According to the Canadian Safety Council, every year about 400 Canadians lose their lives in an accidental household fire. In fact, it’s during the fall and winter seasons that the number of deaths caused by accidental household fires are at their highest.

Patrice De Luca, V.P. of Marketing and Business Development for Reliance Protectron Security Services, says one of the major reasons for this significant increase is windblown sparks from wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. “You need to take every possible precaution to minimize the risks of fire when you have a natural wood-burning fireplace,” he says. “Fire is one of the greatest threats to your family and home. People do not realize the emotional toll a fire can take, even if there is no loss of life.”

Here are safety tips to consider from Reliance Protectron’s free “Life Safety Program”:

• Windblown sparks can ignite an untreated roof, so when buying, building or renovating your home, make sure the roof is fire resistant.

• Dry leaves and evergreen needles in rain gutters can catch fire, so clear your gutters regularly – especially in fire season.

• Trim back any tree limbs that are within 10 feet of your chimney and dead limbs overhanging your home, to prevent them from catching on fire.

• To prevent sparks and embers from entering and igniting your home, make sure there are screens with openings of 1/2" or smaller overall attic and foundation vents.

• To prevent sparks from escaping and igniting vegetation near your house, cap your chimney with a 1/2" spark arrested mesh.

• Store firewood and other combustibles away from your home, and keep the lid on your trash can.

• To make sure firefighters can find your house in case of emergency, post your address prominently.

• Maintain your landscape to eliminate dead vegetation that could catch fire, and use plants that are fire resistant.

• Detectors for smoke and carbon monoxide should be installed at strategic locations – your kitchen, stairwell, bedroom hallways and other high-traffic household areas.

• Have an operable fire extinguisher readily available.

• Practice an escape plan at least once a year. Make sure the whole family is involved.

This article was provided by Protectron. Protectron’s Life Safety Program is offered free to families considering home security solutions. For more information on the program, or on fire safety and home security, visit www.protectron.com.