Town of Banff

Fire Safety Tips

PREVENTION IS THE BEST PROTECTION

In Alberta, fires in single family, multi family and mobile family homes account for the majority of fire-related death, injury and property loss.

Fire safety begins at home

Unattended cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries.

In the kitchen

•  Use a timer when cooking.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Stay alert. If you are sleepy, fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it is best to avoid cooking.
• Keep children and pets away from cooking areas.
• Use the back burners of the stove whenever possible.
• Turn pot handles inward to avoid them from being knocked over.
• When frying foods, use a temperature-controlled fat fryer or skillet designed for a maximum temperature of 200° C.
• Keep all combustible items away from the stovetop. Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
•  Clean food and grease from stovetops. Keep the burners, exhaust fan filters/ducts and oven clean.

Elsewhere in the home:
Test your smoke alarms monthly. Replace the battery if the smoke alarm chirps and replace your smoke alarms every 10 years.

Develop an escape plan. Practise it with your family. Make sure everyone knows what to do if the smoke detectors come on.

A fire can become deadly in three minutes. Though the Fire Department  may respond within seven minutes, it may be too late to save occupants who have been overcome by toxic smoke from modern draperies and furniture.

It’s everyone’s responsibility to prevent home fires and to ensure the quick and safe evacuation of all your family, and your pets, in the home.