HOME & GARDEN Seniors at greater risk of burns DATA FROM the National Burn Information Exchange reveal that upon reaching the age of 60 the risk of burn injury is greater than any time since childhood. We must be prepared in the event of an emergency. The following tips provide information on fire and burn prevention for everyone. INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS * install smoke alarms on each level of your home ® test once a month ¢ change batteries when daylight savings time occurs (or once every year) * dust months ¢if you have a hearing or vision loss, there are special detectors available. HAVE EXIT PLAN Iwo routes out of each or vacuum every six ¢ have room * clear all items from exit paths ®* be sure all exit doors, windows and storm windows can be easily opened * designate a meeting place out- side and ensure all family members are aware of this loca- tion © practise a family fire escape plan * once outside, never go back in the building for anything. FIRE EXTINGUISHER *use a fire extinguisher only if you know how * make sure it has been checked and is functioning * use only if the fire is small and defined ein any department *® remember, you have only one to two minutes to get out. IF FEXE OCCURS * get out of the building. Do not go back. Call the fire department or have a neighbor do it if unsure of the origin of the event, call the fire HOT TIPS North Vancouver District Fire Department fire, touch the surtace of the door before opening it IF THE DOOR Is HOT edo not exit — seek another way out eif there is no way out. use the phone and call for help. Gather wet towels or bedding, if possible, and stuff them into cracks at the bottom of the door to keep out the smoke or tape cracks in the door with duct tape. then go to the window and signal for help IF THE DOOR IS COLD ® open it a crack to peck out ® if there is no smoke, exit * close each door as you leave the room or apartment. A closed door can delay a fire’s progress for up to an hour eif there is smoke, get down under the smoke, and crawl out. There will be more oxygen and less heat near the floor. EMERGENCY DIAL 9-1-1 © speak slowly and calm: ‘‘There is a fire at ----’’ (give street ad- dress and community) eif in an apartment, state the floor and apartment number ° do not hang up until the dispat- cher tells you to. Fire experts say that up to 90 per cent of burns and fires can be prevented if you are informed, know what to do and make a few changes that will cost you very lit- tle money. For more information on how you can prevent burns and fir =. please contact the District North Vancouver Fire Departm - - non-emergency number, 980-757! or contact your local fire depart- ment. Watch out for signs of electrical problems FLICKERING LIGHTS and tele- vision interference are among the potential signals of trouble in an electrical system which need to be investigated by a qualified electri- cian. The following warning signs also warrant investigation by an electrician. © The main circuit panel — the fuse box in older houses or the circuit breaker panel in most newer homes overheats or tecomes discolored. © Fuses blow or circuit breakers trip frequently. e Appliances such as _ irons, toasters and waffle irons are slow to heat. ® Lights dim noticeably when appliances are operating. The wiring should be upgraded in a home if the following condi- tions exist: ® Rooms or stairways must be entered in darkness because of the lack of three or four-way light switches. © ‘Octopus’? outlets are found throughout a house. ©One appliance must be disconnected in order to plug in another. A qualified electrician can easily overcome these problems. Howev- er, after an electrical modification is made, the Jocal electrical in- spection authority must be con- tacted to have the system in- spected. This action ensures the systent is safe and the inspection requirements for the province or territory are fulfifled. The fall is an ideal time to have all aspects of an electrical system examined as part of preparations for the winter when people tend to spend more time indoors. This ex- amination can help householders make wider use of electricity, especially for heating. Electrical receptacles (commonly called outlets) do deteriorate over time, especially in areas of a home where small appiiances are used constantly. For example, electric kettles, toasters and frying pans can tax kitchen receptacles. Bathroom receptacles can take a beating from the repeated connec- tion and disconnection of hair dryers, curling irons and electric shavers. Worn-out receptacles should be changed by a qualified person to prevent overheating and failure. The contacts in a receptacle can lose their tension and fail to hold plug blades as tightly as needed. A loose connection causes overheating of a receptacle and plug which may fail and cause a fire. PACIFIC i id aubrey Schneider lighting pr he iClear Beveled GLASS FIXTURE (an peach accent) *S lights w/downlight PACIFIC es Hours Mon-Thurs 9-530pm, fre 9-9, Sat 9-530pm, Sun 12-55m RECLINER «Palliser » Benchcraft « Atlantic » Parkland » Stviecraft e Kroehtler ° Ascot from § DISCONTINUED MODELS WHILE QUANTITIES “§ m EXAMPLE: ANNIVERSARY Queen -sold in sets * All sizes availabie! Friday, Decem This CHRISTMAS Light Ups Your DINING ROOM in STYLE! edt Clear Bevelled GLASS FIXTURE + Scailaped edge * 6x60 watt ©1250 watt reflector eidownbgnt Reg $5. SALE *199°° OUR WIDE SELECTION OF FIXTURES NOW AT 50% OFF LIST PRICE: -. 294-5256 29 4702 E. HASTINGS ST., BURNABY lighting (across 2nd Narrow, turn left on E. Hastings) « Palliser « Braemore ° Standard C iw =o) Soran per piece we simply — sell. for tess. Furniture Expert ber 7, 1990 - North Shore News - 29 ___~F A 3-Tier Lucite QUADRIERI FIXTURE * 7460 wait Reg $715 00 Bring tes adin for an addiucnal S% off ail ighung fixtures ¥ vale uret Des 2530 (matching loveseat availabie) ° Benchcraft ° Parkland Palliser Atlantic from S499 SET-UP AND PICK-UP OF OLD FURNITURE OPEN SUNDAY 12-5PM FURNITURELAND — a 111 E. 3rd ST., NORTH VANCOUVER 986-1361