Ministry And BFRS Issue Fire Safety Reminders

The Ministry of National Security and the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service today [Feb 9] issued important fire safety reminders in the wake of a series of fires which have taken place throughout the community in recent weeks.

Some preventative measures as it relates to fireplaces, candles, heaters and gas stoves are as follows:

• Refrain from smoking when tired, either in bed or near combustible materials;
• Always stay in the kitchen when cooking or using the stove;
• Do Not use the stove or stovetop after having consumed alcohol;
• Never use your oven to heat your home;
• Never leave candles unattended and ensure they are placed on a sturdy base;
• Keep a “combustible free zone” – anything that can burn, at least three (3) feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, candles, fireplace, or portable space heater;
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters;
• Do Not add logs to a large accumulation of particles from previous fireplace burns;
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home;
• Have chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional;
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed;
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters; and
• Ensure smoke alarms are installed outside of sleeping areas. Must test them monthly and change the batteries twice a year.

For more information regarding fire safety tips visit nfpa.org.

#Fires

Category: Accidents and fires, All