Fire and Life Safety Topics

 

 

Clicking on a title in the list of topics will take you to the corresponding text.

 

  

 

Barbeque Safety

 

 

For many Canadians, summer is almost synonymous with barbeque season. By following a few simple tips for the proper use of your  barbeque before donning your "Kiss the Cook" apron, you can ensure the safety of yourself, your family, and your friends!

 

Let's begin with the cartoon above. What did this fellow do wrong?

 

Electric Charcoal Iron

To begin with, he probably didn't read the instructions that came with his barbeque. When starting a charcoal grill, use only charcoal starter fluid and follow the instructions on the label. Charcoal starter fluids are specially formulated not to flare up when ignited. Also, never apply additional fluid after the coals have been lit!

 

An alternative method of lighting a charcoal grill that avoids the use of matches and a flammable liquid is the electric charcoal starter - sometimes called a charcoal iron. Electric charcoal irons can usually get the coals going within 10 minutes. Once the coals are lit, unplug the iron and put it in a safe place while it cools down. Do not store the iron until it has cooled down completely.

Have a metal pail handy with water in it for safe disposal of charcoal briquettes once you've finished grilling. Briquettes can smoulder for up to 48 hours after use! Transfer the briquettes to the pail using metal tongs.

 

Nowadays, most Canadians use propane barbeques. Propane is stored as a liquid, but used as a vapour. Propane cylinders must be kept upright at all times to prevent leakage. Store propane cylinders outdoors and out of reach of children. Do not smoke near propane cylinders.

 

Propane barbeques that haven't been used in a while should be inspected prior to use. Look for cracks in the hoses, signs of wear, major rusting, loose connections and other possible leaks. Ensure that burners and openings are clear of rust, debris, animal droppings, insects and their nests. All hoses and joints should be soap tested periodically. Make up a solution of dish soap and water. Open the propane cylinder valve, but leave the barbeque burner control valves off. Spread the soapy solution generously on all fittings and the hose. If bubbles appear and become larger or increase in number, then you have a leak and the barbeque must be repaired. Never check for leaks with an open flame!

Fire at Connection between Cylinder Valve and Hose

 

Follow the manufacturer's instructions when starting your propane barbeque. Always have the lid open when getting ready to light your grill so that vapour doesn't build up. After use, always turn off the cylinder valve first, then the barbeque burner control valves. Doing so prevents propane from being trapped in the hose.

 

Some barbeque manufacturers recommend a cleaning routine that includes setting your barbeque to high and allowing it to burn for 10 minutes. During this process, do not leave your barbeque unattended. Safe practice dictates that any lit barbeque should not be left unattended.

 

Regardless which type of barbeque you own, the following tips will help keep you and your loved ones safe:

 

Safe Transportation of Propane Cylinders

 

Transport Canada's regulations for the transportation of dangerous goods allow a limited exemption for individuals wishing to transport propane cylinders after filling or purchasing. The cylinder(s) must be taken directly to the destination and must not be left in the vehicle.

Propane Placard

 

Cylinders must be transported upright and secured to prevent movement in the vehicle.

The maximum number of cylinders that may be transported is five.

If the above limits are exceeded in either an open or enclosed vehicle, your vehicle must be placarded as per Transport Canada placard requirements, carry the appropriate supporting documentation, and be operated by a person who has been appropriately trained.

 

Food Safety Tips

 

The information provided below is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

 

Barbeques are great fun, but they can also be potentially dangerous. Food-borne illnesses are most prevalent from May to September, so while you're making sure your barbeque is safe for another season's use, it's also a good idea to give some thought to food safety during our warm weather months.

Food-borne illness often presents with symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, exhaustion, diarrhea, dizziness or vomiting. It is often misdiagnosed as the flu.

Foods that present the greatest risk for causing food-borne illness are called potentially hazardous foods. Such foods are capable of supporting pathogenic (disease-causing) bacterial growth.

Potentially hazardous foods include: beef, poultry, pork, lamb, fish, and other seafoods; milk and other dairy products; cut melons; and cooked potatoes, beans, rice and pasta.

The following four safety tips will help reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses:

Hand Washing: Wash your hands before handling any food. Be careful of cross-contamination. Wash hands in warm, soapy water before preparing foods and after handling raw meats, including poultry and seafood.

Keep Raw Meats and Ready-to-Eat Foods Separate: When the juices from raw meats or germs from unclean objects accidentally touch cooked or ready-to-eat foods, cross-contamination occurs. Be sure to use two separate cutting boards: one for raw meat; and the other for ready-to-eat foods such as breads and vegetables. Wash cutting boards thoroughly in warm, soapy water after use. After grilling, don't put cooked food back on the plate the raw food was on nor use the same utensils to pick it up.

Cook Foods to Proper Temperatures: Foods are properly cooked when they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present. It is not possible to reliably judge that meat is cooked properly by the colour of its surface or juices. Use an instant-read digital thermometer to help ensure that meat is cooked thoroughly, and remember to wash the thermometer between temperature checks. The information in the following table is from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

FOOD

TEMPERATURE
Beef, veal and lamb (pieces and whole cuts) Medium-rare - 63° C. (145° F.)
Beef, veal and lamb (pieces and whole cuts) Medium - 71° C. (160° F.)
Beef, veal and lamb (pieces and whole cuts) Well done - 77° C. (170° F.)
Pork (pieces and whole cuts) 71° C. (160° F.)
Poultry (e.g., chicken, turkey, duck) (pieces) 74° C. (165° F.)
Poultry (whole) 85° C. (185° F.)
Ground meat and meat mixtures (e.g., burgers, sausages, meatballs, meatloaf, casseroles) - beef, veal, lamb and pork 71° C. (160° F.)
Ground meat and meat mixtures - poultry 74° C. (165° F.)
Egg dishes 74° C. (165° F.)
Others (e.g., hot dogs, stuffing and leftovers) 74° C. (165° F.)

