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Municipal Affairs
December 15, 2010
Minister Reminds Residents to Exercise
Safety Over the Winter Months
As the weather begins to change and the
temperatures dip below freezing, the Honourable Kevin O�Brien, Minister
of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency
Services, is urging communities and residents to be as safe as possible
and practice basic emergency preparedness.
"Severe and changing weather conditions and
winter storms are a fact of life in Newfoundland and Labrador and we can
expect no different this year," said Minister O�Brien. "Our government
is keenly aware of the risks associated with extreme weather and is
intent on ensuring residents know what they can do to prepare ahead for
any type of weather event. Having a storm readiness plan for your family
and preparing an emergency kit can help save you time, effort and
frustration when our winter weather impacts life in our communities."
Emergency preparedness kits should be kept in
an easily accessible location in the home and should contain items that
will be beneficial during a storm or power outage. Some of the items
residents should keep in mind when compiling a kit for the household
include battery -powered
flashlights and radios, tools for emergency repair, ready-to-eat food, a
first aid kit, blankets, and extra clothing. In the event of a storm, it
is also recommended an emergency kit is placed in personal and
commercial vehicles.
Minister O�Brien noted that residents should
also be mindful of the methods used to heat their homes through the
winter months. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the most common risk
associated with home heating and can result in serious illness or death.
Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and
fatigue.
"I encourage everyone to ensure they are
following the manufacturer�s instructions and using general safety
measures when using home heating appliances" said Minister O�Brien. "I
urge everyone to make sure smoke alarms are installed and functioning on
every level of the home. A carbon monoxide detector is equally
important, as the toxic fumes are impossible to see, taste or smell. The
safety of the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador is a priority for
our government and I am certain it is a priority for citizens as well."
More information and safety tips can be found
at
www.gov.nl.ca/fes
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Media contact:
Cheryl Gullage
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 631-9962
cherylgullage@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Home Heating Safety Tips
General Tips
Inspect all heating equipment annually and clean, repair and
replace as necessary.
Test smoke alarms regularly.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central
location outside each sleeping area.
Space Heaters
- Maintain a one metre (or three foot) separation between things
that can burn, such as paper, furniture and curtains.
- When buying a new space heater, make sure it
carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory, such as
Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
- Turn off space heaters when the room is
unoccupied or under circumstances when manufacturer�s instructions
say they should be turned off.
- Portable space heaters are easy to knock over in
the dark and should be turned off while sleeping.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention
- Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible
warning signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual
bedrooms.
- Have a qualified professional check all fuel
burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least
once a year.
- Never use a range or oven to help heat a home and
never use a charcoal grill or barbeque in a home or garage. As well,
never keep a car running in a garage.
Fuel-Based and Electric Heating
- In a fireplace or wood stove, use only dry, seasoned wood to
avoid the build-up of creosote, an oily deposit that easily catches
fire and accounts for most chimney fires and the largest share of
home heating fires generally. Use only paper or kindling wood, not a
flammable liquid, to start the fire. While their use is safe in fire
places, do not use artificial logs in wood stoves.
- Make sure a fireplace has a sturdy screen to
prevent sparks from flying into the room. Allow fireplace and
woodstove ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container, which
is kept a safe distance from a home.
- Make sure fuel-burning equipment such as stoves
or fireplaces are vented to the outside, that the venting is kept
clear and unobstructed, and that the exit point is properly sealed
around the vent, all of which is to make sure deadly carbon monoxide
does not build up in the home.
2010 12 14
12:25 p.m.
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