Cooking safety is the focus of Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 8 to 14.
The Kelowna Fire Department (KFD) has teamed up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s campaign.
According to NFPA, cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires and injuries in North America and unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths.
“The KFD encourages all residents to embrace the 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme, cooking safety starts with you,” said Candace Friesen, fire inspector and safety educator.
“A cooking fire can grow quickly. We have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”
Key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire:
- watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking and set a timer to remind you that you are cooking;
- turn pot handles toward the back of the stove and always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner;
- have a kid and pet-free zone of at least one metre around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
To view these tips in action check out the KFD’s Fire Safety in the kitchen video.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and cooking safety visit the NFPA website and the fire safety fun for kids website.
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