Refrigerate: Perishable foods such as luncheon meats, chicken, potato or pasta salads, and so on should be kept in the refrigerator or in an insulated cooler packed with several inches of ice or freezer packs until just before serving. A temperature of less than 4° Celsius (40° Fahrenheit) should be maintained. Rinse and pre-chill whole melons thoroughly before cutting them, and then keep cut pieces of melon at 4° C. or colder. Refrigeration helps reduce the growth of bacteria in foods. Foods left out for more than 2 hours may not be safe to eat, and if it's over 32° C. (90° F.) outside, put food away after no more than 1 hour.

Return to Top of Page.

 

 

Chimney Fires

 

 

Do you and your family know what to do in the event of a chimney fire?

 

As the days grow shorter and colder, many Canadians - especially those of us fortunate enough to live in rural Canada - fire up their wood stoves, fireplaces and wood-burning furnaces. Hopefully, we've all had our chimneys inspected and cleaned before the arrival of cold weather! Dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires, and chimney fires can damage or destroy homes - sometimes injuring or killing the occupants in the process. Tragically, the damage and deaths caused by chimney fires are preventable!

 

In 2002 - the most recent year for which statistics are available - heating equipment* caused 5301 fires in Canada resulting in property losses of $125 millions and 16 deaths! Residential fires accounted for 82% of the fire deaths in Canada that year!**

 

What causes chimney fires?

 

As the wood in your wood-fuelled appliance burns, it gives off by-products which are expelled up the chimney. As the by-products flow up into the relatively cooler chimney, some condensation occurs resulting in a residue that sticks to the inner walls of the chimney. This residue is called creosote and it is highly combustible! Although any amount of creosote can burn, it is when there is sufficient build-up to sustain a long, hot, destructive chimney fire that the home and its occupants are most at risk.

 

How can you prevent a chimney fire?

 

Chimney fires do not occur in clean, intact, properly installed chimneys. Having a WETT-certified chimney sweep clean and inspect your appliance and chimney at least once a year is highly recommended. More frequent cleaning may be required depending on the type of wood burned, the type of wood-burning appliance, the amount of use, and the types of fires burned. 

 

Burn seasoned wood only - dryness is more important than 'hardwood vs. softwood' considerations.

 

Smaller, hotter fires burn more completely and produce less smoke than larger, 'cooler' fires that burn for eight or ten hours. Be sure, however, not to exceed the safe operating temperature of your appliance. A stovetop or stovepipe thermometer can help you keep your wood-burning appliance within its safe operating temperature range.

 

Improper use of your appliance's dampers and air inlets - where provided -  may contribute to inefficient burning and the build-up of creosote. Please be sure to read all of the instructions that came with your appliance and review them from time to time. Stovepipe thermometers help monitor flue temperatures enabling you to adjust your burning practices to maximize efficiency and minimize creosote condensation.

 

Burn only the fuels recommended for your appliance. Never burn cardboard, wrapping paper, Christmas tree branches, and so on, as these materials can spark a chimney fire. Again, please read and periodically review the instructions that came with your appliance.

 

How can you tell if a chimney fire is occurring or has occurred?

 

Chimney fires usually - but not always - burn explosively! The first indication of a chimney fire is usually the noise. Many homeowners have reported hearing a low, rumbling sound that reminded them of a freight train or low-flying airplane. The noise may become a roaring sound that grows louder as the intensity of the fire increases. Flames, sparks, and dense, black smoke may be seen exiting the top of the chimney.

 

Not all chimney fires are noisy and dramatic. Sometimes slow-burning chimney fires occur when there is insufficient air or fuel, and such chimney fires may go unnoticed. Temperatures reached during these fires may still be high enough to cause significant damage to the chimney structure, and sometimes to nearby combustible parts of the house as well, thus endangering the home and its occupants.

 

Signs that a chimney fire has occurred may include 'puffy' creosote with rainbow-coloured streaks; warped metal of the damper, smoke chamber, connector pipe or factory-built chimney; discoloured and distorted rain cap; flakes and pieces of creosote on the roof or ground; roofing material damaged by hot creosote; cracked or collapsed flue tiles or tiles with large chunks missing; cracks in exterior masonry; and evidence of smoke escaping through mortar joints of masonry or tile liners.

 

What should you do if you realize a chimney fire is occurring?

 

Get everyone out of the house - including yourself.

 

Call the fire department. 

 

If you can do so without risk to yourself, the following steps may lessen damage to your home. Remember, however, that houses are replaceable - LIVES ARE NOT!

What should you do after a chimney fire has occurred?

 

Do not use the wood-burning appliance again until a professional has inspected it and the chimney!

 

The excessive heat generated during a chimney fire can crack chimney walls, damage chimney liners, and warp and damage factory-built metal chimneys. If not repaired, these damages create a greater possibility that a subsequent chimney fire will spread beyond the confines of the chimney flue to the house, thus endangering the occupants even more!

 

Contact your insurance company.

 

Need more information?

