Fire Prevention Week

Kitchen Safety Tips

Cooking

• Have a home fire extinguisher, store it in an accessible place, and know how to use it.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food.
•  If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding a lid over the pan.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 1 metre around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. 
• To prevent overheating and ignition of cooking oil, fry foods in a temperature-controlled deep-fat fryer or skillet designed for a maximum temperature of 200 °C.
• Use back burners whenever possible and turn pot handles inward to reduce the risk of pots being knocked over.
• Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, and other items that can burn, away from your stovetop.
• In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat, and keep the door closed.
• If a fire starts in the microwave oven, leave the door closed, turn it off, and unplug it from the wall. 
  Get out and call 9-1-1.
• If you have a fire in your kitchen and your initial attempts to smother the flames do not work, leave your home, and call 9-1-1.

Smoke Alarms 

• Smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. 
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
• Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.
• Have an escape plan.