News and Tips from your Greater Madawaska Township Fire Dept. (GMTFD)

October 4 to 10 is FIRE PREVENTION WEEK:

Please join us in our efforts to make the Township of Greater Madawaska one of the most fire safe communities in Ontario. We'd like to use the opportunity created by Fire Prevention Week to provide information and tips which we need to practice all year long every year of our lives!
To help you help us, we have taken information from the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office www.ofm.gov.on.ca and created a fire safety trivia game we call

"I Knew That!"

In this game, players get one point for each fire safety tip they can identify " the player with the most points wins, and will likely saves lives!!

There is no prioritization to the fire safety topics in the game. Don't try to cover them all at once. Pick the ones that most closely fit your lifestyle and do those first. Hunt camp owners and cottagers are encouraged to post the game page in their outhouse (to help visitors know that fire safety is important to you and our community).

Playing this game might very well save the life of someone you love. Please take the time throughout the year to talk to your family and friends about fire prevention and most important of all, to set a good example yourself.

Other news:

If you are a high school student looking for interesting work to fulfill your volunteer hours before graduating, let us know by calling 613-752-2222 + 0 or sending an email to firechief@townshipofgreatermadawaska.com
We will be working over the winter months on several projects to improve fire safety in our community. But, we can't be successful without you. Fire Department policies and By"laws are subject to a regularly scheduled review each year. This review will be conducted from January to March 2010 and you are encouraged to provide your input in writing. Email us at firechief@townshipofgreatermadawaska.com or drop off or mail your thoughts to the Township Office. Special mailboxes will be installed shortly at both the Calabogie and Griffith Fire Halls to also make it easier to provide input.

Some Quick Tips:

If your clothing catches fire, remember your childhood training "
STOP! DROP to the ground and ROLL (over and over) to put the fire out.
Cool a burn by running cool water over it for 3"5 minutes " seek medical attention if the burn is severe.
OK here's the Game which could save lives!

A fire safety trivia game from the GMTFD based on information provided by the Ontario Fire Marshall www.ofm.gov.on.ca)
DIRECTIONS: Read the title and introduction to each fire safety topic. Then, taking turns clockwise in the group, each player identifies one fire safe practice. Pass if you can't think of one. You get one point for each fire safe practice you can identify before anyone else does. The player with the most points wins.
Let's see if together you can get them all!
WATCH WHAT YOU HEAT " Stand by your pan!
Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires " keep an eye on your fries!
" Always stay in the kitchen when cooking " especially if using cooking oil.
" Keep a tight fitting lid for your pot near the stove. If the pot catches on fire, do not move the pan " put the lid on it and turn off the stove.
" Do not wear loose, dangling clothing while cooking.
" Keep dishcloths, paper towels and other easily burned kitchen items away from the stove.

ESCAPE PLANS " Get out and stay out " do NOT try to save pets and possessions!

In a large number of fire deaths people are found just inside the door to their house. In the panic of a fire, if we don't have an escape plan then we will try to make it to the door we usually use. Most often, it is too far to get out safely. In some cases, people have gotten out safely and then returned into the burning house to save pets or possessions.
" Develop and practice a fire escape plan from your home.
" Everyone must know how to get out and where to meet.
" Practice your escape plan with the entire family.
" If you are caught in smoke, " "get low and go" under the smoke to the nearest way out, not the door you use everyday.
" Make sure windows and doors are not blocked and are easy to open in heavy smoke.
" Identify who will help young children, older adults or anyone else who may need help getting out.
" Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree or neighbours house where everyone will go immediately so you can know they got out safely.
" Make sure your child can open the window by themselves and get out.
" Call 911 from a safe place outside

HEATING SAFETY " It's stove and fire place season so watch your ashes!

" Check your chimney" Creosote is a major cause of chimney fires " have chimneys and pipes cleaned regularly.
" Allow the ashes from your woodstove or fireplace to cool, then put them into a metal container and keep the container outside.
" Make sure your ash bucket has a tight fitting lid so the wind does not spread sparks when it's outside.
" Have all chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified service person.
" Check your chimney regularly for externally visible signs of damage or corrosion.
" Install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm to alert you to deadly gases.
" Give space heaters space " keep them at least one metre (3 feet) away from anything that can burn.
" Protect your home from sparks " use a fire screen.
" Watch for smoke backing into the room, this could mean a blockage in the chimney or a faulty damper control.

INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS IN YOUR COTTAGE & HOME " Smoke alarms can increase your chances of surviving a fire by up to 50%! Just like your home, every cottage or hunt camp in Ontario must have working smoke alarms on every level and outside all sleeping areas " it's the law.

" Install smoke alarms on every level and outside all sleeping areas.
" If you smoke in the bedroom, install a smoke alarm inside the bedroom, as well.
" Test smoke alarms every month and replace the batteries at least once a year. Pick a date… like Valentine's Day! Do something for the one(s) you love!!
" Vacuum the exterior of the smoke alarm using the soft bristle on your vacuum cleaner.
" Install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm and maintain it at the same time as your smoke detector.
" Electrically connected smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms will not work when the power is out, unless they have battery backup. Make sure your home has a battery"operated smoke alarm on every level and a battery"operated carbon monoxide (CO) alarm.
On request, GMTFD is pleased to visit your home, cottage or hunt camp to help you ensure that smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors are placed correctly and working properly. Please call (613) 752-2222 + 0 for more information.

CANDLES " A glowing concern " WHEN YOU GO OUT, BLOW OUT!

Candles are a common cause of home fires. Candle use when the power is off is common in our Township. Please use candles safely.
" Keep lit candles safely away from children and pets.
" Blow out all candles before leaving the room.
" Buy good quality candles that are smoke"free and drip"free.
" Secure candles in a sturdy holder, in a location where they can't be knocked over.
" Keep all combustible materials away from lit candles.

SMOKE ALARMS THAT DRIVE YOU CRAZY " Make it stop!

Only working smoke alarms save lives. If your smoke alarm goes off when you are cooking or showering " DO NOT remove the battery! There are solutions; visit www.makeitstop.ca for suggestions.
" Keep stove burners and ovens clean.
" Adjust the darkness setting on the toaster.
" Use a range hood fan.
" Install smoke alarms with a "hush" button that will temporarily silence the alarm and reset itself after several minutes.
" Move smoke alarms to a different location. We can help you find the right location if you call us.
" Try replacing ionization smoke alarms located near kitchens with photo"electric smoke alarms.
" Replace smoke alarms at least every 10 years!

POWER OUTAGES " we have the odd one!

" Electrically connected smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms will not work when the power is out, unless they have battery backup. Make sure your home has a battery"operated smoke alarm on every level and a battery"operated carbon monoxide (CO) alarm.
" Use flashlights or battery"operated lanterns instead of candles or hurricane lamps.
" If using candles, place them in a secure holder and cover them with a glass chimney.
" Place candles where they can't be knocked over and are out of reach of children and pets.
" NEVER bring propane or charcoal BBQs inside!
" Make sure electric stove elements and small appliances are OFF or unplugged to prevent fires from starting when the power comes back on.
" Only use space heaters designed for indoor use and follow manufacturer's instructions.
" During the power outage, conduct regular safety checks of each room in your home.
" While sitting in the dark, remind everyone about your home fire escape plan and how to get out and where to meet.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - remember the word "PASS"

In most cases, the best thing to do in a fire is get everyone out and call 9-1-1 from outside the home, but if you use your extinguisher, remember,

Pull the pin " Aim the nozzle " Squeeze the trigger " Sweep from side to side until empty (PASS)

" Only use fire extinguishers on small, contained fires.
" NEVER let the fire get between you and the way out!
" Visit your local hardware or building supply store and purchase an extinguisher that has an ABC rating. This type can be used on most fires. As a general rule of thumb you should have one fire extinguisher on each floor of your home or cottage. It's a good idea to buy one more fire extinguisher than you need and practice with it before you need to do it for real one day.
" Keep the extinguisher in plain site but out of reach of children and away from stoves and heating appliances.
" Most extinguishers empty in less than 30 seconds. If the fire is not out by then, leave immediately and call 911!
" Most stovetop fires can be safely put out without an extinguisher. Put a tight fitting lid on the pot to smother the flames and turn off the stove.