Saskatoon fire officials warn cold snap raises house fire, carbon monoxide risks

Saskatoon fire officials are asking the public to use extra caution during the cold snap. Stacey Hein explains the risks of the cold.

The Saskatoon Fire Department is urging people to use caution as extreme cold grips the province, warning of an increased risk of house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Arctic air moving through the Prairies is expected to bring overnight lows in the minus 30s and daytime highs in the mid-20s below zero across much of Saskatchewan over the next few days.

With more residents turning to space heaters and fireplaces to stay warm, Fire Marshal Ryan Bradley says it’s important to use heating appliances properly.

“Make sure that we are using them correctly and according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, and that we are providing the proper space around them,” Bradley said at a news conference Friday.

He also recommends checking exterior exhaust and intake systems. If they freeze, they put pressure on the furnace, leading to incomplete combustion and potentially dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.

• Get the latest news from Saskatoon, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

To help detect a problem early, Bradley stresses the importance of having carbon monoxide monitors.

“Make sure that we have a carbon monoxide monitor on at least every level of our floor, specifically those levels that we sleep on and those levels that we do have fuel-burning appliances on,” he said.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, nausea and dizziness. Bradley says it can be difficult to distinguish the symptoms from the flu, but a warning sign is when everyone in the home experiences the same symptoms, or they improve after leaving the house.

Bradley also notes that warming shelters are available for people in need. While overnight shelters are seeing increased demand during the cold snap, he says there is still capacity.