.

If an emergency were to occur, would firefighters be able to reach you?

Personal posessions safety checklist:

1. Create a home safety and escape plan that prioritizes clearing any exits or pathways.
2. Check that your electrical wires are not weighed down by personal items. Damaged wires can start fires.
3. Keep all flammable items away from your oven.
4. Test your smoke alarms at least once a month.