Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Tel: 250-245-6400 Fax: 250-245-6411 Email: info@ladysmith.ca
We all have a role to play in fire safety. Taking simple steps to prevent fires can protect you, your loved ones, and your community. Here are some practical fire prevention tips from Ladysmith Fire/Rescue to help keep your home and neighbourhood safe.
They may be annoying when they accidently go off, but they’re an absolute lifesaver. In fact, having smoke alarms can reduce your risk by more than 50%. Ladysmith Fire/Rescue recommends checking your smoke alarm batteries twice a year. The best time to do it is when we adjust our clocks in the Spring and Fall.
Cooking, we almost all do it at one time or another. And, for many of us, it's a daily routine. Unfortunately, it's also one of the leading causes for fires and calls for service in Ladysmith.
That’s why Ladysmith Fire/Recue has put together some handy tips to help keep your kitchen safe:
Stay Alert
Never leave cooking unattended. Whether you're frying, boiling, or baking, stay in the kitchen while food is on the stove or in the oven.
Keep It Clean
Grease and food debris can ignite easily. Clean your stovetop, oven, and exhaust fan regularly. Don’t know how to clean your oven or exhaust fan? YouTube is a great resource.
Be Ready
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.
Fire blankets are nice to have, but we recommend having a fire extinguisher within arms reach in the kitchen as it’s more effective.
Make sure your smoke alarms are working by testing them monthly.
Dress Smart
Avoid loose clothing or dangling sleeves that can catch fire while cooking.
No Distractions
Don’t let your phone, TV, or conversations distract you when you're cooking—especially when using high heat.
Pets
Your furry or feathered friends are great at many things, but they’re not great cooks. That’s why they should stay out of the kitchen, especially when you’re using the stove or oven.
If a fire starts:
On the stovetop: Slide a lid over the flames and turn off the heat.
In the oven: Keep the door closed and turn the oven off. Call 911 if the fire becomes unmanageable.
NEVER ever use water on a grease fire.
Most kitchen fires are preventable. A little caution goes a long way in keeping your home and loved ones safe.
As a homeowner in Ladysmith, it is your responsibility to properly maintain your property and ensure it doesn’t pose a fire risk.
Here are a few low-cost tips that make a big difference.
Home
Yard
Clean roofs and gutters of debris
Keep lawn mowed
Ensure doors have a good fire rating and a good seal, including garage doors
Remove debris piles on a regular basis - spring/fall
Clear debris from under decking
Bark mulch is highly flammable - keep away from house by 10m
Ensure chimneys have a spark arrester to reduce sparks or embers from spreading
Place woodpiles away from your home
Consider screening eaves and vents with mesh to prevent
Place fire pits or burn barrels away from the house, as well as out of the way of trees
Double-paned windows offer the best fire protection
Ensure trees don't come close to power lines
FireSmart is all about making your home and property more resilient to wildfire. By completing a few basic FireSmart tasks around your property, you can protect your home and strengthens your neighbourhood’s ability to withstand wildfires.
Curious if your home is FireSmart?
Emergency Management Cowichan offers free home assessments. Schedule a visit or connect with a FireSmart representative today.
Did you know that uncontrolled vegetation, particularly tall grass, is a fire hazard? Did you also know that firebrands (hot, flying embers) can travel up to 2 kilometres ahead of a wildfire?
That’s why it’s essential to maintain landscaping and keep vegetation under control on all properties, including vacant lots.
As a property owner in the Town of Ladysmith, you’re expected to manage the vegetation on your property to help reduce the risk of wildfire.
Even owners of vacant land must ensure proper maintenance, regardless of where they live. Additionally, it is your responsibility to mow long grass on boulevards adjacent to your property.
Communities where residents take proactive steps to reduce their vulnerability are more likely to withstand a wildfire without needing intervention from Ladysmith Fire/Rescue.