Fire Prevention Week: Help keep your community safe from fire this fall

Released: October 13, 2016 at 1 p.m.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service reminds residents of fire prevention techniques

Winnipeg, MB - The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, in cooperation with the Winnipeg Police Service, the Community Services Department, and the Water and Waste Department, is reminding citizens to protect themselves and their communities against fire this fall.

Residents can reduce the risk in their neighbourhood by promptly reporting fire hazards such as abandoned bulk waste. It is also important to store your yard waste in proper receptacles and away from buildings on your property and, if possible, to only put yard waste out the evening before your scheduled collection day or weekend pre-collection.

Other tips for year-round fire prevention include:

  • Keep shrubs and trees near buildings trimmed and watered.
  • Store flammable material safely.
  • Dispose of garbage, leaves, lumber and bulky waste (such as mattresses or couches) properly and promptly.
  • Ensure that your shrubs and flower beds are regularly cleared of dead plant matter.
  • Do not extinguish cigars or cigarettes in potted plants. Potting soil contains peat moss that will ignite and smolder.
  • Firewood should be stored away from your house and garage.
  • Keep doors and windows secured. Don't use double-keyed locks or bars on bedroom windows that could trap a person inside during a fire.
  • Keep locks, hinges, frames, doors and windows in good repair. Check skylights, roof hatches, fences and gates regularly to ensure they are secured.
  • Use motion-activated lights to brighten the outside of your home or garage.
  • Be alert to any smoke or unusual odours.
  • Smoke alarms won't stop a fire, but they can save your life. Make sure you have working smoke alarms installed and change the batteries every year. Test your alarms monthly.
  • Develop and practice a home escape plan and regularly review it with your family.
  • Only use fire pits and other fire receptacles that are approved by the City’s Neighbourhood Liveability By-Law. Never leave an open fire unattended. Fire pits should not be used in wind speeds higher than 25 km/h.

To report accumulations of bulky waste on curbs or in back lanes, contact 311 by phone at 311, or by email .

For more information on yard waste collection, please visit City of Winnipeg - Yard Waste.

For more information on the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, please visit City of Winnipeg - Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.

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