Emergency Preparedness

July 24, 2024 Published by London and Area Chapter - By Trish Kaplan

Risk Management—Always Continued

From the CCI Review 2023/2024-4 June 2024 issue of the CCI London Chapter

Our responsibilities to protect our family and home must be a priority. Learning about fire prevention is often shared by the Ontario Fire Marshal, the London Fire Department and those experts in our city who carry out maintenance.

All of them provide very informative posts that can address potential hazards and accidents and many other issues that cause harm to individuals and properties alike. Safety must always be a priority for our families and homes. None of these posts or news items should be glossed over.

Prevention of Electrical Fires at Home

Make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are in good working order by testing monthly and changing out batteries at least once a year to ensure they function.

• Don’t overload electrical outlets and circuits by plugging in too many devices.
• Use power strips with surge protectors to safeguard against power surges
• Inspect electrical cords for damage or wear regularly and replace promptly
• Pay attention to signals from appliances that something is wrong
• Keep flammable materials away from electrical appliances and outlets to reduce fire risks.
• If you detect animals in your unit, remember the damage they can carry out. Mice, small as they are, can damage insulation by chewing and burrowing into it to reproduce; they chew on exposed wires that can cause electrical or other problems, including an attic fire. Report these infestations to your manager.

You can find more information to protect your home and family here.

Pet Safety and Fire

Fire crews were recently called to a report of smoke alarms sounding in a residence in London. No one was home but a pup. It was determined she had inadvertently turned on the oven, and the unit filled with smoke.

Pets can cause fires. The London Fire Department reminds you to never store combustible items in or near your oven. And, try to keep pets out of the kitchen when you are not home. Make sure your pet is included in your home’s safety plan. Some tips provided by the National Fire Protection Association to keep your pets safe include:

• Pets are curious. They may bump into, turn on, or knock over cooking equipment. Keep pets away from stoves and countertops.
• Keep pets away from candles, lamps, and space heaters.
• Always use a metal or heat-tempered glass screen on a fireplace and keep it in place.
• Keep pets away from a chimney’s outside vents. Have a “pet-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from the fireplace. Glass doors and screens can stay dangerously hot for several hours after the fire goes out.
• Consider battery-operated, flameless candles. They can look and smell like real candles.
• Some pets are chewers. Watch pets to make sure they don’t chew through electrical cords. Problems? Have them checked by a professional!

BBQ Safety Tips

For some, BBQ season is all year long. Insurance personnel, firemen, paramedics and other professionals that may have to attend to similar situation as seen below and weighed in to suggest this is not an uncommon situation. A grill placed too close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. Forewarned is forearmed!

A fire can put a real damper on what should be an enjoyable time of good food with family and friends. Here are commonsensical grilling tips to manage any risk:

• For propane grills, check the gas tank for leaks before use in the months ahead.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Place the grill well away from the home, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area.
• If you use starter fluid when charcoal grilling, only use charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire. When you have or are finished grilling, let the coals cool completely before disposing in a metal container.
• Never leave your grill unattended when in use.
• Don’t drink too much alcohol if you’re in charge of the BBQ.

Do You Know Your Roles in Fire Safety?

Fire safety within rentals comes into play when owners lease their units. Both landlords and tenants have responsibilities under the Fire Code and both parties can be charged for offences. If you are leasing one or more units, you are responsible by law to carry out the provisions and maintenance requirements for fire safety.

The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs provides information for both landlords (here) and tenants (here) in your roles of Fire Safety. It is important to note that both parties can be charged with offences under the Ontario Fire Code.

Compliance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997

In Ontario, compliance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, SO 1997 c 4, the ("FPPA"), is crucial for both individuals and corporations. This legislation outlines responsibilities and penalties to ensure fire safety standards are met, protecting public safety. Given the intricacies of the regulations, turning to legal or fire safety professionals for guidance is essential for navigating the requirements and avoiding penalties.

Adhering to the Fire Prevention and Protection Act, 1997 and the Ontario Fire Code is non-negotiable for ensuring fire safety and avoiding legal repercussions. The FPPA' s stipulations on offences and penalties serve as a stern reminder of the importance of compliance. For more information, visit here.

Living in a High-Rise

Statistics from the Ontario Fire Marshal indicate an increase by 10% last year in high-rise building fires. The province also saw the total number of fatal fires rise to 109. It would appear that there is a disparity between fire safety and knowledge. Sadly, those who are not required to be familiar are the residents. Added to that details of the safety procedures in the event of a fire are not reviewed well enough by the residents and sadly fires are impacting them. Maintenance issues left unchecked also lend to safety challenges in building and nuisance alarms can create a complacency among residents.

Safety of residents in our community must be a priority. The London Fire Department has a Certified Fire and Life Safety Educator available to speak to your group or class. As the high-rise community grows, so to does the number of residents who don’t pay the appropriate care to their safety in the event of a fire. There is no charge for this service for residents within the City of London. There is other programming to fit all needs and ages. For more information on booking a fire education presentation, visit the website here.

Currently, residential building managers, superintendents and security staff all require training under the Ontario Fire Code,” says Jason Reid of National Life Safety Group.

Accredited & endorsed by the Institution of Fire Engineers Canada Branch to meet the requirements of Section 2.8 of the Ontario Fire Code.

• Developed specifically for Licensed Condominium Managers, Property Managers, Building Admins, Superintendents, Concierge & Security teams and cleaning staff in residential buildings.
• This 3.0 Hour Certificate program was developed and is delivered by a team of recognized NFPA Fire & Life Safety Public Educators, with extensive experience technical program delivery & adult education.
• The program involves in person training and specific to your building’s approved fire safety plan.
• Uniquely developed for High-Rises, Mid / Low Rise and Townhome communities.
• Training meets 3.0 CPE Credits for Condominium Managers under the CONDOMINIUM MANAGEMENT REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ONTARIO (CMRAO)

Participants must achieve 75 percent in order to obtain the certification. Upon successful completion, a certificate with an IFE Canada seal will be issued. Sign-ups can be done here.

It’s important to remind our high-rise residents about fire safety. The London Fire Department provided the poster below on their social media page on June 26th. It can be found here for sharing with your residents.

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Trish Kaplan, CCI (Hon’s) is the parttime Administrator of the Chapter.; having served in the position from April 2003 to September 2010. She received the CCI Distinguished Service Award from CCI National in November 2006.

Trish served as a director on the chapter board from 2010-2015 and was subsequently returned to the position of Administrator.

Trish is a condominium owner, served as a director in the corporation she resides in for a time and is a retired condominium manager. Her experience in different areas of condominium continues to be a benefit to the chapter and its members.