 

For further information regarding the installation and inspection of wood-burning appliances, contact Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. toll-free at 1-888-358-9388, or visit their website where you can search for the names and contact information of local WETT-certified inspectors and installers: www.wettinc.ca

 

Natural Resources Canada offers a lot of very useful information regarding safe and efficient wood heating. Check out "A Guide to Residential Wood Heating" on their website: www.canren.gc.ca

 

* Heating equipment includes all types - central heating, wood stoves, chimneys, flue pipes, radiant heating, etc.

** Statistics are from the "2002 Annual Report of Fire Losses in Canada" released by the Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners in March 2007.

 

Return to Top of Page.

 

 

Cold Weather Hazards and Injuries

 

 

 

 

Winter can be a wonderful time of year for those who choose to embrace it, but there are potential dangers associated with cold weather and we would all do well to remind ourselves of them. When the icy blasts of winter arrive, many people tend to stay indoors and adopt a more inactive lifestyle than perhaps they should. By 'hibernating,' we're exposing ourselves to greater risk because our hearts need regular exercise to remain healthy.

 

An Italian study in 2008 revealed a significant increase in heart attack admissions to hospital with the arrival of colder weather. Another study noted that a 10-degree drop in temperature increases the risk of a recurrent heart attack by 38%. Winter weather alone can constrict blood vessels, making the heart work harder, and the additional strain of strenuous activity - shovelling snow, for example - may trigger a heart attack. 

 

People with known heart problems or who are in poor physical shape and/or have a family history of heart disease should consult their doctor before engaging in strenuous activities.

 

Seasonal colds and the flu can also increase the burden on our hearts, as can stress associated with the holidays. If you are going to shovel snow or undertake some form of strenuous activity, avoid having a full stomach as it can cause further strain on the heart. Warm up your muscles with some basic stretches before beginning shovelling or other activities, and take a breather from time to time.

 

This article concerns itself principally with hazards and injuries associated with cold and wind chill, such as hypothermia, frostnip and frostbite. While it's relatively easy to avoid minor hazards such as cold-contact adhesion - the technical term for sticking your tongue on a metal pole in subzero weather - it is much less easy to avoid slips and falls that may lead to broken and fractured bones, sprains and strains. 

 

An article on "Snowmobile Safety" appears on this website's "Fire and Life Safety Topics" page.

 

The one activity that gives rise to most deaths associated with ice and snow, however, is travel in automobiles. It's estimated that about 70% of deaths having to do with winter conditions occur in automobiles. Slippery road conditions can lead to an increase in the number of collisions if drivers don't adjust their driving to the road and weather conditions. Sliding off the road and vehicle breakdowns can lead to automobile occupants being stranded in dangerously cold conditions. There are many good and easily accessible sources of information regarding safe driving during winter, and here are a few tips that will help keep you and your family safe:

 

 

 

Hypothermia

 

Hypothermia, often called 'exposure,' is the most serious cold-related injury. In its moderate to severe stages, it constitutes a medical emergency and may be life-threatening. The human body's normal core temperature is 37°C. (98.6°F.), and hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature of less than 35°C. Although more prevalent during autumn, winter, and early spring, it should be noted that hypothermia may occur at any time of year. Immersion in cool water for a prolonged period of time, even at the height of summer, may lead to cooling of the body core and hypothermia.

 

Figures from Statistics Canada and the National Centre for Health Statistics in the United States suggest that "around 140 Canadians and 800 Americans die each year as a result of hypothermia." Most of these deaths are classified as "urban hypothermia," with alcohol or drug intoxication as the dominant precipitating factor. It is also believed that hypothermia may be common among the elderly, especially those living in poorly heated homes. At least partly because of the difficulty of diagnosis, studies further suggest that "the unofficial number of hypothermia-related deaths" may be substantially higher, particularly among elderly people, with estimates as high as 25000 deaths each year in the United States and 8000 deaths in Canada.

 

Dress warmly when conditions dictate.

Our bodies are able to maintain a healthy body temperature under most conditions. When exposed to cold temperatures or to a cool, damp environment for a prolonged period, however, our bodies' resources and processes may be unable to maintain a normal temperature, and when our bodies lose more heat that they can generate, hypothermia may result.

 

Wet or inadequate clothing, falling into cold water, and even exposure to wind on a cool day can all increase the risk of hypothermia. Older adults, infants and young children, and people who are very lean all face greater risk, as do those whose judgment may impaired by mental illness or Alzheimer's Disease, those who are intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, homeless people, and those stranded in cold weather due to vehicle breakdown or accident. Other conditions that increase the risk of hypothermia include fatigue, malnutrition, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Tobacco use and certain medications may also reduce a person's resistance to cold. Teenagers are also prone to hypothermia because they often underdress for weather conditions. Parkas, toques, and other adequate clothing aren't considered 'cool.'

 

The signs and symptoms of hypothermia usually develop slowly, and victims typically experience a gradual loss of mental acuity and physical ability. People may be unaware that hypothermia is developing and that they need help and emergency medical treatment if hypothermia advances to the moderate and severe stages. People participating in group activities in cold or cool, windy and wet conditions should keep an eye on each other and be prepared to provide first aid if the onset of hypothermia is observed. People who are alone should be vigilant and take immediate action to prevent further heat loss if they experience the early signs and symptoms of hypothermia - such as beginning to shiver. Mental acuity may soon be lessened to the point where a person is unable to help him- or herself. 

 

All persons who spend time outdoors during cold weather - or even cool (less than 20°C.), windy and/or wet weather - should familiarize themselves with the early signs and symptoms of hypothermia as set out in the following table. Be aware that you will not be able to determine a casualty's core body temperature in the field. The temperatures are included to impress upon the reader that if the body core temperature drops more than 2 degrees, hypothermia is beginning.

