GARAGE DOORAlways leave your garage door closed. If you planto be away for a while, padlock the door tracks. Anddon’t leave the garage door opener in your car;store it in your house instead.
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REINFORCE YOUR DOORSThe best doors have a solid core, with solid framemoulding on either side of the lock. If your door is hollow,seriously consider having it replaced by a professional,as the job is complicated. The best lock is utterly uselessif one good kick is enough to break down the door!
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FRONT DOORA front door that opens outward has hinges accessiblefrom outside. To make them impossible to remove,both ends of the pins or insert a screw in the centerthat is impossible to remove.
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PEEPHOLEA peephole lets you see who’s knocking at the door.Give children clear instructions not to answer the doorwhen you’re not home. Don’t trust chain bolts—oncethe door is open, a good shove is all it takes toeasily break the latch.
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IBC,YOUR INFO SOURCEFOR PROPERTY ANDCASUALTY INSURANCE
PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST FIRE GOING ON VACATION?
STRENGTHEN ENTRY POINTS
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the association that represents propertyand casualty (P&C) insurers—the companies that insure your home, car, andbusiness against , accidents, and other risks. Member companiesprovide about 90% of the P&C insurance sold in Canada.
A GOLD MINE OF RELIABLE INFORMATION DID YOU KNOW THAT...• Almost half of all installed smokedetectors are not in good operatingcondition. Even worse, many Quebechomes are still not equipped withsmoke detectors!
• Nearly one in three s is causedby carelessness or negligent useof combustible materials, cookingappliances, or smoking supplies.
• Mechanical or electrical malfunctionsthat could have been prevented bysimple maintenance are the sourceof close to one in three
DON’T PLAY WITH FIRE!
DID YOU KNOW THAT...• In one of three thefts, the burglar entersthrough an open or unlocked door.
• In one of three thefts, the burglar slipseasily through a basement window.
• In two of three thefts, the burglardoesn’t even have to break in tocommit the crime!
BURGLARS ONLY NEEDONE CHANCE—DON’T GIVE ITTO THEM!
IBC OFFERS YOU PRACTICAL TOOLS.USE THEM!
DID YOU KNOW?
Each year, s claim many lives andcost thousands of dollars in damage.Many of these tragedies canbe avoided.
FIRE
In Quebec, burglars “visit” one houseor apartment every twelve minutes, andin most cases take just two or threeminutes to break in!
THEFT PATIO DOORSPatio doors are vulnerable. Drill holes in the frameat the top and bottom to insert bolts. Get into thehabit of sliding the bolts into place along with a pieceof wood to block the door before you leave.
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PATIO DOORSPatio doors can be lifted and removed without mucheffort. Install a plate or screw in the upper track.
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DOUBLE-HUNG WINDOWSFor double-hung windows, drill a downward-angledhole through the t sash and about halfway throughthe second. Immobilize the windows by insertinga large pin into the hole.
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SLIDING WINDOWSSliding windows can be secured with a pin throughthe two sashes. Place a length of wood in the tracks.If you frequently open the window, fasten the pinto the sash with a chain.
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Check your smoke detectors
• Test them monthly.
• Replace batteries at least oncea year, or better yet, when you setthe clocks forward in the springand back again in the fall!
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Remove all combustible andammable materials from the basementand attic. Flammable materials likethinners, gasoline, paint, and industrialcleaners should be properly storedin an approved container and placedin a ventilated location far from anyignition source.
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In winter, have someone you trustvisit your home daily to make sure theheating is working properly. Inspectyour thermostats; they may becomestuck in the “off” or “on” position.
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Never leave Christmas trees or wreathlights on and unattended.7
Hide your matches and lighters
• Ask children to tell you when theyd matches or lighters.
• Advise them each time that suchitems are for adults only.
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Establish a e evacuation plan
• Draw a diagram of your home,indicating two exits for each room.
• Hold e drills with all membersof your family.
• Decide on a place where you canmeet outside and call for help.
• Practice crawling to avoid the heatand smoke.
• Remind all family members thatthey must go out and stay out.
