To buy time in the event of a fire, the London Fire Department is advising Londoners to close their bedroom door before going to sleep.
"Close Before You Doze” is the theme of this year's fire prevention week, which runs until October 12.
"We want to remind everyone to close your bedroom doors before you go to sleep at night. That way you can make sure you have ample time for escape in the event of a fire," said Deputy Fire Chief Jack Burt. "Fire strikes fast and with the synthetic materials that are in furnishings today, in your couches in your drapes, that fire burns very fast and very hot. You could have a flashover condition in your home in three minutes. Having that bedroom door closed and having a working smoke alarm could be the difference between life and death."
Every home is required to have a working smoke alarm on every storey, and near sleeping areas. Burt reassures closing the bedroom door will not prevent an individual inside the room from hearing the alarm, should it sound.
"They are loud and they're loud for a reason," said Burt. "It is also important to make sure that it works. Test your smoke alarm once a month to make sure that it works. I suggest that when you flip your calendar, check your smoke alarm and make sure you change those batteries in it at least once a year."
Fire officials will also use fire prevention week to educate the public about the most common cause of house fires in the city -- unattended or distracted cooking.
"Remember to look while you cook, stand by your pan, watch what you heat, be still by the grill," said Burt. "Make sure you stand in the kitchen when you're cooking and if you leave the kitchen make sure you take a spatula with you in your hand, that will remind you that you are still cooking in the kitchen."
The reminder about safe cooking is especially important as Thanksgiving weekend will see people spending more time in the kitchen preparing big meals for family and friends, noted Burt.
Over a five day period last week, London firefighters were called to seven serious fires, five of which were sparked by unattended cooking, said Burt.
The fire department will be holding a number of fire prevention week events over the next six days. A list of scheduled activities can be found by clicking here.
