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"By following the precauâ€" tions outlined below, you can help prevent fires and breakâ€" ins from occurring," says Hind. "Furthermore, you will be prepared if a fire or burâ€" glary should occur." First Alert‘s home safety tips were developed to help lower the alarming number of residential breakâ€"ins and fires that occur each year. In 1992, for example, Canadian insurâ€" ance companies paid $1.9 bilâ€" lion in personal claims related to fire, theft and safety. According to the Canadian Insurance Bureau, the value and frequency of these claims is steadily rising each year. "‘Most of these tips are comâ€" mon sense," says Jim Hind, general manager of BRK Brands Canada, makers of First Alert products, "but many people forget them. Spring is a good time to change smoke alarm batteries, update your fire safety plan and check for potential hazards around the home." e typical home can be a hazardous place, but k. __simple precautions could save you and your famiâ€" ly from harm, says First Alert, a leading supplier of home safety and security products. For this reason, the company has developed a list of precauâ€" tions that can help make your home a safer place. Safeguard Fire safety Keep matches and other dangerous items out of the Don‘t overload electrical circuits. The number one cause of residential fires of mechaniâ€" cal and electrical failure or malfunction. Don‘t plug too many appliances into the same outlet, and replace cords made specifically for that appliance by the manufacturer. Flexible cords must not to be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. Check your fuses. Make sure the proper fuses are used, and never replace fused with pennies, washers or metal foil. Fuses are the safety valves in your electrical circuits, preâ€" venting wires from overheatâ€" ing and thus possibly causing fire. Show them the respect they deserve. Create an escape plan and practise a fire drill. Make sure everyone knows what they are supposed to do in the event of fire. Ensure that there are two exits in your plan. Check your fire extinguishâ€" ers. Follow the manufacturer‘s instructions to make sure the pressure is still adequate and that the extinguishers are propâ€" erly located. Change your smoke alarm battery. The alarm won‘t work if the batteries are missing or dead. Don‘t use rechargeable batteries because they might not trigger the lowâ€"battery warning alarm. Grand Opening Model Home Tour our MODEL HOME and discover the perfect blend of traditional values and modern conveniences. Set in the rolling countryside of Erin, on picturesque lots of up to 1 acre, these Victorian estate homes are designed to fulfil your country lifestyle dreams. A But remember, with a limited number of these exceptional homes available, the elegance is timeless. . . the opportunity is not. Survey you house from the outside to make sure that locks work, basement windows aren‘t left open and there is adequate lighting around outâ€" side entrances. Learn how to give your house that livedâ€"in look when on Christmas vacaâ€" tion. Keep your valuables hidâ€" den. Consider buying a fire resistant safe for your home for keeping jewelry, important papers and other valuables out of reach of fire or theft. Never leave cooking unatâ€" tended. Each year more than 10,000 fires in Canada start in kitchens. Use your common sense in the kitchen: heat oil slowly, keep appliances clean, turn pot handles in while cookâ€" ing, keep flammable objects clear of the stove and never put water on a cooking fire. Keep an extinguisher close by, or smother the fire with a pot lid. Home security Make a complete inventory list of your possessions â€" including serial numbers â€" and mark valuable items with an engraving or marking kit. At least oneâ€"fifth of items stolen from households are recovered by the police. Store flammable materials properly and never use near open flame or sparks. Keep oily rags in a metal container to prevent dangerous combusâ€" tion. reach of children. Prices and specificdtior}s__sl.xlziec_t tmgeâ€"wighout notice. EO.E "Technology for burners and simulated logs is evolving remarkably fast," VanderPlaat notes, "but the fireplace‘s The modular design also offers important advantages for homeowners, VanderPlaat adds: a series of quickly interâ€" changeable fires is being developed to allow buyers to choose the kind of fire "look" they want. Inexpensive update modules are also planned. "We‘re selling fashion with functionality," VanderPlaat says, "but we also want to make it easy for the Lennox dealer to install. The new gas fireplace is designed specifiâ€" cally for HVAC installers." According to VanderPlaat, the modular design of the system makes it easy for installers to remove critical parts for inspection, service or upgradâ€" ing. "% he GFP1, Lennox‘ new highâ€"efficiency, directâ€" .. vent gas fireplace sysâ€" tem â€" the first by a major HVAC manufacturer â€" was developed and tested with both the homeowner and Lennox dealer in mind, according to Peter VanderPlaat, Lennox‘ director of gas fireplaces. The system was developed and is being manufactured at Lennox‘ Toronto facility, in accordance with the ISO 9001 quality proâ€" cess. Gas fireplaces designed for easy maintenance 6 II TT CCE "" $239,900 Sat., Sun. Holidays: 11â€"6 weekdays by appointment For a more personal viewing design appointment call Michelle Corney* or N Sandra Arnold* at For more information on Lennox‘ natural gas fireâ€" places, call 1â€"800â€"363â€"DAVE, Monday â€" Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST. The zeroâ€"clearance natural gas fireplace system was introduced to the Canadian public in August. An insert model designed to be retrofitted into existing masonry fireplaces, as well as several other new models, will be introduced before the first United States release in midâ€" 1995. VanderPlaat also pointed out the system‘s high heating efficiency (72 per cent) and dual certification as a 21,500 Btuh input direct vent wall furnace and decorative gas appliance. Highâ€"low fire conâ€" trol is standard, and â€" with the optional wall thermostat â€" the fireplace doubles as an effective, dependable zoneâ€" heater. VanderPlaat says one of the most exciting elements of the fireplace is the simulated marâ€" ble trim package. "Basically, we apply a highâ€"resolution marble image to a metal surâ€" face," he explains. The result is a series of lightweight, heatâ€" resistant custom decorative panels, without the need for masonry work. (905) 874â€"3048 BELFOUNTAIN BLSH SI