FIRE and CO SAFETY
May 2013:
FOCA is pleased to participate in this year's Peace of Mind for Your Piece of Heaven campaign.
Do your part! Check all your smoke and CO alarm units, and replace them if they are old. Take steps today to protect your family.
May 2, 2013: The Yukon has become the first jurisdiction in Canada to make CO detectors mandatory in all residences. Read this CBC News article, including the reaction of the Ontario-based Hawkins-Gignac Foundation, which promotes CO awareness.
Is your cottage safe? See this short video reminder about fire and CO safety:
"Safe at the Cottage" 2012 Contest -Grand Prize Winner:
- Kristen Ellis of the Thunder Bay area
Grand prize includes 1 year Xplornet Internet, 32 GB Tablet with WiFi, FireSmart Safety Toolkit, Kidde Smoke & CO alarms and Escape Ladders, and Cottage Life Magazine Subscriptions.
Here are some excerpts from her winning contest entry:
My grandma's cottage was lost when I was a child due to arson. We take precautions like installing new batteries in smoke detectors... We always check our extinguishers on a regular basis... Anytime we have a bonfire, it is closely monitored and we always dig a pit surrounded by rocks to prevent any issues. Don't have fires on windy days ... and always have water handy if you intend to have a fire going.
Congratulations to our 4 Secondary Prize Winners, who win fire safety equipment and Cottage Life subscriptions:
- Marilyn Legault of Coe Hill
- Anne Coulter whose family cottage is on Lake Weslemkoon
- Richard Desco who cottages near Gilmour
- Kathy Tudor who cottages near Fort Erie
FOCA thanks all our contest partners: Kidde Canada; The Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council; the FireSmart program of MNR's AFFES; the Canadian Council of Fire Chiefs; Xplornet;Cottage Life.
A huge "thank you" to all of FOCA's participating member associations who helped spread the word to more than 13,000 families across the province this summer!FOCA, along with Ontario's Fire Chiefs, wants you to have ‘Peace of Mind for Your Piece of Heaven’. That’s the theme of our province-wide public safety outreach to help prevent fire and carbon monoxide related tragedies in cottage country.
Please take personal action in your cottage or recreational residence.
FOCA encourages everyone to be Safe at Home.
Remember these five tips:
1. Change all smoke alarm batteries and install one alarm on each storey, and outside all sleeping areas.
2. If your alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them.
3. If your cottage has a fireplace, or gas or propane appliances, install at least one carbon monoxide alarm.
4. Clean heating appliances and barbecues before use. Keep an eye on your barbecue and ensure all combustibles, as well as children and pets, are kept well away.
5. Check with your local fire department, municipality, or the Ministry of Natural Resources for restrictions on campfires or burning brush.July 27, 2012: CO Act scheduled for Third Reading at September 10th Legislative sitting. Read more...
NEWS ITEMS:
April 2012: Committee Transcripts from the Ontario Legislature on Bill 20 - Hawkins Gignac Act (Carbon Monoxide Detectors) Read here...
March 8, 2012: Private Members' Bill for CO detectors passes 2nd reading in Ontario. Read more...
April 2012: CO bill gains traction during committee hearings...
Dec. 2011: Hardeman brings back CO bill to Queen's Park. Read more...
June 2011: the Wawa Fire Dept. reminds everyone to have working smoke & CO alarms in cabins, cottages and boats used for sleeping. Read more...
June 2011: Read this online article about how a carbon monoxide detector saved the lives of a family at a cabin.
Fire Safety Links:
Safe At Home - home fire safety tips and info
End the Silence - carbon monoxide awareness
FireSmart - how to protect your property
Visit Peace of Mind for your Piece of Heaven for more information and tips especially for cottagers:
