Drop in temperatures can mean increase in housefires
Posted Jan 5, 2016 03:12:47 PM.
Last Updated Jan 6, 2016 06:50:37 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The Ottawa Fire Department often sees an increase in fire calls when we’re feeling a deep-freeze.
Assistant Deputy Chief Sean Tracey tells 1310 NEWS that can be tied in part to the use of space heaters.
Even if you have the newest, top-of-the-line heater, it can still be a risk, depending on what you plug it in to.
“People may plug a space heater into a extension cord that’s not rated for that load,” said Tracey, “causing the extension cord to be potentially the source of ignition.”
He adds that older space heaters can be a risk, because of wear-and-tear. “The cords may become frayed or damaged, and with the electrical draw that those space heaters have, can cause fires.”
Another fire risk is frozen pipes.
“We get incidents in and around pipe freezing, that’s a huge…concern for us,” said Tracey. He says some people even go so far as to use blowtorches to thaw pipes.
He says calling a professional is a safer option than trying to thaw them yourself.
