Fire prevention at home can save lives

“WHILE HOME insurance pro- .

ects you in the event of a fire,
‘everyone hus a responsibility to
“make sure their home is free from
fire hazards,” says Dolores Vokey,
a home insurance expert,

By MH. Parnu
(Contributing Writer

“Based on our experience,
‘we've created the following list of
common fire hazards, We hope

‘homeowners will review it and cor

ect any hazards in their homes,”

r] Faulty or frayed wiring: Have

your wiring checked by a qualified
‘electrician and, if- necessary,
tipdate or repair it.

f Overloaded circuits: [If your
fuses or. breakers blow or trip more

than’ once, have your system -

inspected by an electrician.
& Improper use of extension

cords: Check all extension cords to .

ensure they are properly grounded,
in good repair, CSA ‘approved, and

not. overloaded or undersized for:

“the job...
q:] Hazardous lighting: Inspect all
fixtures: and lamps to ensure they

ren't situated too close to any-
thing’ flammable and that you’re
using the:

gi Incorrect use of space heaters:

ever leave a. space heater unat-

nded'and n ake sure. it-is away.

‘recommended wattage
‘ ~ acommon cause of house fires.

from any flammable material,
t2 Cooking appliances: When
using a stove, grill, electric frying
pan, ete,, don't be distracted or
leave it unattended.

Be especially careful when
cooking with grease or oil. Ma
grease fire starts, never try to

extinguish it with water, Lots of

table salt or baking soda may do
the trick.

If the fire is contained in a pot,
carefully cover it to cut off the
oxygen supply.

Microwave ovens are safer but
if you accidentally leave a twist-tie
or other metal on the food, arcing
may happen. In cuse of fire, unplug
the machine and do not open the
door.

Flammiables: Always store

ammable materials in their origi-
nal containers,

Hf that’s not possible, use only
approved containers and label them
permanently, Never store them
near a heat source.

i Fireplaces/wood stoves: Never
leave a fire unattended. Make sure
you have properly fitting screens

“so that sparks cannot escape.

Ei Matches/careless smoking:
Never smoke in bed or when you
are tired. Careless smoking is still

‘Make sure you use deep ash-

“trays so ‘that ignited or smoldering

outts cannot fall « out.

_« JETTED TUBS
* TOILETS
* SHOWERS
* SINKS
* FAUCETS
“KITCHENS.
* ACCESSORIES

\ FORMERLY LOCATED a at
! Beaver Lumber i in North Van
Now LOCATED ONLY AT

ERENNIALS
¢ over 100 varieties
to choose from!

Sale ends May 4/94
LONDON, DRUGS (Lonsdale & 20th, N. Van)

“Knowing about a fire in your
home as soon as it happens is criti-
cal to both putting it out and get-
ting out quickly and safely,” says
Vokey.

“There are a number of precau-

tions you can take to cnsure every-
one’s safety.”
(2 Smoke Alarms: Install smoke
alarms and check them periodically
to ensure they are in good working
order, Most fatal fires occur
between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m, when
the family is most likely sleeping.

Smoke alarms © should be
installed in hallways on each level
of the home.

Alarms should always be

To:
1159. West 16th Street
North Vancouver “

988-4141 Fax: 988-6633

Hours:

‘Mon.-Fri. 7:00am-4:30pm
Saturday 8:00am-1 00pm

attached to ceilings but not within
four inches of a wall or corner or
where there is a lot of heat, smoke
or steam (such as the kitchen, fire-
place, bathroom, etc.)

When an alarm is not working
well (the baticries need replacing
or there will be a malfunction), it
will emit a warning signal: a beep,
a wailing sound or a flashing light.

Batteries should be replaced
once & year — changing them on
an anniversary or birthdate may
help you remember.

Smoke alarms won't work if
they are clogged with dust so vacu-
um them-every six months,:

A Extinguishers: While extin-

Marina Drive

guishers are recommended, they
ure for minor, isolated fires, Your
first step should be to call the fire
department; don’t try to put out a
fire that is out of control,

Make sure you know how to use
the extinguisher before you have to
use it.

It should be non-toxic, light-

weight and recommended for all
types of fires, Have it checked
annually to ensure it will work
when you need it.
Fire Drill: Perhaps the most
important safeguard in your home
is an escape plan. A home and its
contents are replaceable — a life
is not,

West 16th Street

"That's right! J. COLLINS THOMASVILLE FURNITURE store has closed their Yaletown Galles.
We had to move the inventory to our warehouse but we had no room. = _
The opportunity to rent the large main floor of Weston’s Bakery became available for a short time. Oo
This will be a short 10 day Liquidation to insure we move the inventory.
The prices of the majority of the stock i is below our replacement cost.

HOME FURNISHINGS.

THE PLACE

ALL SALES FINAL

PARKING

NO EXCHANGES OR REFUNDS

DELIVERY EXTRA

WESTONS
| | BAKERY _

BOUNDARY ROAD

PARKING
THE PLACE

"3650 E. BROADWAY

/ EAST

HOURS: MON. thru FRI 10AM-8 PM.
SATURDAY 10AM - -6PM, SUNDAY 10AM-5PM :