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Never store propane inside.2
Don’t tempt arsonists by leavingsolvents and combustible materialsin plain view!
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To prevent lightning from causinga , make sure telephone wires,television cables, and other outdoordevices are grounded. If your home isbuilt on an elevated or exposed site,have a lightning rod installed.
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Unplug TV sets. Some becomeexcessively hot, which can bedangerous if they are located insidea cabinet or directly under a curtain.Lightning can also causea power surge.
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Be careful if you smoke
• Never smoke in bed.
• Use only wide, stable ashtrays.
• Wet cigarette butts beforedisposing of them.
• After putting out a cigarette, makesure there are no ashes or butts onor around the furniture.
3 Be careful with electricity
• With a little attention, you canspot devices that are dangerous orin poor condition: kering lamps,bare wires, burning odors, opencircuit breakers.
• Never run electrical cords underfurniture or rugs, where they maybe crushed or even cut.
• Do not use extension cordson a permanent basis.
• Do not plug too many appliancesinto a single outlet.
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Give space heaters space
• Leave at least one meter (3 feet)between combustible materialsand space heaters.
• Turn off space heaters whenleaving a room.
7 Get rid of combustible waste
• Regularly dispose of anythingthat could cause a , including
e paints or solventsyou no longer need, stacksof papers, etc.
• Do not leave any combustiblesin the furnace room.
8Use your kitchen safely
• Don’t leave any cooking unattended.Turn off the stove even if you onlyleave the room for a few seconds.
• Use a CSA-approved fryer.
• Wear g clothing thatwon’t catch on pot handles.
• Turn pot handles inward to keepfrom overturning them and preventchildren from grabbing them.
• Do not let children get closerthan one meter (3 feet) when youare cooking.
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Smoke detectors save lives. But a detector without a battery, with a dead battery,or connected to an inoperative power supply is worse than none at all, because it givesyou a false sense of security!
• Install smoke detectors outside bedrooms and on each r of your home,including the basement.
• Make sure dust does not collect on smoke detectors and never paint over them.
• Do not use rechargeable batteries, as they can fail without warning.
• Check smoke detectors at least once a month.
• Replace batteries at least once a year.
• Replace smoke detectors every ten years.
SMOKE DETECTOR MAINTENANCE
• Stop where you are. Do not run, as movement tends to intensify the
• Drop to the ground.
• Roll in a rug, blanket, or coat to smother theProtect your face with your hands or a damp cloth.
IF YOUR CLOTHES CATCH FIRE
Prevention• If you live in an apartment building, make sure stairways and emergency exitsare not blocked.
• Locate e alarm pulls, extinguishers, and e hoses.
• Never throw a lit cigarette from a balcony. The wind could blow it in a lower window.
• Never use a barbecue on a balcony.
In the event of• Never use an elevator during a . The shaft could l with hot gases and smoke,and the controls could malfunction or stop working. Also, the elevator doors couldopen onto a hallway full of s and smoke.
• Before exiting your unit, feel the door. I t is hot, do not open it.If smoke is coming from underneath, block the slit with damp towels.
• Remember that smoke generally rises. It may therefore be easier to breatheat r level near an open window or on a balcony.
• When leaving your unit, close the windows and doors if you can.
SAFETY RULES FOR APARTMENT BUILDINGS
A FEW SIMPLE RULES... TO PREVENT A FIRE
Make your home look lived in.Ask a neighbour to collect the mailand newspapers, keep the sidewalkand driveway clear, and even havehim park his car there.
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Inspect the premises the nightbefore you leave. Put away bicyclesand gardening or snow removalequipment, and lock your shed. Bringin anything that could give burglarsa leg up, such as ladders and trashcans. Closely trim trees and shrubsso your house can be seen.
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Timers are effective and inexpensivetheft prevention devices, especiallymultiple timers on a random setting.Timers make your home look lived in,tricking burglars when a lamp or radiosuddenly comes on.
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Consider other prevention systemssuch as outdoor motion detectors oran alarm system.
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Leave the radio on, preferablytuned to a station that broadcastscall-in shows—perfect for giving theimpression that someone is home.
