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A few minutes checking your home for fire hazards, and getting rid of them, could save your fami- ly's lives. Fire hazards in the form of clut- ter and flammable materials such as paint thinner can accumulate in the cleanest of homes, and can be lethal. Electrical wiring can wear out and become dangerous, heating equipment --- particularly wood stoves -- requires regular safety checks. Fire officials at the Ministry of the Solicitor General recommend regular checks of your home for fire hazards. Start in the kitchen -- kitchen fires are the most frequent type of home fires. Can window cur- tains graze your stove stop, toaster or other hot surface? Is the stove and the hood above it collecting grease? Do you store paper products close to the stove? Do you keep a pan of fat on the back burner? Don't -- if you turn on the wrong burner by mistake, you could have a bad fire. The kitchen is an excellent place to keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher; Be sure it's bracketed to the wall at an exit, and make sure everyone in the family knows how to use it. Read the label, it tells you everything you need to know. - Faulty wiring and electrical equipment are the second major cause of fatal home fires. Frayed or damaged electrical cords, ex- tension cords used as permanent wiring or draped over nails or hid- den under the rug, damaged or spliced appliance cords, bare wires, appliance plugs that heat up -- these are examples of fires waiting to happen. If you regularly use "octopus plugs" (sockets which multiply the use of one socket), or exten- sion cords; or if you frequently blow fuses, or the lights dim when the fridge kicks in, your household wiring may be overloaded. It's time to have it checked and upgraded by a qualified electrician. The cost is minor compared to the damage a fire can cause. Check the basement (par- ticularly around the furnace) for clutter and flammables such as floor wax, paint thinner, tins of varnish and so forth. Do not store combustibles under the stairs. Be 'especially vigilant about oily rags, which can ignite by themselves and start a fire. Have the furnace serviced regularly by an expert, and keep the air filter clean. If you have a woodstove or fireplace, make sure the chimney is cleaned frequently -- at least once a year. Creosote -- the gum- my, tar-like material that builds up in chimneys --- can be set on fire by heat. Make sure that all the doors are free from obstructions, and that the windows open easily. If you need to escape during a fire, that isn't the time to unstick the win- dow you painted shut last sum- mer. Children must be taught that it is OK to smash a window or screen with a suitable object if the window is stuck. to promote fire safety PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, October 12, 1988 -- 15 Fire Prevention tips may save lives During your inspection tour, check the smoke alarms -- make sure they are free of dust, and test them by holding a lighted incense stick or a bit of smoldering string under them. Invite your children to join you as you check for fire hazards, and take some time to make sure they understand what to do in case of a fire. - Regular fire inspections don't take long, but if a fire kills you, you're dead for a long time. for the kick-off for Fire Prevention Week. In photo are IF YOUR RD WARS HERE OVER 16,000 people could have read It this weekl That's a lot of potential customers for your business. For Advertising Made Easy call the STAR - 985-7383 CHILDREN'S Hallowe'en Theatre Workshop PORT PERRY " A y UNITED CHURCH SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29th 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM AGES 8 to 12 -- For more information Call: ZAKEANA ... 985-2123 REACH INDUSTRIAL PARK, REGIONAL ROAD 8, PORT PERRY 2 km. west of Lilla Street HOURS: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM . MONDAY to SATURDAY 985-4416 JUST OPENED Equipment Rental © 'RENTALS - SALES - SERVICE' "Over 2(C Years Experience in the Rental Business" Equipment & Power Tools for the Contractor & Homeowner All ** NEW ** BRAND NAME EQUIPMENT Honda -- Mikasa -- 8tihl -- Makita -- Kango & More Delivery & Pickup Available -- Convenient Hours 6 Days a Week WE ALSO OFFER SMALL ENGINE & EQUIPMENT REPAIRS Jumping Jacks Log Splitters Mitre Saws Plate Tampers Post Hole Augers Power Tools Pressure Washers Ramset Guns and Supplies Scaffolding Stucco Sprayer Tile Cutters Wall Paper Steamers Wheel Barrows Welders Appliance Carts Builders' Levels (auto) Chain Saws Concrete Saws Carpet Cleaners Concrete Drills Zo) Concrete Floor Finishers Equipment & Demolition Hammers Rental Drain Augers : Engine Hoists Floor Sanders erators Coes 985-4416 Interlocking Stone Cutters firefighters Dan Pottery and John Brunner with their sons J.J. and Chris. Orga- nizers had been hoping that more people would turn out for the Open House to get some important tips on how to prevent fires around the home, and the prop- er steps to take If fire breaks out. For those people who missed the Open House, here are a few helpful suggestions from the Ontario Fire Marshall, sug- gestions that just might prevent fire or help save the life of somebody you love. WORKING OVERTIME for 4 TERRY SOUCH AND " WE ARE NOW READY TO SHOW OFF OUR 723-0661 1120 DUNDAS ST. E., WHITBY MERCURY LINCOLN MERKUR