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10 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, October 4, 1978 Section Two Basementî hazards The basement is the primar workshop and storage area for most houses. In addition, the basement normally houses the funace and in some instances fuel for the furnace providing the furnace operates on ol, coal, or wood. The basement may also contain a play or recreation room witb fireplace, plus a bedmoom, a study and-or a sewing room. Workshop. If your basement con- tains a workshop, then this is the first place you should inspect ln your scarch for possible fire hazards. 1. Clean up any sawdust, wood shavîngs, or fine dust accumu- lations on or around the womk- bench (whicb itself may bc wood and oil-soaked). Sometimes care- less smoking or a spark fomn electrical equipment can faîl into thîs fuel, causing a slow smold- eringfire which may not blaze up until you've left thearea. 2. Do not allow large amounts of wood or other combustibles to accwnulate in the wnrkshop. Store any lumber in flat stacks; in the leanîng position. it will burn much more readily. 3. Locate safe ashtmays with flip-trap tops about the womk area. 4. Locate a few signs about the work area as reminders neyer to smoke when using flammable liquids. 5. Examine electrical equip- ment. Replace power cords or extension cords that are dry, cracked, or have worn spots in the insulation. Fires start from flasbing, sparking short-circuits in wiring. 6. An unguarded pendent bulb is dangerous. If it gets smashed while burning, its hot filament can drop into combustibles, may- be to start a slow smoldeming fire. Keep bulbs out of contact with combustibles, and keep the wire guard on your extension liglit. 7. Check your fuse boxes. En- sure that ail fuses are of the correct rating. Neyer bridge a fuse or replace it witb a penny or with a fuse of iglier rating that' was intended for the circuit. A 30 amp fuse does not protect a cir- cuit designcd for 15 amps. Circuit breakers do the same protective jobs as fuses. However, instead of blowing, the circuit breaker trips, that is, a switchopens to cut off power. And instead of having to replace the breaker to put it back in service, you press a button which closes the circuit. If after closing, the circuit breaker opens again, there is a trouble condition on the circuit that needs correct- ing. To, keep the reset of your circuit breakers operational, operate the button several times twice a year to prevent bînding. 8. Store flamm(nable iquîds i approved typaecotaiersùiieye in glass. Store the coýntaàiners in a closed metal cabinet, or in met al racks of shelves. Handie flam- mable liquids with came. Neyer bring gasoline into the house.-Use ol-base paints, varnishes, lac- quers, thinners, shcilac, aicohol, and-paint removers in smali quantities in wcll vcntilated areas. 9. Neyer allow wipe clotbs sat- uratcd with paint, oil or cleaning solvent to accumulate. Spread cloth out to dry in a well venti- lated aea or store cloths in a metal container witb a secure fitting lid. Neyer attempt to dry this type of cloth in a clothes dryer. 10. Do not allow your basement to become a catch-aIl. Evaluate the contents in your basement and then either throw away or give to charity those things you don't need. Garage sales provide an excellent means to dispose of those articles for wbicb you may no longer have need, but may stili be of significant value to someone else. 11. Have your heating system serviced before the beginning of each heating seasnn. AIl moving parts should be checked forý cm is an ignition source as well and should be kept in good oper- ating condition. Kecp in mind that the fire in the funace and the pilot flame in thc water heater can be ignition sources for vapors from flammable liquids that you migbt spili. 13. If you beat with oui, paint tbe oiù tank and its legs witb ust retardîng paint at least every f ive years. 14. If you heat witb wood br coal, hot ashes are a hazard.* Keep ashes in metal containers with tight fitting lids and keep con- tainers away fom combustible materials., 15. If you heat witb gas, bave à serviceman familiamize you with its unusual odoum. Keep the gas company's phone-number bandy. If at any time you smell stmong odour of gas and you find it lsn't simpîy that a pilot nas gone out, get your family out of the bouse, open the windows, and eall the gas company. They'll treat it as an emerg ency. 16. Keep the washer or dryer in good condition. Does the wiring insulation show dterioration? Are moving parts functioning properly; do gears and bearings sound OK?' Is the automatic timer switch functioning proper- ly? Are manufacturers' recom- mended lubricating schedules being followed? Does anything need lubrication? Examine the wall of the exhaust tube from the dryer for holes a nd keep the tube securely fastened to the wall vent. The dryer should have its own 240-volt circuit, protected by fuse or circuit breaker. Discon- nect the dryer and dlean under and around unit at least once a year. Remove back and thor- oughly clean ail lint which may have accumulated around work- ing parts of dryer. 