Public Advisory: The 12 Days of Fire Safety ï¿½ Day 12

Municipal Affairs
December 24, 2015

Public Advisory: The 12 Days of Fire Safety ï¿½ Day 12

As families across Newfoundland and Labrador settle in to sleep this Christmas Eve, protection from carbon monoxide poisoning must be a priority.

This deadly gas has no smell, taste, or colour and can form inside your home when burning fuel such as propane, oil, gasoline, and wood. The risk is especially high during the winter months as many homes are heated by one or more of these fuels.

The first and most critical step is to ensure your home has at least one carbon monoxide detector.

Choose a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified detector;
Follow the manufacturerï¿½s instructions on how to install, test, and use the detector;
If your detector is triggered, leave your home immediately and move to fresh air;
Never attempt to locate the source of carbon monoxide yourself;
Once outside your home, call 911; and
Never return to the home until the problem has been fixed by a professional.

Emphasis should also be placed on properly maintaining any fuel-burning appliance. Help ensure your home remains carbon monoxide free by following these steps:

Ensure fuel-burning appliances are well-maintained and inspected by a professional at least once annually;
During and after snowfalls, ensure the exhaust vents for dryers, furnaces, fireplaces, and stoves are clear;
Never use a barbecue, generator, or other fuel-burning appliance inside a home, garage, or any enclosed space;
Never allow vehicles to idle inside a garage, even if the door is open; and
Never use kerosene or oil space heaters or lamps in enclosed areas unless specifically designed for indoor use.

All residents of the province are invited to visit @FES_GovNL on Twitter during the 12 Days of Fire Safety to complete our fire safety quiz for the chance to win an emergency preparedness kit.

For more information about fire safety and emergency preparedness, visit the FES-NL website: www.gov.nl.ca/fes/index.html

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Media contact:
Ryan Crocker
Media Relations Manager
Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 709-690-1810
ryancrocker@gov.nl.ca

2015 12 24 10:05 a.m.

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