When Deputy Fire Chief Cole Dales first walked into the basement of a fire call, he couldn’t see two feet in front of his face. “There was a lot of haze and at first, we couldn’t see anything, Dales said, Thursday after the Wednesday night call to a Meaford home. As the smoke cleared however, it became obvious where it had been emanating from. A sump pump was plugged into a extension cord. “This type of damage is a serious warning sign that an electrical connection has been carrying more current than it could safely handle, or that there may have been a poor connection,” Dales said. “Either situation can produce enough heat to ignite surrounding materials. Thankfully, this was the only damage.” Dales said extension cords are designed for temporary use and not to replace permanent household wiring. Every cord has a specific gauge, amperage and wattage rating. When too much electrical equipment is connected to a cord, the conductors can overheat. “A damaged, undersized, or improperly rated cord makes that risk even greater,” he said. Some tips to consider: “What these pictures demonstrate is that an electrical fire doesn’t necessarily begin with dramatic sparks or flames. A cord or connection can quietly build up heat for an extended period,” he said, adding. “Once that heat reaches combustible materials - such as insulation, wood framing, furniture, or other household contents… a small electrical problem can become a structure fire.”
