The Parksville Volunteer Fire Department has issued a reminder to residents.
“With the occurrence of three recent fire events in the City of Parksville, we wish to remind residents it is the basics that save lives, prevent injury and help protect property,” read a release by the department issued on Feb. 24.
The release offered several tips for residents to be cognizant of ensuring smoke alarms are functional as smoke is a highly toxic killer; ensuring fire sprinklers are functional as they save lives by keeping fires small, reducing smoke generation and providing time for escape; and by maintaining (and having knowledge of) fire safety systems in a residence and work space.
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Residents are reminded to be cautious with combustible solids and liquids. When cleaning ash and debris from a fireplace or wood stove, the fire department advises using a metal container and to not leave it inside or on combustible surfaces such as an exterior wooden deck, as ash may contain embers that can reignite.
Residents are also reminded to not misuse liquid fuels such as gasoline, which can be quite hazardous and produce severe burns if misused.
“It is critical to call 911 to report a fire emergency as soon as it is safe and possible to do so. Do not assume someone else has called 911 and please do not post to social media first,” read the release.
More information on fire safety can be found at parksvillefirerescue.ca. Residents are encouraged to contact Parksville Fire with fire and life safety questions.
– NEWS Staff, submitted