Safety warning for portable space heaters
The tragic fire in New York City on Sunday hits close to home. A malfunctioning space heater is to blame for the deaths of nine adults and eight children.
"Be really, really careful with those space heaters because it does happen in British Columbia," warned Gayanne Pacholzuk, prevention coordinator for the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund.
According to the Office of the Fire Commissioner, there were 17 fires in B.C. directly related to space heaters in 2021. Over the last decade, there have been 171 of the fires, resulting in four deaths and 16 injuries.
Space heaters can get very hot and older models with open grills will burn things quickly.
"The safest space heaters shut off automatically if they become too hot or if they’re knocked over,” explained Paul Hope, Consumer Reports home editor.
Never use extension cords with portable space heaters, plug directly into the socket. In addition, keep your heater on the floor at least a meter away from anything that can burn.
"It also means from children and pets," added Pacholzuk.
You should never leave a space heater on when you are not in the room or leave it on when you leave the house.
"Just like cooking at home, don't leave your kitchen when you're cooking," said Pacholzuk.
Those who died in the Bronx fire were overcome by smoke. That is why it is important to have up to date functioning smoke detectors installed in your home, especially where you sleep.
Make sure to check the smoke detectors regularly and change the batteries at least once a year.
With files from Consumer Reports
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
After 3 months of war, life in Russia has profoundly changed
Three months after the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, many ordinary Russians are reeling from those blows to their livelihoods and emotions. Moscow's vast shopping malls have turned into eerie expanses of shuttered storefronts once occupied by Western retailers.
EXCLUSIVE | Supreme Court Justice Mahmud Jamal on his journey to Canada’s highest court
Justice Mahmud Jamal sat down with CTV National News' Omar Sachedina for an exclusive interview ahead of the one-year anniversary of his appointment to the Supreme Court of Canada. Jamal is the first person of colour to sit on the highest court in the country, bringing it closer to reflecting the diversity of Canada.
Death toll from Saturday's storm hits 10 across Ontario and Quebec
As the death toll related to the powerful storm that swept Ontario and Quebec on Saturday reached 10 on Monday, some of the hardest-hit communities were still working to take stock of the damage.
'Too many children did not make it home': Anniversary of discovery at Canada's largest residential school
It's been a year since the announcement of the detection of unmarked graves at the site of what was once Canada's largest residential school – an announcement that for many Indigenous survivors was confirmation of what they already knew.
Walk out at trade meeting when Russia spoke 'not one-off,' says trade minister
The United States and four other nations that walked out of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group meeting in Bangkok over the weekend underlined their support Monday for host nation Thailand, saying their protest was aimed solely at Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine.
19 charged, including 10 minors, after violent night at Toronto beach
Police say they’ve made 19 arrests and seven officers were injured after a violent night at Toronto’s Woodbine Beach that saw two people shot, one person stabbed, two others robbed at gunpoint and running street battles involving fireworks through Sunday evening.
Monkeypox fears could stigmatize LGBTQ2S+ community, expert says
A theory that the recent outbreak of monkeypox may be tied to sexual activity has put the gay community in an unfortunate position, having fought back against previous and continued stigma around HIV and AIDS, an LGBTQ2+ centre director says.
Hydro damage 'significantly worse' than the ice storm and tornadoes, Hydro Ottawa says
Hydro Ottawa says the damage from Saturday's storm is "simply beyond comprehension", and is "significantly worse" than the 1998 ice storm and the tornadoes that hit the capital three years ago.
Johnny Depp's severed finger story has flaws: surgeon
A hand surgeon testified Monday that Johnny Depp could not have lost the tip of his middle finger the way he told jurors it happened in his civil lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard.
Vancouver Island
-
Port Hardy residents warned after man encounters 'aggressive black bear' in town
The BC Conservation Officer Service is warning residents of Port Hardy to "take precautions" after a man had an encounter with "an aggressive black bear" in the district on Friday.
-
Shameful and racist: Trudeau on the Komagata Maru incident
Calling it racist and shameful, the prime minister issued a statement Monday on the anniversary of one of Canada's darker historical chapters.
-
Police seek Parksville bank robbery suspect with tattoo on right thumb
Mounties on the Mid-Island are asking the public for help identifying a man suspected of robbing a bank in Parksville last week.
Calgary
-
Wreckage found of plane that disappeared in Ontario with Alberta men onboard, police say
The wreckage of a small plane that disappeared last month in northern Ontario with two men aboard has been located in Lake Superior Provincial Park.
-
Shooting on 17th Avenue S.W. sends 1 to hospital
EMS took a man to hospital suffering "traumatic injuries" after a shooting on 17th Avenue S.W. on Monday.
-
Calgary Stampeder under investigation, airline employee fired after fight at airport
The Calgary Stampeders football club has launched an investigation after video of a fight between a player and an airline employee went viral over the weekend.
Edmonton
-
A tale of two playoffs: Edmonton Oil Kings and Oilers compete for wins under one roof
As the city rallies behind the Edmonton Oilers taking the lead in the Battle of Alberta playoff edition, other playoff games are also being played at Rogers Place.
-
Northern Alberta search and rescue crews looking for missing canoer
RCMP officers are searching the Athabasca River in northeast Alberta for a missing canoer last seen around 12:15 p.m. on Saturday.
