Ontario Fire Marshal Promotes Fire Safety in the Kitchen

Basic cooking tips part of Fire Prevention Week 2020

News.ontario.ca
October 5, 2020

To mark Fire Prevention Week 2020, Ontario's Office of the Fire Marshal encourages all Ontarians to take action to ensure they are safe from kitchen fires at home. The theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week is "Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen."

"Fire Prevention Week is an excellent time to teach and remind people what they can do to promote fire safety," said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. "With more people working at home than ever before, this week will focus on tips and tools for fire safety in the kitchen. I encourage all individuals and families to take the time to review their cooking practices to prevent fires and keep loved ones safe."

Simple steps to stay safe in the kitchen include:

• Always stay in the kitchen when cooking and turn the stove completely off if you must leave.
• 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 - a safe distance from the stove.
• Cook responsibly. To prevent cooking fires, you must be alert. You are not alert if you have consumed alcohol or drugs.
• Wear tight-fitted clothing or roll up your sleeves when using the stove. Loose, dangling clothing can easily catch fire.
• 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.
• 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.

"For most Ontario families, preparing food at home is part of daily life," said Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg. "Unfortunately, cooking fires occur all too often in Ontario. Making small changes to stay fire-safe can make a big difference in protecting you and your family."

Fire Prevention Week runs from October 4 to 10 in communities across the province.

Quick Facts

• Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in Ontario.
• Cooking is the second leading cause of fatal home fires in Ontario.

Ontarians can now follow the Office of the Fire Marshal on Twitter @ONFireMarshal for fire protection tips and information.