WELLINGTON NORTH – As the weather turns colder in the coming months, it is important to remember the threat of residential fires.
According to Statistics Canada, between 2011 and 2020 the highest average incidents of accidental fire-related fatalities by month occurred in January (210), February (180), March (195) and December (165).
Decorate responsibly
With Halloween and Christmas right around the corner it is essential that homeowners decorate responsibly this holiday season.
North Wellington deputy fire chief Marco Guidotti says something as simple as using a damaged or improper extension cord can have devastating effects.
“You have to watch out for extension cords,” said Guidotti. “If they are frayed and damaged or if you are using an indoor extension cord outside, they can cause problems.”
The primary difference between an indoor and outdoor extension cord is the amount of insulation around the wiring.
Cords for outdoor use will typically use a bright vinyl or plastic covering to protect against the elements.
Outdoor extension cords typically have three pronged plugs, with the third prong serving as a grounding wire to reduce the risk of electric shock or fire.
Guidotti also warns against using damaged holiday decorations.
“Make sure the lights that you are putting up are not damaged, and make sure you’re not overloading your electrical circuits,” he said.
Each string should be checked for frayed wires, cracked sockets, nicks in the cord, or loose connections before hanging holiday decorations and lights.
Using damaged decorations and lights may cause electrical short circuits, leading to electric fires, and any damage to electrical cords could pose a risk of electric shock.
Staying warm
Proper fireplace maintenance and space heater safety is important when staying warm in the winter months.
“With fireplaces and space heaters keep a three-foot radius around it, front and back. Just to be safe, don’t put anything combustible close, and keep it on something like a hard surface,” said Guidotti.
Space heaters are often responsible for the most losses in home heating equipment fires – for example, in the U.S. they accounted for nearly nine out of 10 deaths and four out of five injuries from 2016 to 2020.
Chimneys should be cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional each year and all fireplaces should have a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
Fireplace users should let ashes completely cool before transferring them into a metal container placed at least 10 feet away from your home.
Safety devices
“The most important thing is to make sure your smoke alarms are working, said Guidotti.
“Homes now within a very short amount of time, within three minutes, can be engulfed. It can almost be impossible to exit your home at that point.”
Guidotti says it is imperative to keep up-to-date with your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Smoke alarms, when going off, will give off three quick beeps; carbon monoxide detectors will give off four.
One beep means the battery in your device need to be changed immediately.
Other safety equipment includes fire blankets, fire extinguishers, second storey escape ladders, and window breakers.
However, Guidotti says the best thing you can do for your safety is to maintain a clean and clutter free home.
“Keep your front door clear and if you have a back door keep that clear as well,” he said.
“Just regular maintenance and keeping things clear.”
For more information on fire safety visit oafc.on.ca/public-safety or nfpa.org.
