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Efforts to thaw pipes have sparked fires By PETER WONG Two fires were touched off this week when people used the wrong equipment in futile attempts to thaw frozen pipes during the Rogue Valley's frigid weather. In Medford, use of a blowtorch set afire a couple of walls in a remodeled house at 2212 Buena Vista Drive. The fire spread to the eaves and attic, causing $10,000 in damage and requiring three fire engine crews to control it. In Ashland, use of a paint remover gun set afire the siding on a mobile home. But the fire did not get out of hand, and firefighters were able to control it quickly. No injuries resulted from either fire Monday, but firefighters said cold weather calls for caution in thawing and heating to prevent property damage and personal tragedy. "Any time you try to thaw pipes, extreme caution needs to be taken," said Don Paul, Ashland's fire marshal and assistant fire chief. "Do not use anything with an open flame. What we recommend is something as simple as a hair dryer." Hot air also can be drawn from vacuum cleaners, heat lamps or electric heaters if used properly. The Medford Water Commission offers tips about how to keep pipes from freezing (see box). Firefighters also offer advice to people who rely on heat from alternatives to forced-air or all-electric systems. "People need to be careful about keeping their heating devices away from combustible materials," said Ken Goodson, Medford Fire Department battalion chief. A faulty power cord on a heat lamp set laundry afire Monday at 229 Berrydale Ave., causing $1,500 in damage. Goodson said damage was kept to a minimum because the occupant called for help immediately, got others out of the house, attempted to put out the fire with an extinguisher and directed firefighters to the source of the fire. Paul said electric space heaters require careful attention. "You need to be aware how much current a space heater draws so that you are not putting a greater demand on the circuit it's plugged into than it is capable of supplying," Paul said. Tags on space heaters specify how much wattage they use. Paul said most take up a single circuit, so two heaters should never be plugged into the same circuit. Extension cords also should not be used for space heaters because of the amount of electricity drawn. People who use kerosene heaters should keep in mind that they are not vented. Paul said that in newer homes and homes with improved insulation, users of kerosene heaters should leave windows open to avoid a buildup of poisonous carbon monoxide -- a colorless and odorless gas that robs the body of oxygen. People who use woodstoves should make sure they burn dry wood to avoid problems with creosote -- wood tar that is combustible. Paul said creosote buildup can lead to flue fires. To keep burning embers inside, Paul said woodstoves should have secured doors or screens in front of the stove. Proper installation will keep woodstoves at the right distance from floors and walls, and their flues go all the way through ceilings. Candles are not meant to be used as sources of heat, Paul said, and should never be left unattended. "People also should be aware of where candles sit so that a curtain isn't inadvertently blown over the top of the flames," he said. How to keep pipes from freezing Some tips from the Medford Water Commission (call 770-2430 for customer service): Heat all rooms that have plumbing fixtures, particularly those with plumbing on outside walls. If areas under sinks are especially cold, open cabinet doors to let heat in. Light bulbs may be used, but they should not touch flammable material. Leave a trickle of water running -- the size of lead in a pencil -- to keep pipes from freezing. This step is more likely to be necessary if the house is older or poorly insulated, or if the main water line goes under concrete. The trickle-down method is most effective from the highest faucet or the fixture farthest from where the main water line enters the building. Know where the main shut-off valve is if there is an emergency. For houses built within the past 25 years, the valve is usually in the meter box on the customer's side of the meter. The box usually is near the street or sidewalk within a few feet of a side property line. If the meter box needs to be opened, close the lid quickly to prevent cold air from freezing the meter. Watch for leaks after the weather warms, when most breaks occur. Check outside faucets, especially if garden hoses have been left attached. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA