Fire Prevention Week Tips
The Saskatoon Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association®to promote this year’s Fire Prevension Week campaign, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire preventionTM.” The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“The most important ingredient in the kitchen is fire safety,” says Yvonne Raymer, Assistant Chief. “A cooking fire can grow quickly and unexpectedly. It’s important to use caution when cooking and to be watchful around heat and open flame. Making a few small changes in the kitchen can make a big difference in protecting you and your family.”
The Fire Department would like to remind residents of a few 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. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. 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 meter (three feet) around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
- Wear tight-fitted clothing or roll up your sleeves when using the stove. Loose, dangling clothing can easily catch fire.
In addition to making sure everyone knows about kitchen safety, every household should have working smoke alarms. Residents are encouraged to check smoke alarm batteries monthly and have the batteries replaced yearly or when an alarm is chirping.
To learn more about cooking safety and other fire safety tips, visit saskatoon.ca/firesafety.
For general information about Fire Prevention Week and other fire prevention resources, visit nfpa.org/fpw.
Source: City of Saskatoon
