The North Grenville Fire Service is reminding residents of simple steps to prevent kitchen fires.
Fire Prevention Week runs from October 4th to the 10th with the theme “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!â„¢” Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in Ontario, according to North Grenville.
North Grenville Fire Chief John Okum says when they’re called to a fire that started in the kitchen, residents often say they only left the kitchen for a few minutes. Okum says that is all it takes to start a dangerous fire.
Fire safety tips from North Grenville include:
- Always stay in the kitchen when cooking and turn off the stove if you must leave the kitchen.
- Keep a proper fitting lid near the stove. If a pot of oil catches fire, slide the lid over the pot and turn off the stove. Do not move the pot. Never throw water on a burning pot.
- Keep anything that burns – plastic utensils, dishcloths, paper towels – at a safe distance away from the stove.
- Cook responsibly and be alert. You will not be alert if you have consumed alcohol or drugs.
- Wear tight-fitting or rolled up sleeves when using the stove. Loose, dangling clothing can easily catch fire.
- Keep young kids and pets at least one metre away from the stove. Turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge so they can’t be easily knocked off.
- If you burn yourself while cooking, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes. If the burn is severe, seek medical attention.
Mayor Nancy Peckford adds it’s tempting to multi-task while in the kitchen but the consequences can be disastrous. Councillor Kristin Strackerjan says the community can be kept safe by following tips from the Fire Service and being diligent while cooking food.
The North Grenville Fire Service has created an online contest about Kitchen Fire Safety for school-aged kids. Kids can fill out the Kitchen Safety Quiz and enter to win a fire safety gift from the North Grenville Fire Service here.