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Turn of s in the morning andturn them on at night. Open curtainsin the morning and close themat night.
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Take care to close all doors andwindows, even if you plan to begone for only a few minutes.
Before you leave, evenfor a few minutes!
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A FEW SIMPLE RULES... TO PREVENT THEFT
A small e can turn into a serious blaze inminutes. Call the e department immediately!
DON’T WASTE A SECOND!
Have the right extinguisher:Class A Ordinary combustible materials,
like wood, paper, and plastic
Class B Flammable liquids like gasoline,grease, oil-based paint, and
e gases
Class C Electrical wiring orhousehold appliances
Learn to use your extinguisher:• Pull the pin.
• Aim downward.
• Squeeze the lever.
• Sweep from side to side, aimingtoward the base of the
EXTINGUISHER ABCs
Regardless of whether your extinguisher is e or single use,inspect it every 30 days to make sure that…• Tamper seals are not broken or missing.
• Discharge valves show no sign of degradation, corrosion, leakage, or obstruction.
• The pressure shown on the manometers (pressure gauges) is normal.
• The date for the next professional inspection or servicing has not passed.
Have your e extinguisher inspected and serviced by a professional.
MAKE SURE YOUR EXTINGUISHER WORKS PROPERLY
QUESTIONS? CALL 514 288-4321 OR 1-877-288-4321 OR VISIT WWW.INFOINSURANCE.CA
PREVENTINGTHEFT AND FIREAdvice for protectingyour home fromthe unexpected
Together with its members, IBC is constantly working to helpconsumers better understand their insurance. IBC is a valuablesource o rmation on coverage, prevention, and claim settlement—in short, every aspect of P&C insurance!
ALL FOR ONEAND ONE FOR ALL!This is what insurance is all about.In any insurance system, the premiumspaid by many are used to compensatethe few who suffer damages.
For more information, contact anInsurance Information Centre agent:
Montreal Area: 514 288-4321Elsewhere in Quebec: 1-877-288-4321
Or visit our Website
www.infoinsurance.caThe Be Sure About Your Insurance brochuresGet them free by contacting anInsurance Information Centre agent:Montreal Area 514 288-4321Elsewhere in Quebec 1-877-288-4321
The Be Sure About Your Insurance Website atwww.infoinsurance.ca
Leave your car in the garagewhen loading your luggage toprevent undesirables fromknowing you’re leaving.
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Q U E S T I O N S ? C A L L 5 1 4 2 8 8 - 4 3 2 1 O R 1 - 8 7 7 - 2 8 8 - 4 3 2 1 O R V I S I T WWW . I N F O I N S U R A N C E . C A
FIRE THEFT
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For more information or free Be Sure About Your Insurance brochures, call the Insurance information Center:
Montreal Area: 514 288-4321 / Elsewhere in Quebec: 1-877-288-4321
Do you have an inventoryof your possessions?Complete the inventory form bydownloading or ordering it fromwww.infoinsurance.ca.
IBC offers a variety of toolsto help you with prevention:
• The Be Sure About Your Insurancebrochures
• The Be Sure About Your InsuranceWebsite at www.infoinsurance.ca
SMART PREVENTIONThe chimney is too short. Sparksfrom the �replace could easily fallto the roof or enter through anopen window.
Frequently inspect and cleanchimney �ues, particularly whenburning oil, coal, or wood.
A chimney �ue opening shouldbe covered with metal or �lledwith concrete.
A �replace screen prevents sparksfrom hitting the �oor and rugs.
Never install a bulb with ahigher wattage than the maximumindicated on the �xture.
An electrical shock can leavea person unconscious and unableto escape a �re. Installing groundfault circuit interrupters inbathrooms is a good idea.
Never smoke in bed.
A cluttered attic can be dangerous.Never create the right conditionsfor a �re.
Where are the smoke detectors?If you don’t know where to installthem, contact your municipality’s�re prevention department.
A lightning rod may be a wiseinvestment for a home built onan elevated or exposed site.
