Electrical safety seminar to focus on hazards of aluminum wiring

Aluminum wiring was widely used in home construction and renovations in Mississauga during the 1960s and 1970s, but without proper care it can become a potential fire hazard.

“There have been numerous warnings about potential hazards of aluminum wiring, yet many homeowners are unaware of what they should be doing to mitigate the dangers,” said Tim Birnie, president of Birnie CurrentSAFE, a Mississauga-based electrical contract company.

On Feb. 10, Birnie CurrentSAFE will partner with Mississauga Fire Services to host a free home safety seminar on how to deal with potential hazards of residential aluminum wiring.

Titled Aluminum Wiring: Debunking the Myths, the seminar also features a presentation on fire prevention and escape plans by Michele Aplin, public education officer for Mississauga Fire & Emergency Services.

Birnie said, without proper maintenance, aluminum wiring tends to oxidize at termination points, which can spark a fire.

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) has also issued a number of warnings about the potential hazards of aluminum wiring related to overheating and failure of aluminum wiring terminations at outlets, light switches and other termination points.

“We know there are a large number of homes in Mississauga with aluminum wiring. It is important that they understand potential risks, and how to deal with those risks. We also want to emphasize other important factors in fire prevention,” said Aplin. “There’s no glory in fighting a fire that could have been prevented.”