For more information, don’t hesitate to contact the City’s Division prévention at 450 662-4450. And if you smell smoke, phone 911 immediately and get out of your home!

The firefighters were in your neighbourhood to check your smoke detector. Since you weren’t at home, Villede Laval’s Service de sécurité incendie reminds you of some practical advice that could save your life. Remember that a home that is well-protected by smoke detectors in good working order can save lives.

For more information, visit Ville de Laval’s website (www.laval.ca) or phone 311.

You already have a smoke detector?A City bylaw requires that you install such detectors in your home.

Never remove the battery from your smoke detector, even if you need it for another piece of equipment or in case of a false alarm.

Install a smoke detector on each floor of your home—one near the bedrooms, at the top of the stairs, and if near a light fixture, at least 0.5 metres away from it.

It’s not advisable to install a smoke detector near the kitchen: It would needlessly be activated by the cooking appliance.

A smoke detector never goes off for no reason. If it is too sensitive, install it on a wall, 15 cm (6 in.) away from the ceiling.

There are a number of ULC-approved smoke detector models. It’s up to you to choose the one that suits your needs.

When you turn your clocks forward or back in the spring and fall, take the opportunity to check the batteries of your smoke detectors and replace them, if need be. A smoke detector’s life cycle is 10 years.

Consult the publication entitled Votre résidence abrite une soucoupe volante !

OUTDOOR HEARTHS OR FIREPLACES (BYLAW L-2000)

Before buying such an appliance, it’s important to be aware of the installation restrictions and the nuisance problems it may cause so as not to incur an unnecessary expense.

Ville de laval wishes to remind you that outdoor fires are prohibited on Laval territory, with the only exception being outdoor hearths or fireplaces, grills and BBQs. As for fireworks, although they may be purchased, it is strictly prohibited to use them without having obtained prior authorization from the Département de sécurité incendie de Laval.

To obtain installation advice or to learn more about the bylaws related to location (L-12137) and nuisances (L-12084), consult the municipal bylaw on outdoor hearths and fireplaces.

Visit the English website of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca); click on «Forms and publications» and then on «Security».

Make sure you choose an approved appliance and use it in keeping with the manufacturer’s operating manual.

Comply with the clearance recommended in the operating manual.

Before using it for the first time in the spring or summer, clean it and check the burners and gas lines of your appliance. Test for gas leaks on the lines and connections using soapy water.

Tanks containing liquid propane or propane gas and empty gas tanks mustn’t be stored or used inside a structure that is used or intended to be used as a shelter for people, animals or belongings.

In transporting a propane tank by car, make sure you secure it well in place, in a vertical position; open the windows or leave the trunk of the car ajar. Remember that a tank that’s more than 10 years old mustn’t be reused.

A BBQ may prove dangerous when not properly used.

PROPANE BARBECUE PORTABLE EXTINGUISHER

Having a portable extinguisher at your home is an excellent extra safety precaution to protect yourself against fire. This device, which is used to fight small fires until the firefighters arrive, is easy to use; however, if the fire is too big, think of escaping to a safe place instead of trying to fight it.

CHOOSING THE EXTINGUISHER There are a number of types of portable extinguishers, and each one has its own specific features. When you’re buying a portable extinguisher for your home, it’s suggested that you choose a 5-lb, ABC-type.

LOCATIONThe portable extinguisher mustn’t be located too near the main sources of a fire, such as a kitchen stove.

It must be visible at all times and preferably be located near an exit.

The extinguisher must be installed on a wall, neither too high (which would make it hard to handle) nor too low (so that it isn’t within children’s reach).

Consult the publication entitled L’extincteur portatif : usage et entretien préventifs.

HEATING SYSTEM

A heating system installed according to current codes and properly maintained by a qualified contractor is your best guarantee of comfort, savings and safety.

Natural gas, propane, oil, wood, pellets or coal: Regardless of the fuel used, get a specialized contractor with an appropriate license from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec to look after installation and maintenance of your heating system. An inspection of the system should be carried out every year by this contractor, and preferably before the start of the cold season.

Visit the English website of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca); click on «Forms and publications» and then on «Security».

Does your child know exactly what to do in case of a fire? A personal evacuation plan is an efficient, effective way of avoiding having anyone under your roof fall victim to a potential fire. It’s important to inform all family members about the existence of such a plan, because regardless of the situation, each one will have to take action. Here’s some advice for drawing up your evacuation plan:

Decide on a meeting place outside your home.

Identify the exits of your home.

Determine the path that each person should follow from each room in your home in order to go outside.

Emphasize to your children that they mustn’t hide under their bed.

Draw a map that will be able to guide you in case of an emergency.

Carry out a fire drill with your family and keep the map and plan handy.

EVACUATION PLAN

Consult the publication entitled Votre résidence abrite une soucoupe volante !

CHIMNEY SWEEPING (BYLAW L-12137)

It’s important to have your chimney swept every year.

The purpose of this operation is to remove the accumulation of creosote or soot in heating appliances and therefore prevent chimney fires, which cause serious damage to property and may endanger lives.

Chimneys, connection lines, flue pipes and chimney flues must be inspected annually and each time an appliance is connected, or after each chimney fire, in order to detect any hazardous conditions.

Ville de Laval recommends that you use the services of a chimney sweeper recognized by the Association des professionnels en chauffage (APC).

Consult the Petit Guide du ramonage.

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR

It’s a gas that can be fatal!

City Bylaw L-12137 now requires the installation of a carbon monoxide detector when there is a garage adjoining a dwelling or when there is an appliance operating on fossil fuel (wood, heating oil, gasoline, propane, natural gas, etc.).

The best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to install a carbon monoxide detector near the bedrooms. Proper maintenance and the safe use of equipment and appliances (furnace, stove, fireplace, etc.) and small motorized tools are also highly recommended.

Please note: Your smoke alarm doesn’t detect the presence of carbon monoxide. A number of models of carbon monoxide detectors are sold in hardware stores and most big-box stores.

Consult the publication Carbon Monoxide KILLS! Protect yourself, available on the Internet site of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (www.msss.gouv.qc.ca) : under ‘‘Public health» click on «Environmental health’’.

SMOKE DETECTOR Quelques

conseilsqui peuvent vous

sauverla vie!