Fire Prevention Week

October 8-14, 2006

This year’s theme is “Prevent Cooking Fires – Watch What You Heat”.

A pot of cooking oil on a red-hot element is very dangerous. In seconds, the oil can overheat, burst into flames and cause a house fire that rapidly spreads out of control. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires.

In 2002, Canadian statistics show that there were 5,541 reported fires associated with cooking equipment in homes resulting in a dollar loss of $81,698,935, 561 injuries and 17 deaths. Out of the 5,541 fires, 4,219 were stove or range fires.

Here are some basic precautions that you should follow:

Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling or boiling food.
If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking and use a timer to remind you that the stove or oven is on.
Make sure that items that can catch fire, such as paper towels, pot holders, curtains and dish cloths are well away from the area around the stove.
Keep your stovetop and oven clean. Grease and food splatters can ignite at high temperatures, causing a fire.
Avoid wearing loose clothing while cooking. Loose clothing can catch fire if it comes in contact with the heating elements and cause severe burn injuries.
Keep kids away from cooking areas. If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners whenever possible and turn pot handles inward to reduce the risk that pots will be knocked over.
Have a tested and fully charged multi purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher handy. Remember, if you can’t put the fire out quickly, leave your home and immediately call the fire department for help from a safe location.

In workplaces, there are more and more kitchens in office buildings. Microwaves, kettles and even small ovens are being used. Keeping all appliances clean will reduce the likelihood of a kitchen fire; and remember, do not leave them unattended.

Always remember that a fire at home will seriously affect an employee’s ability to be a productive worker. A strong fire prevention program has a much broader impact than can be accounted for in simple dollars and cents.

Internet Links:

Fire Prevention Canada

Publications from the Fire Marshals Public Fire Safety Council

For further information or assistance, contact your nearest HRDC regional or district office.