Fire Prevention Week is underway.
Cory Boyd, Assistant Fire Chief and Manager of Fire Prevention and Education for the Williams Lake Fire Department will have new safety tips on fires and smoke alarms on their website to read and follow.
“The focus this year is to try and educate and inform people on when you need smoke alarms, where they should be, and when do you need them.”
Boyd also cautions of house hold appliances that could spark and cause a fire if left unattended or close to flammable items.
“Some other tips, if you have a chimney, get it cleaned. If you have a furnace to get it serviced. Heaters and different electrical items for warmth, make sure to keep them away from fuel sources along with making sure you unplug items after use.”
With the Thanksgiving weekend fast approaching making sure ovens, stoves, or any open candles are not left unattended are other tips that Boyd says will greatly reduce the chances of an accidental house from from igniting.
“Any holiday event of any kind usually means that you have a larger gathering of people. It’s always a good reminder that when you are cooking and you got kids and family around, you are not leaving any open flames unattended. Or anything hot unattended on the counter. If you are lighting candles in your home, that you are keeping them out of reach of pets and kids, and leaving them close to flammable items.”
Earlier this month, Category 3 open fires were permitted by the Cariboo Fire Centre, Boyd reminds people that while it is the start of cold season, wildfires and bush fires could ignite quickly if an open fire is left unattended and not carefully regulated.