 

Stages of Hypothermia

 

Stage

Core Body
Temperature

Signs and Symptoms

Mild Hypothermia

37.2-36.1ºC
(99 - 97ºF)

Normal shivering may begin.

36.1-35ºC
(97 - 95ºF)

Cold sensation, goose bumps, unable to perform complex tasks with hands, shivering can be mild to severe, hands numb.

Moderate Hypothermia *

35-33.9ºC
(95 - 93ºF)

Intense shivering, decreased muscle coordination becomes apparent, movements slow and laboured, stumbling pace, mild confusion, may appear alert. Use sobriety test, if unable to walk a 9 meter (30 foot) straight line, the person is hypothermic.

33.9-32.2ºC
(93 - 90ºF)

Violent shivering persists, difficulty speaking, sluggish thinking, amnesia starts to appear, gross muscle movements sluggish, unable to use hands, stumbles frequently, difficulty speaking, signs of depression, withdrawn.

Severe Hypothermia *

32.2-30ºC
(90 - 86ºF)

Shivering stops, exposed skin blue of puffy, muscle coordination very poor, inability to walk, confusion, incoherent/irrational behaviour, but may be able to maintain posture and appearance of awareness.

30-27.8ºC
(86 - 82ºF)

Muscle rigidity, semiconscious, stupor, loss of awareness of others, pulse and respiration rate decrease, possible heart fibrillation.

27.8-25.6ºC
(82 - 78ºF)

Unconscious, a heart beat and respiration erratic, a pulse may not be obvious.

25.6-23.9ºC
(78 - 75ºF)

Pulmonary edema, cardiac and respiratory failure, death. Death may occur before this temperature is reached.

* Moderate to Severe Hypothermia is a Medical Emergency.

 

Prevention of Hypothermia

 

Before heading outdoors during cold weather, there are simple, commonsensical steps you can take to help prevent hypothermia:

Additional steps to protect children from hypothermia include:

Alcohol consumption reduces your body's ability to maintain its proper temperature and should be avoided if you're going outside in cold weather.

 

If you plan to ride in a boat or other watercraft, be aware that any water that is colder than normal body temperature may cause hypothermia if you are immersed in it for a long enough period of time. The rate of body heat loss is up to 30 times faster in cold water than in cold air. The following tips may increase your survival time in cold water:

Illustration courtesy of the United States Coast Guard.

 

First Aid for Hypothermia

"The key to successful first aid for hypothermia is recognizing the casualty's condition as soon as possible, and preventing hypothermia from getting worse."*

Signs and symptoms of hypothermia are sometimes mistaken for other conditions such as drunkenness, stroke, and drug abuse. First aiders have no way of determining a casualty's body core temperature, but hypothermia should be suspected if the temperature is less than 15°C. and the victim has been outside for a while, the person is in one of the groups at increased risk for hypothermia, and/or the person is underdressed.

Measures to prevent further heat loss should be taken. These measures include:

Call 9-1-1 or for medical assistance. If you have to transport the casualty, do so without delay. Provide ongoing care as the casualty is transported in the recovery position to keep the airway open. If the casualty's breathing is ineffective, give assisted breathing. If you're unable to detect a pulse, perform CPR.

There are several cautions when providing first aid for hypothermia:

* St. John Ambulance Guide to First Aid.

Frostnip and Frostbite

Frostnip and frostbite are local, cold-induced injuries that most commonly affect body extremities such as fingers, toes, ears, cheeks, the nose, and the penis.

Frostnip occurs when only the top layer of skin freezes and appears white and waxy-looking. There is no sensation of pain associated with frostnip, and, if the skin is immediately warmed, for example by being covered by warm hands, the frostnip will disappear and there will be no damage to the skin. Frostnipped fingers may be warmed by breathing on them or by placing them in a warm area of the body such as the armpits, abdomen, or the groin area. Measures should be taken to prevent the refreezing of frostnipped areas either by getting out of the cold or by dressing more appropriately.

Frostbite occurs when underlying layers as well as the surface layer of the skin freeze, and, in instances of deep frostbite, tissues underneath the skin freeze too.

Volunteer studies carried out by the Department of National Defense in 2001 increased our understanding of how our bodies respond to wind chill and enabled researchers to provide more precise guidelines regarding risk level and the time it takes for exposed skin to freeze. It was found that there is a very clear threshold for the tolerance of human skin to cold as most of the volunteers - all healthy adults - did not develop frostnip for wind chill values between 0 and -27 during the 45-minute trials. Once the wind chill dropped below -27, however, the risk of frostnip and frostbite increased exponentially.

All of the volunteers developed frostnip within 10 minutes at a wind chill index of -40, and, at -55, all the volunteers developed frostnip in less than 2 minutes. The volunteers were removed from the refrigerated wind tunnel where the tests were conducted at the first sign of frostnip, but researchers estimated that frostbite will develop within 30 to 60 seconds after the first sign of frostnip. Check local weather reports for wind conditions before heading outside in winter, or, if a report isn't available, check the tables at the end of this article for the Wind Chill Chart (Index) and Wind Chill Hazards and Risk of Frostbite.

Homeless people and people whose judgment may be impaired by alcohol or psychiatric illness face a greater risk of severe frostbite. A review of 125 frostbite cases in Saskatchewan indicated that alcohol was a factor in 46% of cases and psychiatric illness in 17%. Other risk factors identified included  inadequate clothing, previous cold injury, fatigue, wound infection, arterial disease, and diabetes. Alcohol consumption and smoking affect the blood circulation in body extremities and may increase the severity of injury. It was also found that vehicular failure was a factor in 15% of the Saskatchewan cases.

