22 - Friday, June 7, 1991 - North Shore News Canadian figures on fires tell a harrowing story IT’S HUMAN nature to think bad things only happen to ‘‘the other guy.”’ But the fact is that bad things can happen to good people. Fires, for example. Everybody thinks they will never have a fire. But the figures tell a different story. In fact, chances are that you will experience at least one home fire in your lifetime — a fire serious enough to call the fire department. Each year, more than 600 Ca- nadians die in fires. The figures fluctuate from year to year, but it’s consistently the worst fire re- cord per capita in the modern, in- dustrialized world. Nothing to be proud of. The worst news, though, is that the vast majority of those fire deaths — about two-thirds — happen at home, many of them during the night while the victims are asleep, Those statistics are pretty sober- ing. But the District of North Vancouver Fire Department wants you to know you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from fire. First, you can be sure everyone in your family understands the dangers of fire and treat all possi- ble hazards carefully. Matches, lighters and other hazardous substances — like lighter fluids — are for adults. They are tools designed for a purpose. Young children should be taught that if they find these ma- terials around they should im- mediately give them to an adult. Matches, lighters and other dan- gerous materials should be kept in high cabinets, well out of the sight and reach of children. You can keep from overloading electrical circuits in your home. And if you use supplemental heating devices —- portable space heaters of any kind — you will always do so carefully and within the manufacturer’s suggestions for safe operation. Have all electrical LINDEN DRAPERY SERVICE Compare our prices! 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In the few short years since their introduc- tion, smoke detectors have made a real difference in the fire death rates. When smoke detectors are in place and properly maintained, they consistently save lives. There are different kinds of smoke detectors that work in slightly different ways. In general, they work by sensing when there's smoke in the air by sounding a loud alarm to alert occupants that they should escape. If you sleep with your bedroom door closed, as you should, detec- tors should be located between sleeping areas and the rest of the house to guard against fires that start during the night. Each sleep- ing area needs its own detector. Smokers should have their own detectors right inside their bedrooms. Additional detectors should be placed in the pathway between sleeping areas and garage, base- ment and other storage areas, especially areas where heating equipment or hazardous substances are kept. If you have wired-in detectors, add some battery-powered detze- tors as backup in case of electrical power failure. Once your detectors are in place, don't leave them on their own. About once 2 month, use the hose attachment of your vacuum cleaner to clear dust from the smoke detector. Press the test button to be sure the alarm sounds. Then, to test the sensing mechanism, blow some smoke from a cigarette or candle into the chamber of the detector, Keep blowing smoke until the detector alarm sounds. Then, at least once a year, replace the battery in the detector. For further information, con- tact the District of North Van- couver Fire Department non- emergency number 980-7575, or your local fire department. SHADE-O-MATIC CUSTOM BLINDS 40% OFF! 307 Lonsdale Avenue MINI VERTICAL . 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