Top Tips: Sleeping Areas

Most fatal fires occur at night when people are asleep, and often, victims never wake up. Or due to darkness and sleepiness and panic, confusion sets in.

It's especially important to have your smoke alarms properly installed and to have an Escape Plan established with your family.  Use these tips and directions to stay as safe as possible in your sleeping areas.

Arm Yourself Properly in Sleeping Areas

• Keep bedrooms and other sleeping areas safe by installing smoke alarms outside each sleeping area, or inside each bedroom if you sleep with doors closed. As well, install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm outside the master bedroom.
  
  
• If your home has more than one storey, and especially if you sleep on the second or higher floor, keep a fire escape ladder either under the bed or in a linen closet near a window.
  
  

What To Do In Case Of Fire

• Yell to alert others at home with you and execute your Escape Plan as practiced.  
  
  
• Evacuate the home as quickly as possible and call 911 to call for help.

Tips to Prevent a Sleeping Area Fire

• Even small candles can cause a major fire. Place all candles in sturdy holders that won’t burn or allow wax to drip onto tables, floors or rugs. Keep them away from flammable materials such as curtains, books or posters and fully extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to sleep. Do not allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms, and keep an eye on pets who may brush against a candle.
  
  
• Ensure all extension cords and electrical devices are in good condition. Replace frayed or damaged cords.  Do NOT run electrical cords under carpets or heavy furniture where they may become frayed or damaged.
  
  
• Stay warm safely. If you use a space heater to keep warm in winter, make sure they are at least one meter away from anything that can burn. Turn all space heaters off every time you leave the room or go to bed. Remove space heaters from children’s rooms completely when the kids go to bed.
  
  
• Smoking and sleeping don’t mix.  Even if you feel wide awake, avoid smoking in or around your bed.  If you feel yourself getting drowsy, extinguish smoking materials immediately.