Fire Prevention Week kicks off Sunday
October 6, 2023
The City of Fort St. John Fire Department is committed to the safety of our community, and Fire Prevention Week TM is just another example of that commitment. This year’s campaign is “Cooking safety starts with you. Pay attention to fire prevention.TM” which works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safer when cooking.
“Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Thankfully, you can prevent most cooking fires and burns and help keep your family safer with some simple but effective tips,” said City of Fort St. John Fire Chief Robert Norton.
Here are some cooking safety tips:
- Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
- Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
- On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
- If you have doubts about fighting the fire - just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
- Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.
During Fire Prevention Week, City of Fort St. John Fire Department crews will be visiting local elementary schools to discuss the importance of cooking safety. Further, the annual provincial Fire Prevention Week poster contest is open to all students in kindergarten to grade 12 – for more details, visit www.gov.bc.ca/firepreventionweek.
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