26 - Friday, May 10, 1991 - North Shore News HOME & GAR Remove hazards during spring WHAT SOME people do in: their basements fs almost ciiminal In fac, Karl Biermann offen can't tell the arsonists fram the inne cent homeowners. As a floss prevention specialist for a major insurance company, Biermann inspects homes after the tragedy of a fire, Arsonists, he says, put ‘ta (fire) accelerant — Kerosene, gas, cleaners or hair spray near the furnace.’’ Dogs are trained to ‘sniff out’ the presences of these substances, but the irony is that your average homeowner often places things like paint cans and cleaners too close to the furnace. In a recent incident, an open can of paint thinner was left on a bench near the furnace in the basement of a triplex. During the night, the fumes were ignited by a spark from the furnace, leading to a fire that destroyed two-thirds of the building. Smoke alarms woke all the occupants, fortunately, and no one was injured. You may have your own brand of Molotov cocktail stored away in your house. ‘‘We often have to cover a homeowner's carelessness,’’ says Biermann, “tand this sort of carelessness costs everyone by driving up claims and premium costs — to say nothing of the lives it endangers.’’ In his job as a loss prevention specialist, Biermann supervises home inspections of many proper- ties, alerting homeowners to dangers and hazards they were unaware of. In some cases, he will insist the hazard be remedied or removed before an insurance poli- cy is issued. ‘It’s in the best in- terest of all our customers not to offer coverage in a blatently risky situation, and to advise people of a potential threat to their safety.”” You can do your own home in- spection with some tips from a pro. What should you be looking for? We're in the basement, so let’s start here. The furnace, as Bier- mann puts it, is to many ‘‘the box downstairs.’? Homeowners, he said, don’t appreciate that it needs air to breathe. Proper venting in the area around the furnace and via the ductwork is essential for a sate. officign’ Tueb burm, An an- Aual cheekup and professtanal cleaning be your fuel company oy one of its agents is umust. The heating season may be coming to aun end, but now is a good time to get rid of all thar precious stuff chat’s accumulating and creeping close to the furnace. Take a minute, too, to clear the lint that has collected in the hose that vents the dryer. Biermann recalls a recent case where an en- ure house was destroyed by a fire resulting from lint igniting while the dryer was in use and the fami- ly was out for the evening. **It was six weeks before the family could return to their home,’* says Biermann, ‘and a few moments could have prevented it. But even with monthly cleanings. you should never leave the house with the dryer running.** Still in the basement, all cleaners and paints should be sealed tightly in metal containers, including any oily rags you keep. Highly flammable or combustible liquids should be taken outside to the garage or a shed, where they cannot be ignited by a spark from the furnace or water heater. The kitchen is another key area to Jook at. Keep the oven clean and don’t store flammable articles above it. And mount an all-pur- pose fire extinguisher close by. Cooking fat is a common cause of house fires. Always use a CSA approved, thermostatically con- trolled, sealed deep fryer — never an open pot on the stove. “Care is the watchword in the kitchen,"’ says Biermann, ‘‘and this extends to the variety of haz- ardous materials stored under the sink. Aerosols, cleaning liquids, and the fumes given off by mothballs are all flammable and should be kept well away from any heat source.’’ “‘The hazard symbol on house- hold products should be noted, and make sure your children un- derstand them,’’ advises Bier- mann. For this reason, it's impor- tant to store these products in their original containers — never put bleach, for example, into an old juice jar. The bathroom also has its Beautiful cultured pearls with detachable mabé pearland diamond enhancer (sold separately) dangers. Reep medicines and disinfestants out oot children’s Teach. Dispose of old preseription medicines oor aver the counter drugs Unat are pitssed their expiry date. Throughout the resi oof the house — living room, dining rooms and bedrooms — Biermann looks for overloaded — elecirical outlets und extension cords. ‘'Ex- tension cords should never be run under carpets and I check to make sure they’re in good condition. Outlets are designed to serve two appliances. Period. Any more than that puts a strain on your wiring and is an electrical fire waiting to happen.” Make sure your TV and stereo sysiem have space around them to prevent overheating, and keep portable heaters at least three feet away from bedding or curtains. Always turn heaters off when you go to bed. Finally, and perhaps mest im- portant of all, check your smoke detectors. ‘*My experience has shown me that while most people have a smoke detector, mast do not have enough, and many are not in gcod working order,’’ says Biermann. You should have a smoke detec- tor outside zach bedroom and on SMALE & BOYES LIMITED SB 1921 coal LEATHER LEATHER LEATHER SALE 20% - 25% OFF 1! [firs in LEATHER it's ON SALE NOW at SMALI.& BOYES... SOFAS. CHATRS,. RECLINERS. INCLINERS. SECTIONALS... if it's upholstered in LEATHER vou can SAVE 20% to 25%... Don’t miss this opportunity fo purchase the finest in leather furniture and SAVE! SMALL & BOYES LIMITED 56 East 2nd Avenue Vancouver 876-2274 cleaning each additienal level of the hose, including the basement. Pest then each month, clean them twice a sear. and chanyve the batteries ai- nually., Never borrow the batteries for something else. 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