Steinbach Fire Chief Kel Toews recommends that people not plug in their vehicles if they are inside a garage. Toews says it's too great a risk in event there's a problem with your block heater cord or extension cord. He adds those problems are often not visible.

"The cord has been pinched, either under the hood or under the wheel and it now causes a point of resistance and it overheats at that point. Also using incorrect cords or pulling away without first unplugging your vehicle, that again will cause stress to the cord and cause weak points."

Toews says these weak points can cause heat to build up and, when that happens in an enclosed space, like a garage, it can lead to a fire. Besides, he adds, there is no need to plug in a vehicle that is inside a garage because it is out of the elements and should start just fine.