When your electricity has been lost, be very careful while using alternative lighting, cooking and heating appliances. Fire Safety features may become inoperative.
   Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are powered by electricity, with no backup battery will not work when you power is out.
   Test your alarms and make sure that there is a backup battery operated smoke and carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home, and that they are placed outside of all sleeping areas.
   If you are living in an apartment or a rented home, it is your responsibility to notify the landlord immediately, that the alarms are not working and thet they are replaced if necessary, and or replace the batteries.

    Instead of using candles or lanterns that increase the risk of fire when you have lost your electricity, use flashlights and light sticks instead. Ensure that you have a good supply of the proper sized batteries for your flashlights. There are also flashlights available that do not require batteries.

   If you must use candles, place them in a secure candle holder protected with a glass chimney. Keep candles away from all combustibles such as curtains, paper, etc.
   Place the candles out of the reach of children and in a location where they won't be accidentally knocked over by pets like cats and dogs.
   Avoid walking with a lit candle.
   Always remember to extinguish all of your candles before leaving the room or going to bed. Never leave a candle unattended.

   If you must use lanterns and oil lamps, place lamps and lanterns in a secure place where they can't be knocked over.
   Keep them away from windy areas and combustibles.
   Ensure that when you go to bed that they are not left in operation.

   Keep all matches and lighters away from children and out of site. Preferably they should be locked in a cabinet.

   Make sure that all stove elements and ovens are off and that nothing has been placed on the top of the stove.
   Think carefully before you bring a fuel burning appliance into your home. Any device that burns fuel requires oxygen to burn properly and ventilation to remove the deadly products of combustion.
   Carbon monoxides are produced by any device fuelled by natural gas, propane heating oil, kerosene, coal, charcoal, gasoline or wood. It is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that can be deadly.

   Use only portable space heaters that have been designed for indoor residential use.
   Before using one, refer to the manufacturer's recommendations for usage and follow the instructions carefully. Only use the fuel for which the appliance was designed.
   Provide adequate ventilation by opening a window slightly, when the heater is in use.
   Before refuelling them, turn off the heater, wait for it to cool, and always fuel the appliance out doors.
   Keep all heaters at least 3 feet away from combustible materials such as curtains, carpeting and furniture.
   Turn space heaters off when you are not in the room and when you go to bed.
   If you are using a wood stove, always empty ashes outside in a fire proof metal container.
   If you have not used your fireplace or wood stove for a long time, have it checked by a professional technician before using it.
   The chimney may be blocked or damaged, which could cause a fire or a build-up of carbon monoxide inside the building.
   Propane and charcoal barbecues should be used outside only. DO NOT bring them inside the building.

   Portable generators should be used outdoors only. They should be carefully placed outside, so that fumes do not enter the building.
   Generators and hot gases should be kept away from combustibles.
   Store fuel for the generator outside in an approved container a safe distance away from the building or the generator.
   Refuel only after shutting it down and letting it cool.
   Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding its use.
   Have a licensed electrical contractor or electrician to install the unit. Have the installation inspected by the electrical safety authority.

   Inform everyone in your home about the fire safety rules they must follow.
   Conduct regular safety checks of each room and keep a watchful eye on children and older adults.
   Make sure that everyone knows that they must leave the building immediately in the event of a fire.
   Practice your fire escape plan.
   Have at least one telephone that works during a power failure.

   The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula presently has identified a number of locations that can be, and will be utilized as evacuation/warming centres if there is a need to move people, or have people evacuate to one large central location where food, water and warmth can be provided until power is restored.
   These evacuations centres are as follows:

	Fire Station #10 (Tobermory)
	Fire Station #20 (Lion's Head)

   These areas are restricted in size but will provide the necessities if needed. Long term plans hope to see the Community Centre in Tobermory and the Arena in Lion's Head also utilized as locations once funding becomes available to provide the generators and wiring necessary in order to operate as such.