MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release
Date:  January 13, 2009

Keep fire safety in mind as temperatures drop!

Pickering, Ontario:  As Ontario prepares to be blasted by chilling Arctic temperatures this week, Pickering Fire Services is urging the public to keep fire safety in mind when taking steps to deal with colder winter weather.

The winter months traditionally see more fires in Ontario homes related to heating equipment and appliances. People need to pay close attention to potential fire hazards related to the use of fuel-burning appliances, space heaters and even block heaters in their vehicles.

“Block heaters should be treated just as any other piece of electrical equipment around the home," explains Steve Fowlds, Fire Inspector, Pickering Fire Services. “Cords and connections should be in good repair and caution should be used to ensure circuits are not overloaded.”

Important fire safety tips for cold weather include the following:

• Burn dry, well-seasoned wood in fireplaces and woodstoves to reduce the risk of excessive creosote build-up in chimneys.
• Allow ashes from your woodstove or fireplace to cool before emptying them into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep the container outside.
• Keep intake and exhaust vents for furnaces and heating appliances free of ice and snow accumulations to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide build-up from inefficient combustion. Install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to alert you to the presence of this deadly gas.
• Keep space heaters at least one metre (3 feet) away from anything that can burn, including curtains, upholstery, and clothing.
• Replace worn or damaged electrical wires and connections on vehicles and extension cords and use the proper gauge extension cord for vehicle block heaters.
• Consider using approved timers for vehicle block heaters rather than leaving heaters on all night.
• Ensure that vehicles are not left running inside any garage or building.

Pickering Fire Services reminds everyone that the Ontario Fire Code requires smoke alarms to be installed on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Failure to comply with this law can result in a ticket for $235 or a fine of up to $100,000. If you require more information about smoke alarms or fire safety, please contact the Pickering Fire Services at 905.839.9968 or fire@cityofpickering.com  or visit our website at cityofpickering.com

• click here for more fire safety information

- 30 –

Contact:
Steve Fowlds, Fire Inspector
905.839.9968 ext. 234
905.706.0282
sfowlds@cityofpickering.com