Kitchen Safety, The Focus Of Fire Prevention Week

A reminder from fire departments across the province, about the importance of Kitchen Safety, during Fire Prevention Week.

Moncton Fire Prevention officer Steve Richardson says they respond to more kitchen fires than people realise, “They can be catastrophic to the person who is looking after the food on the stove, or children can get hurt. We just want to remind people to be very careful around pots on the stove, or any type of cooking appliance, from toasters to toaster ovens to frying pans.”

Richardson says if you are cooking on the stove, keep a pot lid handy in case a fire breaks out in a pan, “You can quickly cover it, and hopefully put the flames out. If not, you should have a small fire extinguisher nearby. Keep your stovetops clean as well.”

Storing things on top of the stove is also not advised, “Some people will put a toaster or an electric kettle on the stove. We had one major fire, a toaster was left on the stovetop, and the person turned the wrong burner on. Luckily, no one was hurt,” Richardson says.

Dieppe District Fire Chief Marc Cormier says they have seen an increase in accidental kitchen fires in that community over the past several years.

Here are a few safety tips to prevent a cooking fire:

– Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling food. 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 have consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.
– Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearly 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” of at least 1 metre around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

Meantime, The Moncton and Dieppe Fire Departments will not be holding their annual open houses for Fire Prevention Week.

Thousands of people normally visit the Fire station during the event, but with COVID-19, it isn’t safe to do so this year.

Riverview Fire and Rescue is offering a virtual tour of their station on their Facebook page.