Fire Prevention Week 2020 serves up fire safety in the kitchen

Fire Prevention Week 2020 runs from October 4 through 10 and focuses on kitchen fire safety. The Highlands East Fire Department is urging everyone to take some simple steps to prevent kitchen fires in their home. 

The Highlands East Fire Department will not be doing a door-to-door campaign this year due to COVID-19 safety concerns. Please test your smoke-alarms and CO-detectors and if you require assistance please contact Fire Chief Baughman.

Simple steps to serve up fire safety in the kitchen

• 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 - a safe distance from the stove.
• Cook responsibly. To prevent cooking fires, you must 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 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.

Fire Chief's message

Cooking happens in homes every day, and it has to be done responsibly to ensure it is done safely. It is your responsibility to protect yourself and your family from fire. Always remain alert and stay in the kitchen while cooking.

Often when we're called to a fire that started in the kitchen, the residents tell us they only left the kitchen for a few minutes. But that's all it takes for a dangerous fire to start. Help keep our community safe by preventing fires from starting in the first place.

- Fire Chief Baughman