To sum up, many of the risk factors involved in hypothermia also put people at risk of frostnip and frostbite.

Victims of frostbite may feel pain in the affected body part(s) at first, and then numbness. At first, the skin may appear white and waxy-looking, as is the case with frostnip, but, as deeper tissues begin to freeze, the skin turns greyish-blue. When frostbite is superficial, the skin is firm to the touch, but underlying tissues are soft. As frostbite progresses, however, the skin feels cold and hard to the touch and the victim will have no feeling in the area. Frostbite requires medical attention as soon as possible.

 

First Aid for Frostbite

 

Wind Chill Chart - Temperature (°C) and Wind Speed (km/h)

 

 

5°C

0°C

-5°C

-10°C

-15°C

-20°C

-25°C

-30°C

-35°C

-40°C

-45°C

5 km/h

4

-2

-7

-13

-19

-24

-30

-36

-41

-47

-53

10 km/h

3

-3

-9

-15

-21

-27

-33

-39

-45

-51

-57

15 km/h

2

-4

-11

-17

-23

-29

-35

-41

-48

-54

-60

20 km/h

1

-5

-12

-18

-24

-30

-37

-43

-49

-56

-62

25 km/h

1

-6

-12

-19

-25

-32

-38

-44

-51

-57

-64

30 km/h

0

-6

-13

-20

-26

-33

-39

-46

-52

-59

-65

35 km/h

0

-7

-14

-20

-27

-33

-40

-47

-53

-60

-66

40 km/h

-1

-7

-14

-21

-27

-34

-41

-48

-54

-61

-68

45 km/h

-1

-8

-15

-21

-28

-35

-42

-48

-55

-62

-69

50 km/h

-2

-8

-15

-22

-29

-35

-42

-49

-56

-63

-69

55 km/h

-2

-8

-15

-22

-29

-36

-43

-50

-57

-63

-70

60 km/h

-2

-9

-16

-23

-30

-36

-43

-50

-57

-64

-71

65 km/h

-2

-9

-16

-23

-30

-37

-44

-51

-58

-65

-72

70 km/h

-2

-9

-16

-23

-30

-37

-44

-51

-58

-65

-72

75 km/h

-3

-10

-17

-24

-31

-38

-45

-52

-59

-66

-73

80 km/h

-3

-10

-17

-24

-31

-38

-45

-52

-60

-67

-74

 

Wind Chill Hazards and Risk of Frostbite

 

Wind Chill

Risk of Frostbite

Health
Concern

What to do ...

0 to -9

Low

- Slight increase in discomfort

- Dress warmly, with the outside temperature in mind.

-10 to -27

Low

- Uncomfortable
- Risk of hypothermia if outside for long periods without adequate protection

- Dress in layers of warm clothing, with an outer layer that is wind-resistant.
- Wear a hat, mittens and scarf.
- Keep active.

-28 to -39

Increasing risk: exposed skin can freeze in 10 to 30 minutes

- Check face and extremities (fingers, toes, ears and nose) for numbness or whiteness
- Risk of hypothermia if outside for long periods without adequate protection

- Dress in layers of warm clothing, with an outer layer that is wind-resistant.
- Cover exposed skin: wear a hat, mittens and a scarf, neck tube or face mask.
- Keep active.

-40 to -47

High risk: exposed skin can freeze in 5 to 10 minutes*

- Check face and extremities (fingers, toes, ears and nose) for numbness or whiteness (frostbite)
- Risk of hypothermia if outside for long periods without adequate protection

- Dress in layers of warm clothing, with an outer layer that is wind-resistant.
- Cover all exposed skin: wear a hat, mittens and a scarf, neck tube or face mask.
- Keep active.

WARNING LEVEL**
-48 to -54

High risk: exposed skin can freeze in 2 to 5 minutes*

- Check face and extremities frequently for numbness or whiteness (frostbite)
- Serious risk of hypothermia if outside for long periods

- Be careful. Dress very warmly in layers of clothing, with an outer layer that is wind-resistant.
- Cover all exposed skin: wear a hat, mittens and a scarf, neck tube or face mask.
- Be ready to cut short or cancel outdoor activities.
- Keep active.

-55 and colder

High risk: exposed skin can freeze in less than 2 minutes

DANGER!
- Outdoor conditions are hazardous

- Stay indoors.

* In sustained winds over 50 km/h, frostbite can occur faster than indicated.
** In parts of the country with a milder climate (such as southern Ontario and the Atlantic provinces except Labrador), a wind chill warning is issued at about -35. Further north, people have grown more accustomed to the cold, and have adapted to the more severe conditions. Because of this, Environment Canada issues warnings at progressively colder wind chill values as you move north. Most of Canada hears a warning at about -45. Residents of the Arctic, northern Manitoba and northern Quebec are warned at about -50, and those of the high Arctic, at about -55.

 

Please don't forget that our furry friends can suffer the same sorts of cold-related injuries as us!

Contact your veterinarian if you have any questions regarding care for your pet during cold weather.

 

Return to Top of Page.

 

 

If disaster strikes your community, are you and your family prepared?

 

If a disaster occurs in your community, emergency workers will mobilize and help those in desperate need first. It may take some time for them to get to you if you are in less dire circumstances.

 

You have primary responsibility for preparations to take care of yourself and your loved ones. Public Safety Canada recommends that you be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.

