Fire Prevention Week kicks off

Today is the first day of Fire Prevention Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The theme this year is, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.”

The theme aims to educate the public about important actions for safe cooking. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in Canada. The majority of reported home fires start in the kitchen, most with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

Tips for safe cooking at home:

• Look while you cook: Unattended cooking is a leading cause of fire. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food. Always watch what you heat.

• Keep your kitchen clean: Keep your cooking surfaces clean to prevent food and grease build-ups that could be easily ignited. Clean up spills on the stove and in the oven.

• Wear short or close-fitting sleeves: Loose clothing can brush against heating elements and catch on fire. Loose sleeves should be rolled up tight before cooking.

• Put a lid on grease fire: Never put water onto a grease fire. Put a lid on the pot or over the pan, turn off the stove, and call 911. Don’t try to move the pot outside.

• Cook responsibly: To prevent cooking fires, you must be alert. You are not alert if you have consumed alcohol or drugs.

• Have a “kid-free zone”: Keep young kids one metre away from the stove. Turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge so pots can’t easily be knocked off.

In 2022, there were approximately 650 reported fire-related incidents in the province, with seven fire-related deaths.