17. Left on irons can cause fires. A metal ironmng board equipped with a fire resistent top is well worth the cost. Playroom. If your basement bas a finished playroom, then the odds are that it gets quite a bit of use. 1. Ensure that ail electronic equipment, television sets, rad- ios, etc., are provided with ade- quate ventilation. 2. Ensure that ashtrays are pro- minently displayed. 3. Basements can sometimes be a bit cool. If a portable heater is used, ensure it is located in an area where it will not be ac- cidentally knocked over. Neyer leave a portable heater pointed at decorative wall panelling or other combustible like material. Switch these heaters off if the room is to bc lef t empty for ex- tended periods of time. Do flot use inflammable fluids in the vicinity of an energized portable heater. 4. Is your basement equippel with a fireplace or franklin type stove? If you have a fireplace, a fireplace screen is a must. Make sure that screen is closed if fire is to be lef t unattended or if certain types of wood are being burnt (cedar, spruce, fir, etc.). Frank- lin type stoves provide 360 degree heat radiation. Ensure that al combustible materials, including fuel, are kept a safe distance from the stove. If at ail possible, neyer leave a lit stove or fire- place unattended. Protection for the basement. In addition to smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, here are a few tips wich might just provide you with those few extra seconds you may need to save both your if e and that of your family's. 1. The old fire pail is still a good idea for protection against fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper, and it's in- expensive. Keep two or three galvanized or plastic two-gallon pa-ils fulI of watler, covered, and -.71 a eplceaýte bottom of 2. A garden hose is even better. Run (or bave run) copper tubing from a cold water line in the base- ment to the top of the basement stairs or other location. Attach a, spigot and instaîl a 50-foot coil of hose racked and ready for action. Wth this you cari protect both the basement and a good part of the first floor. More than one spigot and hose may be needed in a large or two-storey house. You may want to run tubing up within an inside aIl to a closet on the second floor, or provîde a recess between studs in the wall of a bedroom or hall where you set in another "brise station". 3. The automatic sprinkler sy- stem is what industry relies on for basic protection. You might want to put in your own sprinkler systemn; not with hundreds of sprinklers as in an industrial plant, but one or two, maybe tbree, to protcct your basement. Pemhaps you cani have tbem put in using existing piping. Even if the piping is hidden above a plaster ceiling, if you know whcre the piping is located, then maybe you cari knock out some of the plaster and instail the sprinklem. pecially the worksbop from the rest of the bouse. Witb the door closcd, the spread of f ire and smoke may be slowed down enougb to give you that cdge. Practice prevention and make it a daily routine. Fire related tragedies can be avoided when you are alerted ta the possible hazards. In the home: Keep stoves and fumaces in good working order. Check electrical -wiring regularly. A. H. STURIOCK w &SONS LTD- S O STURROCK RD. BOWMANVILLE PHONE 623-5516 BROCK'S SERVICE CENTRÉ LTD- 20 KING ST. E. BOWMANVILLE PHON E 623-S487 10 WMAN VI LLE AUDIO-VISION LTD. 20 KING ST. W. COWAN 623-2312 ARENDS ELECTRIC MOTORS 5 BERNARD ST. BOWMANVILLE PHON E 623-3058 BO WMAN VILLE CLEANERS LTD. 84 KING ST. W. 623-5520 FREE PICK-UP AND DELIVERY, PONTIAC-BUICK LTD. 166 KING ST. E. 623-3396 10 WMAN VILLE TRAVEL CENTRE 47 KING ST. W. F. A. KRAMP é23-3182 FURNITURE LTD. 37 KING ST. E. 623-7071 KEN'S MEN'S WEAR 35 TEMPERANCE ST. N. 623-5580 BRULS GLASS & MIRRORS 7 DIVISION ST. S. .BOWMANVILLE 623-5187 Do flot smoke in bed. Outside: Keep storage areas free from clutter.. gasoline and other "flamables" properly contained and handled with caution. Remember: Prevention is Protection. Avoid the grave consequences. CANADIAN TIRE 160 CHURCH ST. 623-2518 BOWMANVILLE CARTER'S BAKERY 21 KING ST. E BOWMANVILLE PHONE 623-5855 McGR EGOR 'HARDWARE 95 KING ST. W. BOWMANVILLE PHON E 623-2542 DOMINION STORE LTD. KING ST. E. BOWMAN VILLE ffi OEMWRTOETOWTO F TEHOUSINME PIRE PR! VEIOIONWEK OT81 FLYIMO DUTCHMAN LIBERTY ST. S. AT 401 623-3373 PRESTON TRANSPORT LTD, 420 BASELINE RD. W. 8OWMANVILLE PHONE 623-4433 RICE BOWL RESTAURANT 50 KING ST. E. BOWMANVILLE PHONE 623-3703 KING ST. E. OCT.8-14