Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews will begin their annual neighbourhood fire prevention inspections in the coming weeks.

The inspections will run throughout the spring season and into the summer months in an effort to help people combat arson, according to the city.

The inspections will take place between calls for emergency crews and will examine potential fire risks. If a risk is found they will provide home owners, tenants and landlords with information on how they can help prevent and identify fire risks.

Marc Proulx is the Public Education Coordinator for the WFPS and says arson is an opportunistic crime, but people can take steps to take away that opportunity. 

Here are some tips provided by the city on how you can help prevent fires in your neighbourhood:

  •            Keep shrubs and trees near buildings trimmed and watered
  •            Store flammable material like gas and propane safely and out of sight
  •            Dispose of garbage, leaves, lumber and bulky waste (such as mattresses or couches) properly and quickly
  •            Keep firewood well away from your house or garage
  •            Keep doors and windows secured. Don’t use double-keyed locks or bars on bedroom windows that could trap a person inside during a fire
  •            Keep locks, hinges, frames, doors and windows in good repair. Check skylights, roof hatches, fences and gates regularly to ensure they are secure
  •            Be on alert of any smoke or unusual odours
  •            Smoke alarms won’t stop a fire, but can save your life. Make sure you have working smoke alarms installed and make sure to change the batteries every year and make sure to test your smoke alarms monthly
  •            Develop and practice a home escape plan and regularly review it with your family
  •            Only use fire pits and other fire receptacles if they are approved by the City’s Neighbourhood Liveability By-Law. Never leave an open fire unattended. Fire pits should not be used in wind speeds higher than 25km/h.

If you want to report bulky waste on curbs or in back lanes, you can contact 311 by phone or by email at 311@winnipeg.ca.

For more information on the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service visit City of Winnipeg – Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.

 

This is an example of a good back lane, free of litter or yard waste

 

This back lane is filled with litter and trash, which makes it a target for arsonists, according to the WFPS

 

Yard waste such as this bundle of sticks are major fire hazards, Proulx said this would go up in flames "in an instant"