Why Does Cold Weather Mean More Home Fires in Vancouver?

The cold weather means more home fires, not just in Vancouver, but everywhere. The main reasons are that during the cold weather people need to heat themselves, and they do not always do it safely. A faulty furnace, a wood burning fireplace, and a space heater are all common sources of fire in the winter.

Smoke Detectors

It is worth noting that most of these home fires in the winter are in homes that do not have smoke detectors or have smoke detectors that were not working.

Space Heaters

Space heaters are the worst culprits. Sometimes space heaters draw too much amperage for where they are plugged in and will heat up an outlet that is not properly wired. In addition, space heaters should not have anything flammable around them, and they should not be left on when you are not there or when you are asleep. Lastly, some people make the mistake of using several connected extension cords for a space heater or an extension cord that is not rated for the amperage needed for a space heater. All of these things listed above are often causes of fire inside a home.

Woodburning Fireplace

Even a woodburning fireplace can be the source of a fire in the home. These fireplaces should have some kind of screen or glass cover that prevents embers from jumping out and setting something on fire. There should be nothing flammable near a fireplace. Also, fireplace chimneys need to be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent the buildup of creosote which is a fire hazard in itself.

Please be careful in the winter at home! And, if you need some help with preparing a fire safety plan for your business, call the experts at Van Fire in Richmond, BC, to help you at (604) 706-0306. This is our business and our area of expertise. You absolutely need a fire prevention strategy and inspection of your fire precautions on a regular basis.