 

By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies - anytime, anywhere. A guide is available to help you identify the risks specific to your region, to help you and your family develop an emergency plan, and to help you assemble a basic emergency kit so that you are prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

 

   

 

Copies of Your Emergency Preparedness Guide may be available at the St. Clements Municipal Office at 1043 Kittson Road in East Selkirk. The guide is available in PDF Format at GetPrepared.ca. The guide is also available in other formats (audio, Braille, large print and diskette) from Public Safety Canada. To order, please call:

 

1 800 O-Canada  (1 800 622-6232)  or  TTY: 1 800 926-9105

 

A wealth of useful information regarding hazards from floods and power outages to tornadoes and wildfires may also be found at SafeCanada.ca.

 

Is your family prepared?

 

Return to Top of Page.

 

 

Fire Safety at Home

 

House Fire

Too many Canadians believe that a house fire will never happen to them.

Canada, however, continues to have one of the poorest fire death records among industrialized nations.

Why?

A recent National Fire Protection Association survey indicated that the vast majority of adults felt relatively confident about fire safety in their homes, and yet statistics reveal that home is where the risk of fire is greatest. In its recently published 2002 Annual Report on Fire Losses in Canada*, the Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners reported that of the 304 fire deaths in Canada that year, a staggering 82% (250 deaths) occurred in residential fires!

The unavoidable conclusion is that many adults have an unrealistic feeling of confidence about fire safety in their own homes and may lack critical knowledge of the safest response to a fire.

While it is important that all age groups have access to Fire and Life Safety Education, it is vitally important that adults learn fire safe behaviours in order to protect themselves and their families from the devastation of a house fire, and to provide instruction and positive role modelling for their children. 

 

It is the adults in a home, after all, who make most of the critical decisions regarding the installation, testing, and maintenance of smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, safe cooking practices, safe storage and disposal of flammable and dangerous materials, safe use of electricity, proper maintenance of heating and other equipment, and who develop and have their family practise their home escape plan.

 

Preventive fire safety education has the greatest potential for stopping fires before they start.

 

Fire and Life Safety Education works! It works by promoting behavioural and attitudinal changes in people. 

 

Most fires and injuries are preventable! Offering educational programs to the public about how to prevent fires from starting in the first place, and how to survive a fire should one break out, is a responsibility your fire department takes very seriously. 

 

Residents, working together with their fire department, are our best chance to prevent loss of life and property due to fire.

 

If your group or organization would like more information regarding Fire and Life Safety Education programs offered by your fire department, please visit our Contact Us page and get in touch!

 

Another excellent source for Fire and Life Safety information is the Safe Canada website developed by Public Safety Canada. The site offers comprehensive information on a wide variety of safety topics. Their website may be accessed via our Links page.

 

 

While our website cannot possibly cover all aspects of Fire and Life Safety, we ask visitors to please carefully consider the following points regarding smoke alarms and home escape plans...

 

Most fatal home fires happen at night when people are sleeping

The smell of smoke may not wake a sleeping person

Smoke and poisonous gases can numb the senses and induce deeper sleep

Smoke alarms provide early warning of fire and time to escape safely

Working smoke alarms in your home reduce your risk of dying in a fire by half

Survival chances are best with smoke alarms and a practised home escape plan

 

Test your smoke alarms monthly

Change the batteries twice a year

Replace the smoke alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions

 

* To visit the Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners website and view the report, please see our Links page.

 

Return to Top of Page.

 

 

Heat Disorders

 

 

Unfortunately, the lazy, hazy days of summer are increasingly accompanied by heat waves that are resulting in increasing numbers of heat-related illnesses - some of which are life-threatening!

 

Do you know these Heat Disorder Signs and Symptoms?

 

HEAT DISORDER SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS FIRST AID
SUNBURN Redness and pain. In severe cases: swelling of skin, blisters, fever, and headaches. Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry, sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by a physician.
HEAT CRAMPS Mild muscle contractions that can become severe, usually in legs and abdomen, but can be in other parts of the body. Body temperature normal in most cases. Moist skin. Give the person fluids to drink: cool water, or preferably juices or sport drinks. Gently stretch and massage the cramped muscles. Have the person rest in a cool place.
HEAT EXHAUSTION Normal or slightly raised body temperature. Moist skin that is redder or paler than normal. Dizziness and weakness - exhaustion. Fainting and nausea. Call 9-1-1 if person is vomiting or losing consciousness. Have the person rest in a cool place and loosen any tight clothing. If you are fanning the person, remove any clothing that is soaked with sweat. Put cool water on skin. If the person is conscious, provide sips of cool water.
HEAT STROKE High body temperature - often as high as 41°C. (106°F.). Red, hot, dry skin - especially in the elderly. Irritable, bizarre, or aggressive behavior. Progressive loss of consciousness. Rapid, weak pulse becoming irregular. Rapid, shallow breathing. Seizures. HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL. Move the person to a cool place. Cool the person's body any way you can. Sponge the entire body with tepid or cool water; fan the person; or put covered ice packs in the groin, in each armpit, and on the back of the neck to cool large blood vessels. Do not give fluids. Provide continual care until EMS personnel arrive.

 

Heat-related emergencies will get worse without treatment and can change from one level to another very quickly! Elderly persons, small children, chronic invalids, people on certain medications or drugs, and persons with weight and alcohol problems are particularly susceptible to heat reactions.

 

Heat Wave Safety Tips:

 

Slow down: Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest times of day. Take frequent breaks in a cool or shaded area to let your body cool off. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place.

