Fire Prevention Week 2020 - Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen

Fire Prevention Week runs from October 4 to 10, 2020, and the Fort St. John Fire Department is serving up Fire Safety in the Kitchen! Together with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years, the campaign works to educate everyone about simple but meaningful actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe. According to the Office of the Fire Commissioner, cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires and home fire injuries in British Columbia.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has kept many of us at home more often this year, so this year's Fire Prevention Week theme of Serving Up Safety in the Kitchen is extremely relevant. Additionally, we want to remind you that working smoke alarms save lives. In the past five years, over 40% of residential fires in the Fort St. John area didn't have working smoke alarms!" Captain Marco D'Agostino, Fire Prevention Officer with the Fort St. John Fire Department.

While the Fort St. John Fire Department cannot hold community events or visit local schools this year, we have created a short video, above, and share the following kitchen safety tips:

• Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly - remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you're cooking.
• You have to be alert when cooking. You won't be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.
• Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you're cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
• Have a "kid-free zone" – Leave at least 1 metre around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week and fire safety tips, visit www.fortstjohn.ca/fire-prevention. 

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Media Contact:
Ryan Harvey
Communications Coordinator
250 794 3313