-
1 of 3 Alberta children hospitalized with severe acute hepatitis has been released
Three children in Alberta have now been hospitalized suffering from severe acute hepatitis not caused by known hepatitis viruses, officials said on Monday.
Toronto
-
19 charged, including 10 minors, after violent night at Toronto beach
Police say they’ve made 19 arrests and seven officers were injured after a violent night at Toronto’s Woodbine Beach that saw two people shot, one person stabbed, two others robbed at gunpoint and running street battles involving fireworks through Sunday evening.
-
Death toll after Ontario storm rises as crews work to restore power to 182K customers
Crews continue to try and restore power to more than 182,000 customers across Ontario after a storm ripped through the province over the weekend, leaving at least 10 people dead.
-
Ontario parties attach different price tags to pledge to boost student grants
Three of Ontario's four main parties are pledging to reverse cuts to the province's student assistance program, but they've all attached different price tags to the promise.
Montreal
-
Some Quebecers will likely wait weeks before severely damaged power lines are fixed
After this weekend's fierce storm, some Quebecers are being told to hunker down and get ready to live on generators, or without power, for several weeks.
-
More than 150,000 Quebec homes still without power after weekend storm
Hydro-Quebec says that at the height of the storm, 550,000 customers were without power.
-
Death toll from Saturday's storm hits 10 across Ontario and Quebec
As the death toll related to the powerful storm that swept Ontario and Quebec on Saturday reached 10 on Monday, some of the hardest-hit communities were still working to take stock of the damage.
Winnipeg
-
First of three flights bringing about 900 Ukrainians to Canada lands in Winnipeg
The first of three charter flights bringing Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia's invasion to Canada has landed in Manitoba this afternoon.
-
Manitoba man charged with manslaughter following deadly hotel assault
Officers with the Manitoba RCMP have charged a 30-year-old man with manslaughter following a fatal assault at a Thompson, Man., hotel.
-
'Sounds from the Sky:' First Nations pilot aims to inspire young Indigenous flyers
Timothy Atik (Tik) Mason has fond childhood memories of boarding large aircraft that would take him from Winnipeg to loved ones in his home community of St. Theresa Point First Nation in northern Manitoba.
Saskatoon
-
Man charged with murder in May 19 homicide, Saskatoon police say
Saskatoon police have arrested a 35-year-old man in connection to the May 19 homicide of 29-year-old Brandon Baxandall.
-
'We're going to run the damn ball': Roughriders keen to focus on ground game this season
A healthy competition has been brewing at Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp over the weekend.
-
Death toll from Saturday's storm hits 10 across Ontario and Quebec
As the death toll related to the powerful storm that swept Ontario and Quebec on Saturday reached 10 on Monday, some of the hardest-hit communities were still working to take stock of the damage.
Regina
-
May long weekend signifies beginning of summer festivities
The Victoria Day long weekend marks the unofficial start of summer with many outdoor events such as festivals, parades and other activities.
-
Questions surround future by-election for Saskatoon Meeswasin
The seat currently held by the Saskatchewan NDP leader Ryan Meili will be up for grabs within six months of his resignation.
-
'We're going to run the damn ball': Roughriders keen to focus on ground game this season
A healthy competition has been brewing at Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp over the weekend.
Atlantic
-
Mask mandate drops in N.S. public schools Tuesday
When students in Nova Scotia return to school on Tuesday after the Victoria Day long weekend, wearing masks will be optional.
-
Man, 19, dies following single-vehicle crash in Shediac Cape, N.B.: police
A 19-year-old man has died following a single-vehicle collision in Shediac Cape, N.B.
-
Gowns of generosity: Over 100 prom dresses donated at N.B. high school
The generosity of several New Brunwickers will help ease the financial pressure of attending prom next month.
London
-
Former Blue Jay Dalton Pompey plays at Labatt Park vs London Majors Monday
Fans at Labatt Park in London, Ont. got to see a former major league baseball player compete against their hometown team Monday afternoon.
-
Northern Tornadoes Project investigating East London for possible Tornado
Cleanup is still underway from Saturday’s massive storm that hit Southwestern Ontario, and not everyone in the region has their power restored.
-
Fire crews called to early morning blaze at Cargill Plant in London
London fire crews arrived to heavy smoke and flames Monday morning at the Cargill poultry processing plant.
Northern Ontario
-
Experts applaud $11M move by feds toward critical minerals
Experts are applauding the federal government's call for proposals for the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Development Program.
-
Officials in the north worry destructive invasive species will emerge this summer
Researchers in the north are warning one of Canada's "most invasive plants" could be popping up this summer.
-
Election race tightens in Nipissing as candidates make final push for votes
With less than two weeks to go in the provincial election, candidates in Nipissing are preparing their final push to gain support from the 60,000 eligible voters in the riding.
Kitchener
-
NEW
NEW | Brantford woman killed during Saturday's storm
The woman killed at Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area during Saturday's storm has now been identified as Shelby Humble-Neale of Brantford.
-
'We want to give her her name back': OPP plea for information in death of young girl found in the Grand River
Ontario provincial police are asking for the public’s help, as they continue to investigate the death of a young girl whose body was found in the Grand River in Dunnville.
-
'We're idolizing these colonial figures': Calls to remove Queen Victoria statue continue
Kitchener's statue of Queen Victoria has been splattered with red paint several times over the past year, and on the holiday marking her reign, the calls to have the controversial monument removed continue.