Dress for summer: Lightweight, light-coloured clothing reflects heat and sunlight and helps your body maintain normal temperatures. Cotton clothing absorbs sweat and lets air circulate and heat escape. Wear a hat when you're in the sun.

Drink plenty of cool fluids: Drinking plenty of water and other cool fluids is the most important action you can take to prevent heat-related emergencies. Avoid caffeine and alcohol because they can cause dehydration, which stops your body from controlling its temperature properly.

 

Grand Beach Provincial Park

Grand Beach in Summer

 

Return to Top of Page.

 

 

Outdoor Fires

 

 

Each spring, often preventable outdoor fires cost rural Manitobans substantial amounts of money which could be better spent on other priorities.

 

Preliminary loss figures* for April and May of 2007 alone indicate 497 outdoor fires resulting in $1,720,840 in property losses in rural Manitoba**. Of these fires, 54 spread to other property and caused damage. The cost to taxpayers for fire department response to these fires must also be added to the above figure.

 

Outdoor fires are not only costly to put out, many are also illegal. A burning permit must be obtained from a Manitoba Conservation Office if you intend to start an outdoor fire in our area between April 1st and November 15th, or "any other period of time that may be designated."

 

Outdoor fires requiring a permit include those started to clear land, burn debris, crop residue and stubble.

 

Noncompliance with the permit requirement may upon summary conviction result in a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment for up to one year, or both! Additionally, a court may order a convicted person to reimburse the province or municipality for the costs incurred in firefighting efforts. Convicted persons may also face civil action brought by other persons for damages to their properties.

 

Thankfully, human fatalities due to outdoor fires are rare in Manitoba, although they have occurred in the past. Please remember that smoke from outdoor fires may cause complications for people with respiratory problems, and smoke may also reduce visibility on our roadways and contribute to accidents.

 

If you are aware of a situation where smoke from an outdoor fire is creating hazardous conditions, please report it to the RCMP or your municipal police.

 

For more information about outdoor fires and the permits required, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

 

* Our thanks to Louise Hornbeck, Manager Statistical Section (now retired), Office of the Fire Commissioner for the loss figures.

** Areas outside the urban centers of Winnipeg, Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Dauphin, Flin Flon, Selkirk, Steinbach, Thompson, and Winkler.

 

Return to Top of Page.

 

 

Snowmobile Safety

 

 

Snowmobiling is an immensely popular winter activity. There are currently over 700,000 snowmobiles registered in Canada, and over 161,000 kilometres of snowmobile trails - enough to go around the world four times at the equator!

 

Sadly, preventable accidents result in injuries and loss of life every year.

 

Don't drink and drive! Alcohol is involved in 70% of snowmobile fatalities!

 

Snowmobilers are encouraged to follow common sense safety tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable snowmobiling season:

 

Before setting out, always inform others of your destination and estimated arrival time. Always inspect your snowmobile for mechanical integrity. Always wear suitable clothing to prevent hypothermia, and remember that children are particularly susceptible to cold. Always carry first aid and survival kits.

 

Once underway, always ride within your capabilities. Use snowmobile trails whenever and wherever practical. Stay to the right side of the trail. Reduce speed in unfamiliar territory. Exercise caution when crossing roadways and railway tracks.

 

Slow down at night. Your headlight limits how far ahead you can see. Avoid travelling along road shoulders where lights from snowmobiles or vehicles can cause confusion.

 

Be aware of ice conditions if travelling over lakes and rivers. If in doubt, check with local authorities. Wear flotation-type clothing, and know what to do should you break through ice.

 

Never ride on railway tracks; never ride alone; and never leave children unsupervised.

 

Please treat the outdoors with respect and be considerate of wildlife!

 

Safety is everyone's responsibility!

 

More information, including safety tips and trail condition information, is available on the website of Snoman Inc. at www.snoman.mb.ca

 

Return to Top of Page.

 

 

Water Safety

 

 

In addition to the personal and family tragedies represented by the numbers above, it is estimated that water-related injuries cost our society 500 million dollars per year!

 

A survey of all unintentional water-related deaths during the 10-year period was undertaken by the Canadian Red Cross in the hope that those many Canadians did not die in vain. Analysis of the data may help our society better identify risk factors and trends, and lead to the development of safety programs that may further reduce the number of water-related deaths and near drownings. As one would expect, the survey contained a great many statistics, and some of the significant numbers are summarized towards the bottom of this article. Links to the Canadian Red Cross, the Lifesaving Society - Manitoba Branch, and Transport Canada websites may be found at the end of this article.

 

Water-Related Activities can be great fun and exercise when undertaken Safely!

As a society with the aim of reducing water-related deaths and injuries, we should perhaps especially pay attention to the recommendations found in the study dealing with prevention. The Canadian Red Cross believes that the implementation of appropriate regulations, enforcement and education targeting five key risk factors could "eliminate about 85% of drownings and other water-related injury deaths and save over 400 million dollars per year..."

 

An overarching issue in prevention is "the individual's and family's perception of risk for different activities. The actual risk of water-related injury and death per exposure to water tends to be much higher than the public perception. Thus while the risk of death or severe injury from a motor vehicle crash is quite low per trip, nearly all drivers and passengers in Canada now wear seatbelts and avoid alcohol. On the other hand, people often load their boats with alcohol and forget to bring or wear their flotation devices, drink before swimming and diving, swim or wade in strong current, install home swimming pools without an automatic safety gate, dive into home pools, and so forth. The lesson for those who train and educate the public is that a first priority must be to discuss risk perception. Only then can misperceptions be corrected so that each individual has a realistic appreciation of the risk of injury for different activities..."

