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Fire safety paramount during hunting seasons

Office of the Fire Marshal News Release ********************* Toronto – In August, three people died tragically at a hunting and fishing camp in the County of Haliburton. Their cabin did not have a working smoke alarm.
Office of the Fire Marshal
News Release

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Toronto – In August, three people died tragically at a hunting and fishing camp in the County of Haliburton. Their cabin did not have a working smoke alarm.

“To prevent further fire injuries and fatalities, anglers and hunters who plan to participate in the upcoming hunting seasons should remember to pack a new smoke alarm and some extra smoke alarm batteries for their cabins and seasonal hunt camps,” urges Pat Burke, Fire Marshal of Ontario. “Fire safety is not just for homes, it’s for cottages, cabins and seasonal hunt camps too. It’s the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms in every residence.”

In addition to working smoke alarms, anglers and hunters are encouraged to thoroughly check and clean all heating appliances (i.e., woodstoves, propane heaters, kerosene heaters, naptha stoves and lanterns) and chimneys at their cabins and hunt camps before using them. Often small animals can build nests in chimneys that can cause a build-up of carbon monoxide inside the cabin. Other important seasonal tips for anglers and hunters include:

• Bring a flashlight with extra batteries and a carbon monoxide alarm.

• Ensure battery packs that are used as back-up electricity sources have batteries that are in proper working order (i.e., not leaking).

• Smoke outside and keep a large can with water nearby so cigarette butts can be safely discarded. Tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption are contributing factors in many fires and can lead to serious injuries or death.

• Ensure combustibles are kept well away from heating appliances, stoves and lanterns.

• Check with the local fire department, municipality, or the Ministry of Natural Resources for any restrictions on burning before starting campfires or burning brush.

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