Stay safe and stay warm this winter with these fire prevention tips

Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in Ontario, writes Andrew Zvanitajs

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 6, 2023
Chief Andrew Zvanitajs

Did you know heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in Ontario?

Fireplaces, furnaces, chimneys, vents and space heaters can be potential hazards if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Keep your family warm and safe during the cold of winter.

FIRE SAFETY AND PREVENTION TIPS

Keep flammable items (like curtains, furniture, paper and clothing) at least three feet (one metre) away from any furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable heater.

Have a qualified professional inspect your furnace and fireplace every year to ensure it’s in good working order, and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance. If you ever see any rust spots on or around your furnace or hear any unusual noises, have an expert take a look.

Never use a barbecue, generator or fuel-burning space heater inside your home. These items could release carbon monoxide (CO) or other poisonous gases. CO can also build up in your home if exterior vents are blocked. Make sure you remove snow from dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace exterior vents and exhaust pipes. If you ever smell gas inside your home, leave immediately and call 911.

Consider using approved timers for vehicle block heaters rather than leaving heaters on all night unattended. Never run a vehicle or other fuelled engine or motor indoors, even with the garage door open. Always drive a vehicle out of the garage immediately after starting it.

Use a space heater that automatically shuts off if it falls over or if the temperature gets too hot. Look for heaters with a safety certification from an organization like the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Always plug the heater directly into the wall rather than into an extension cord, and remember to turn off and unplug space heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.

Most importantly, install smoke and CO alarms on all levels of your home, and test them at least once a month. Having working alarms are the simplest way to help save a life in the event of a fire.

We all know Canadian winters are cold. When the temperature drops, it’s time to keep up with fire prevention practices to help everyone stay safe and warm.

To learn more about fire safety, visit vaughan.ca/fire.