 

14 May 2009 was the designated National Lifejacket Day in Canada, but smart boaters make every day a Lifejacket Day!

The five key risk factors identified by the Canadian Red Cross are:

 

Boating - Legislation and enforcement ensuring the wearing of appropriate lifejackets or PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) by all boaters, especially adult males,"could eliminate up to 90% of all boating drownings and up to 35% of all drownings in Canada, saving up to 160 lives per year."

 

Swimming Pools - Legislation requiring that every pool sold in Canada be equipped with an automatic self-closing and self-latching gate, and that existing pool owners be required to install such a gate, along with pool safety inspections by insurance companies, "could eliminate nearly all pool drownings of toddlers, prevent about 10% of all drownings in Canada, and could save about 50 lives of 1-4-year-old children per year." The overview noted that the development and enforcement of pool safety standards could also prevent many diving injuries.

 

Alcohol - "Legislation and enforcement together with training and education to limit alcohol consumption in, on, or around water could prevent about 30% of all drownings in Canada and save about 150 lives per year. Such measures would also avert up to 25 deaths per year from other water-related injuries such as boating collisions." 

 

It should be noted that under Manitoba's Liquor Control Act "no person shall consume liquor on a boat." The only exceptions have to do with moored houseboats occupied as private dwellings and boats licensed to serve liquor such as river cruise ships.

 

Snowmobiling - The lives of about 20 snowmobilers per year, representing about 4% of all drownings, might be saved if snowmobilers traveling over water were encouraged to wear a flotation-hypothermia suit with attached ice-picks. The Canadian Red Cross also recommends that manufacturers be lobbied to fit snowmobiles with "a luminous flotation device with attached ice picks that would automatically pop out into water and be visible in the dark to help a snowmobiler escape from the hole in the ice even if the machine sinks."

 

River Current - Training in how to manage hazards of current during swimming, wading, boating, and unexpected falls into water could avert "about 30% of drownings per year, saving 130 lives." The overview notes that such training would need to include "practice in how to safely manoeuvre in current and how to use the power of current for self-rescue" and that associated education "should include the theory of current and the types of scenarios to be expected."

 

The Numbers

 

Drowning accounted for 94% of deaths due to water-related injuries. By far the largest single activity resulting in drowning during the 10-year period was boating (1803 deaths), followed by aquatic activities such as swimming (1183 deaths), falls into water during non-aquatic activities such as walking or playing near water or on ice (1091 deaths), and bathing in a bathtub (389 deaths), plus another 205 drownings where the activity was undetermined. Drownings following land or air transport accidents accounted for 864 deaths and are usually considered separately from other incidents.

 

Of the other 6% of deaths, boating was once again the activity most frequently associated with non-drowning immersion deaths, with the majority resulting from collisions and immersion hypothermia. Scuba diving and diving head first into water were the most frequent aquatic activities associated with non-drowning deaths, while most snowmobile immersion deaths resulted from hypothermia. The survey noted that "deaths from falls into water from boats or land as well as deaths involving road vehicles and aircraft tended to result from head injury, with drowning as a secondary factor due to loss of consciousness." The survey went on to point out that head injuries were reported in 63% of collisions and in 60% of falls from boats.

 

During the 10-year period, there was a reduction in the number of drownings with the overall rate falling from 1.8 to 1.4 deaths per 100,000 population per year, an improvement of 22% and the equivalent of 100 fewer deaths per year. The most striking improvement was seen for toddlers (1-4-year-olds).

 

For Canadians 15 years and older, alcohol was associated with 40% of drownings, however, as the survey pointed out, since the presence of alcohol was unknown for another 25%, the true figure could be as high as 65%!

 

The overview also noted that the absence of adult supervision is a factor in most child drownings, as only 10% of infants and toddlers drowned in the presence of an adult. Lack of adult supervision was also associated with most drownings involving 5-14-year-olds.

 

Recreational boating (i.e., fishing, powerboating, and canoeing) accounted for 76% of boating incidents, and the most common risk factor during the entire 1990s was not wearing a flotation device! The survey pointed out that during 1991-1995 only 12% of victims were reported to be properly wearing a floatation device, and during 1996-2000, only 11%!

 

The Red Cross survey noted that there was a "significant improvement in swimming and playing or wading drownings between 1991-1995 and 1996-2000" as "most male age groups showed a reduction of about 25-30%, although in the highest risk group of 15-24-year-olds the decrease was only 14%." There was no improvement in the statistics for less frequent activities such as scuba diving, but it was noted that there was a 73% increase in drownings associated with hot tubs. Alcohol played a role in at least 44% of swimming drownings, and the overview stated that in most cases the blood alcohol level was very high!

 

Further Information

 

Much of the information in this article was gleaned from the survey, "Drownings and Other Water-Related Injuries in Canada, 1991-2000; Module 1: Overview" © The Canadian Red Cross Society, 2006. Further information regarding their drowning research, as well as safety tips and information related to water activities, may be found on the Canadian Red Cross website at:

 

http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000881&tid=024

 

Information about swimming and water safety may also be found on the website of the Lifesaving Society - Manitoba Branch at:

 

http://www.lifesaving.mb.ca/Default.asp

 

Transport Canada's "Safe Boating Guide" and its requirements regarding lifejackets and PFDs aboard boats may be found at:

 

http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/tp/tp511/menu.htm

 

 

Return to Top of Page.