Last week, Innisfil Fire & Emergency Services responded to three garage fires, something Fire Prevention Officer for Innisfil Mike Symes says he has never seen over his 16-year-career with the service.
"It's not suspicious, it's just weird timing," he noted, adding the cost of damage to each garage is around $200-$500K.
With the provincial lockdown and stay-at-home orders in effect, Symes says many are hanging using their garages more as a space to hang out with family but wants to remind residents to be careful and safe when doing so.
"If using any type of garage the big problem is getting in the heat," he said.
With the colder weather and the ongoing pandemic, there has been an increased demand for burn permits in Innisfil. So for in January, the town has sold 45 burn permits, which Symes says is a lot compared to this time of year in 2019 when only 25 were sold.
Symes says the winter, in general, is when things are working harder, like snowblowers and wood stove fires, which is another reason to take extra care in reducing the risk of a structure fire.
If you're going to be spending more time in the garage, Symes shares the following fire prevention measures:
- Give space heaters some space - Space heaters need at least a 1m clearance from anything combustible or flammable.
- Plug the space heater into the wall - Don't plug them into a power bar or extension cord, which draws too much on the heater and causing it to overload.
- Be aware of your surroundings - Look around the garage and keep the heater away from flammable liquids.
- Keep propane heaters and barbecues out of the garage.
He also reminds residents to check the batteries in their smoke alarms. Two out of the three homes affected by the garage fires last week did not have working fire alarms he said.
According to Health Canada, smoke alarms should be tested every month and smoke alarms more than 10-years-old should be replaced.
