Justice and Public Safety
March 20, 2015

Public Advisory: Safety Tips During Winter Conditions

Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL) would like to remind residents, businesses, communities and recreation facility operators of the following fire and personal safety advice:

Residential Safety

  • Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be installed and tested regularly.
  • Snow should be cleared from vents associated with air exchangers, dryers, stoves, or other heating appliances.
  • Never use fuel burning appliances without proper venting.
  • Chimneys and vents should be inspected by a qualified professional annually.
  • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space heaters.
  • Plug only one heat-producing appliance (such as a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
  • Be sure to only use heat-producing appliances that are in good working condition.
  • Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device.
  • Never try to thaw frozen pipes with a blow torch, welding machine or other open flame.
  • Only use hot water or a laboratory tested device such as a handheld dryer for thawing.
  • When using an electrical thawing device, have a knowledge of electrical work and follow the product’s instructions closely or hire a professional.
  • If the home has a basement apartment, clear snow from the windows as they may have to serve as a fire exit.
  • In the event of a power outage, portable generators should be kept outside, away from windows, and as far away as possible from a home.

Public Buildings

According to the National Life Safety Code, all exits of a business, municipal building and recreation facility must be accessible and free of ice and snow, and all emergency exits must open freely with a path cleared to an open space such as a road or parking lot.

More information about fire and personal safety can be found at www.nfpa.org/safety-information or www.getprepared.gc.ca .

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Media contact:
Bradley Power
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 690-1810
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca

2015 03 20      4:30 p.m.