The garage should be separatedfrom living quarters by a �re-resistantself-closing door.
A properly wired light �xture witha switch would be much betterthan a makeshift installation withan extension cord.
There are safer ways to storegasoline. Never keep more gasthan you need in a month. Notonly is it dangerous, it may alsoage and thicken.
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Old newspapers stacked neara fuel tank under an electric lamp:all the ingredients for a �re.
Are fuses and circuit breakersworking properly? Are there enoughcircuits? Inspect aluminium wiringperiodically, even i�t wasinstalled correctly.
Never let dry leaves and debriscollect near any outside wall ofyour house, especially if youhave wood siding.
Solvents and waste piled neara furnace? An explosive and highlydangerous mix!
Have your heating boiler inspectedand cleaned frequently. A clean,properly adjusted boiler is safer andsaves energy. Do not block the airvent or damper.
A great way to dry laundry…and start a �re!
It’s good that this extension corddoesn’t run under the rug. It wouldbe even better to have morewall outlets.
Lighted candles are elegant butshould never be left unattended.
A wastebasket near the stove isa recipe for disaster!
Pot handles should be turnedinward, over the stove.
Remove greasy build-up in therange hood and on the �lters.
Hopefully, the wind won’t blow thiscurtain over the heating elementson the stove.
Is this iron still plugged in?
Is this tank in good condition?It’s important to have it inspectedperiodically to be sure it is airtightso fuel oil will not over�ow or leak.
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A good lock is worth it! You canbuy a double-cylinder lock fromany good locksmith. The deadboltshould be at least 1 inch deepand once closed, the door cannotbe opened without a key, evenfrom inside. But take care toalways leave the key in the lockwhen you’re at home.
The door between the garageand house should be as solid asyour exterior doors and equippedwith the same security devices.
If you have just moved in, replacethe main lock on the house.
Glass panels in doors and sidepanels in certain entries can bereplaced with break-resistant plasticpanels or reinforced with grilles.
The mail slot should not be wideenough for agile �ngers to reachthe lock. Check its position and ifpossible, cover the slot and installan outside mailbox. And neverleave a spare key in it—that’s the�rst place burglars will look!
If you place grilles over basementwindows, make sure you can still getout in an emergency, such as a�re. Fasten grilles from the insidewith easily removable pins. You canalso replace the glass with break-resistant plastic panels.
Locking windows are a goodinvestment.
Marking valuables is a proven theftdeterrent. Your police departmentcan give you free materials andinstructions, as well as stickersindicating that your belongings aremarked. Burglars tend to avoidmarked items, which are rejectedby those who deal in stolen goods.
Jewellery is a favourite target ofburglars. Yours is probably in a boxor dresser drawer. Leave onlycostume jewellery in these locations,in suf�cient quantities to satisfyburglars. Put your valuables ina less predictable spot. Useyour imagination!
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High fences seem harder to climb,but they hide anyone able to getover. Choose a chain link or slatfence that gives of�cers on patrola clear view of your house.
A buzzer connected to the housecan be installed on the fence gateto alert you when someone enters.
Do not display your name onthe front door or mailbox. It helpsanyone who wants to call to seeif you’re at home.
Have you thought about yourskylights? Make sure they areinstalled securely and equippedwith a locking device similarto that on your doors.
Awning windows are hard toprotect. At least remove the crankbefore you leave.
Vents and all other openings over600 cm2 (90 in.2) must be equippedwith secure locking devices.
An alarm system is an effectivemeans of prevention. Purchase onefrom a specialized company thatprovides installation, a warranty,and regular inspections to makesure it’s working properly.
All your alarm systems musthave a backup power source inthe event of a power failure.
A photoelectric cell that turns lightson and off according to the degreeof darkness is a good investment.
A good guard dog deters burglarsby barking. A simple “BEWARE OFDOG” sign can also do the trick.
To help the police �nd your homequickly and easily, make sure youraddress is clearly visible not onlyon the front of your house butalso on the back.
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If you get home and discover you’ve been robbed,don’t touch anything! Immediately go to a neighbour’sand call the police.
